At some point we've probably all been surprised to learn that, yes, Apple does still make iPods—those ancient machines that were designed specifically for listening to music.
Many of us probably bought our last one circa 2006 or so.
Well, in very short order you won't be able to buy any of them—at least not any new ones:
Apple is discontinuing the iPod touch, the last version of the portable music player it still sells.
The announcement ends an era of digital music that Apple kicked off when it first introduced the iPod in 2001, boasting of its ability to hold "up to 1,000 CD-quality songs into an ultra-portable, 6.5 ounce design that fits in your pocket."
The first version of the iPod touch, which more closely resembles the iPhone, was introduced in 2007. The latest version was introduced in 2019.
Ahh. Who could forget the first iPod? It was a revolution in a box. It had a nice, dense little heft to it, the screen was beautiful to look at even if it was monochromatic, and—oh man—who could forget that immensely satisfying clickwheel?
It was a simpler time. The iPod was a device meant solely for listening to music. It wasn't meant for listening to music while updating your TikTok and checking your email while playing Wordle and texting your brunch group. It was purpose-built, focused, and deliberate.
It was, in many ways, sort of the last link to a world in which listening to music was a more singular act rather than just one of like nine different digital things we do at the same time today.
Well done, iPod, and RIP. We'll surely see you again on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace!
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