Guardian posts a retrospective piece about the original iPod and points out that the Classic iPod design has not been updated since late 2009.
The iPod Classic, as the famous scroll-wheel design is now known, hasn't been updated now since September 2009, with a modest capacity jump from 120GB to 160GB. On the Apple Online Store, shipping times have slipped from 24 hours to 1-3 days. Across the US, several major retailers have reported short supplies, leading to speculation the device may soon be discontinued. It didn't even warrant a mention at Apple's annual Developers Conference in 2010. "The iPod's essentially finished, give or take," says Dr Alice Enders, a former senior economist at the World Trade Organisation who now reports on global music markets for media consultancy Enders Analysis.
The iPod was originally launched in 2001 and laid the groundwork for Apple's resurgence this past decade. The article gives a nice lookback at the iPod.
Reception to the original iPod launch was mixed. Our own forum responses are interesting to look back on, 10 years later.
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Top Rated Comments
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I have no use for an Mp3 player.
My house has a CD player.
My car has a CD player.
My Mac has a CD player
I don't use headphones.
The iPod requires me to change my lifestyle to meet it's needs..."
I agree entirely. I did the same thing, and can't imagine going back without it. 160gb is big enough for my mp3 collection, however, it is not nearly big enough for my FLAC collection.
At the end of the day, is it worth it for Apple to be producing a piece of equipment like this anymore?
As most people go the more streaming route, I doubt that a 500gb / 1tb hard drive will be cheap enough for mass appeal, and I realy don't think there are that many people like us anymore!
I have my iPod line-out connected to my Fiio E17 USB for headphone amplification, and it is a pretty high-fidelity mobile solution. I love it, but I don't think I'm really helping Apple's bottom line all that much
And the first ipod had firewire?!?!?! What is this! We've downgraded!
I personally like the "big" capacity of the classic but am not a fan of the UI. Although, I don't think the UI of the iPod Touch/iPhone is the best for a music only device either. Anyway, I'm glad I have the 160GB classic as it fits all my music right now and at least for a few years probably. I would like to see Apple revamp it completely and make it better and easier to use/more intuitive in every way and hooking it up with that 220GB HDD release a while ago instead of just killing it off and introducing a 128GB iPod Touch. I don't think this will happen though. :(