Apple to discontinue iPod Touch

Summary

Apple Inc. has announced the discontinuation of the iPod Touch, marking the end of the iPod product line after two decades.

Abstract

On May 10, 2022, Apple declared that the iPod Touch would be discontinued, signaling the conclusion of the iPod era. The iPod Touch, which shared aesthetic similarities with the iPhone, was a significant success, with over 100 million units sold between 2007 and 2013. The iPod line, which began with the original iPod in 2001, has seen over 390 million devices sold globally up until 2014. Despite the discontinuation of the iPod Nano and Shuffle in 2017, the iPod Touch remained the last standing model until now. Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Greg Joswiak, reflected on the iPod's impact on music discovery, consumption, and sharing, emphasizing that the spirit of the iPod lives on through Apple's other products and services, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod mini, and Apple Music.

Opinions

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, expressed that music has been integral to Apple's identity and that the iPod has profoundly influenced not just the music industry but also the way people engage with music.
The iPod is recognized for revolutionizing music discovery, listening, and sharing, and its legacy continues to be felt across Apple's product ecosystem.
Apple emphasizes that the high-quality music experience once epitomized by the iPod is now seamlessly integrated across all Apple devices, with Apple Music offering industry-leading sound quality and spatial audio support.

Apple, discontinuing iPod Touch, is to end the iPod product line

Apple Inc’s iPod Touch

Apple Inc, on Tuesday, 10 May 2022, announced the company will be discontinuing sale of the iPod Touch. The device, from today, will only be available while supplies last.

The portable music playing device could be confused for Apple’s iPhone. The aesthetic similarities between the two devices, especially the sixth and seventh generation iPod Touch devices, are readily apparent.

No one can say Apple Inc’s iPod line, with 20 years under its metaphorical belt, hasn’t had a good run. More than 390 iPod devices, between 2001 and 2014, were sold globally.

The iPod line prior to Thursday, 27 July 2017. From left to right: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Touch

“Music has always been part of our core at Apple, and bringing it to hundreds of millions of users in the way iPod did impacted more than just the music industry — it also redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and shared,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio — there’s no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music.”

The iPod Touch, with the first generation introduced on Wednesday, 5 Sept. 2007, was an instant success. Reflecting the popularity of the product, between 2007 and 2013, approximately 100 million iPod Touch devices were purchased by avid Apple users.

The iPod Touch, by July 2017, was the last of Apple’s iPod line. Apple Inc, on Thursday, 27 July 2017, discontinued both the iPod Nano and the iPod Shuffle.

Discontinued iPod models. From left to right: iPod Classic (marketed as iPod classic and formerly iPod Video or just iPod), iPod 4th Generation, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle.

The original iPod, released on Tuesday, 23 Oct. 2001, was the beginning. The end is nigh. There hasn’t been a new iPod Touch generation since Apple launched the seventh generation back in 2019.

United States

Apple to discontinue iPod Touch

Apple, discontinuing iPod Touch, is to end the iPod product line