"I think all of us have known for some time that iPod is a declining business."
Those were Tim Cook’s words during an Apple conference call discussing the company’s latest financial report. He, like many of us, have anticipated that the iPhone has long been the iPod’s replacement. People no longer need two devices, one for communication, one for music. The iPhone combined the two, making portable music players almost completely redundant.
Apple’s latest earnings report found that iPod sales were down 52% on the previous year, and the company is expecting further drops.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for Apple. For those consumers looking to store music, they are now more tempted by the more expensive and newer devices such as the iPhone or iPad, so while the company may be lacking in one area, they’re winning in the other, more profitable, areas.
However, there may still be a market for iPods, so let’s not rule them out completely. The iPod shuffle is still a handy device for gym-goers and runners, although many people have taken to strapping their phone to their arm to get the benefits from exercise apps. But if you just want music to run to, a small iPod shuffle clipped to your clothing is your best bet, as it doesn’t pose the risk of dropping and smashing the screen, or looking especially tempting to thieves.
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Another reason I believe iPods shouldn’t be discarded quite yet is the trend of technology nostalgia. Record players still sell and vinyl sales have risen over the past year. Film cameras are often favoured over their digital counterparts by dedicated photographers who love the authenticity of the image and the process of developing film. Even typewriters have become a vintage trend and hipsters everywhere are turning to the eighties to flaunt their ironically cool Sony walkmans.
iPods may not have the most features and will probably never see an update, but there’s always room for music on the go, and not necessarily from your phone. Stash your old device away just in case, bring it out for festivals and holidays, and prepare for the day when younger generations think an iPod Nano is like, so totally retro.
