Last night Apple revealed plans to discontinue the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle, and people are gutted.
In a statement, Apple representatives said: “Today, we are simplifying our iPod line-up 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.”
This comes three years after the discontinuing of the iPod Classic in 2014, leaving the iPod touch the only product left with the ‘iPod” name.
The original iPod launched in 2001, advertising itself as a way to carry 1,000 sings in your pocket. The Shuffle and Nano both followed a few years later in 2005, and remained on the market for over ten years.
And now, after over a decade on the market, technophiles are saying goodbye to the seminal product:
https://twitter.com/JamieQuade/status/890669803672805376
And sharing their experiences with the two music players:
I'm on my fifth iPod Shuffle since 2005. Two lost (they're tiny), two used until the battery drained. They're so good for running. Man.
— Josh O'Kane (@joshokane) July 27, 2017
Since the original product launched in 2001, Apple have sold more than 400 million iPods, whereas iPhone sales hit one billion in July 2016.
But even the love people have for the original iPod products couldn’t contend with the rise in streaming services – where you can have all your music on your phone and there’s no need to download MP3s.
Users are now going through the five stages of grief as they mourn the loss of the legendary products, starting with denial:
I am to be quite frank DEVASTATED. What am I supposed to do? I refuse to believe this monstrosity #RIPiPod #ripiPodNano #RIPipodshuffle pic.twitter.com/rLHgWzPsV0
— Amy (@Amelia_mcJ) July 28, 2017
Which turns to anger:
What do you mean #RIPiPod? Where am I gonna listen to my music now? I'm not wasting my phone space.
— ????? (@thisisemely_) July 28, 2017
Yo if my iPod stops working imma boycott, do you think my phone can handle 800 songs????? #RIPiPod
— naz ♡ (@nazahah99) July 28, 2017
The attempts at bargaining:
https://twitter.com/mccomiskey_jenn/status/890888059851599873
Then depression:
I'm so sad they discontinued the iPod nano. Even after 7 years I still use mine and refuse to put music on my phone or use Spotify #RIPiPod
— Lonely Boy (@HeWasNumberJuan) July 28, 2017
#RIPiPod ?????????????????????
— jen (@jen6690) July 28, 2017
My heart… It is broken. #RIPiPod
— Alec Tesznar (@atesznar) July 28, 2017
And finally, acceptance:
My iPod Shuffle was one of my favourite Apple products. Got me through so much man.✌️❤️#RIPiPod
— Ali Aljoubory (@AliAljoubory) July 28, 2017
#RIPiPod You were a game changer! pic.twitter.com/7Wf47XZeSB
— Unsuperdude (@unsuperdude) July 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/Ste_P/status/890871536864952321
RIP iPod Nano and Shuffle, you were brilliant.