Apple's iPod: is the end nigh?

[Simon]

Few pieces of technology can genuinely claim to be iconic. But Apple's iPod, first launched in 2001, arguably fits the bill.

With its distinctive click-wheel design, and those ubiquitous white bud headphones, the iPod brought good looks to portable audio technology - with a "cool" factor not seen since Sony's Walkman over a decade earlier.

And for the record industry, a sigh of relief - the iPod's accompanying music store iTunes paved the way for legal digital music downloading to hit the mainstream, tempting at least some music fans away from the free-for-all of piracy.

But 12 years, and 26 devices later, the generation-defining iPod range looks like it's about to fade into history without so much as a whimper.

"I think all of us have known for some time that iPod is a declining business," said Apple boss Tim Cook earlier this week, speaking during a conference call discussing the company's latest earnings report.

He announced massive profits - as ever - but noted that iPod sales had dipped: 52% down on this time last year, with further drops expected.

That's not bad, or even surprising, news for the company. The people who would have previously bought iPods are now more likely to buy iPhones or iPads.

But it's bad news for the humble iPod - a tiny-but-mighty device that many say was the catalyst that propelled Apple into its boom era of iPhones and iPads.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25927366

I just wish they'd make an iPhone with the same capacity as the classic iPods (160Gb) for a reasonable price.

[Clive]

I was late starter with the iPod but I play mine all the time now.  I have a nice Sony docking station. 

[Gary]

Who cares I think is what most people think. If they buy a modern smartphone  they can have that capability built in. The iPod is about as dead as Apple is as far as creativity is concerned at this moment in time. They rode the iPod and iPhone as far as they could and became a victim of their own success.

[Technical Ben]

The only two I'd consider getting would be the shuffle for size, and the mini, but only the older square one, for the colour screen and form factor. Using a phone or other device is just so much easier now. Though it's sometimes handy to have it without the phone part in there.

I'd say the best option would be a memory card/usb compatible headset kit. Plug a memory card or usb stick direct into the headphones (or visa/versa). But as it's a memory card, and not something they can control, I don't think they would ever do it. Perhaps just integrate into the headset? Then they make loads of money in replacement headsets

[Simon]

I ran out of space on my iPhone, so bought a 160Gb iPod Classic, just to stick music on.  I hate that Apple have changed the bottom connector on the recent devices, as I have three Sony docks which sound really nice. 

[Lona]

I still use the very first Ipod shuffle 1st generation as I can go swimming with it. I have a waterproof casing along with waterproof earphones which I've used for years and it's never leaked once.  You can't do that with an Iphone. I upgraded to the Nano but the waterproof casing leaked.

The first shuffle was the best model which gives a maximum of 1gig.  I just change the music when I get fed up listening to some tracks. I don't like itunes and which there was other software I could use to transfer my music.

[Den]

I have a iPod classic and a iPod touch but I don't use them as much as I used to. When we have people around for a meal and want some background music I use my iPad or desktop with my Bose Airplay system which is a much better way of controlling the music and a great sound.