Apple to discontinue iPod Nano & Shuffle

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has discontinued the production of its iconic iPod Nano and iPod Shuffles, leaving only multi-use devices available.

The iPod Nano and Shuffle devices were both launched in 2005. 54.8 million iPods were sold at their peak in 2008, but sales tumbled to 14.3 million in 2014. The tech giant has stopped reporting numbers since.

“Today, we are simplifying our iPod lineup with two models of iPod touch now with double the capacity starting at just $199 and we are discontinuing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano,” said Apple via an emailed statement.

Both devices are part of a long list of single-use devices that have been killed off by the smartphone, which is able to do everything an iPod did but with a touchscreen interface and smaller storage than an iPod.

When the iPod Shuffle was released in 2005, it was a controversial yet innovative gadget that left users in the dark to which of the potential 500 songs stored would play next.

Steve Jobs debuted the iPod Nano by taking it out of the coin wallet in his jeans. The iPod was many users first Apple device, which was then able to pave the way for the iPhone launched in 2007.

What has really contributed to the death of the iPod is the dawn of streaming music, through apps such as Spotify and Apple Music. These apps provided users with millions of songs without the user having to own a vast library of music.

“Makes sense: No place for iPod Nano & Shuffle when music means Apple Music.” said consumer tech analyst with Creative Strategies, Carolina Milanesi.

Original iPods are now considered collectors items in the tech community, with listings on eBay selling iPods for over £500.

Earlier this year Apple announced plans to return to the world of music. They debuted their voice-controlled HomePod speaker in June.