iPod

iPod shuffle could be next on the chopping block

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 8, 2015

The diminutive iPod shuffle, Apple's $49 clip-and-go music player, could get phased out in the near future as supplies of the device are dwindling across retail channels.

As noted by 9to5Mac, iPod shuffle shipping times on the Online Apple Store dropped to 7-10 days while Apple Retail Stores appear to have run out of stock around the country.

Contrast this to the iPod touch and nano, both of which continue to be available within 24 hours. Originally launched in January 2005 and having been through multiple iterations and form factor changes, the device hasn't been updated since September 2010 and therefore could easily be the next iPod model to fall victim of consumers' changing habits.

Apple did not harm consumers with iTunes’ FairPlay digital rights management, ruling finds

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2014

Apple's proprietary digital rights management software, FairPlay, that prevented users from loading songs from rival music stores on early iPods, did not harm consumers nor did it violate the United States antitrust laws, an eight-person jury has determined.

As reported by The Verge, the jurors have sided with Apple in a decade-long suit and have not found Apple guilty of exploiting FairPlay DRM as a lock-in preventing rival music stores from syncing with iPods. Though the iPhone maker is off the hook now, an appeal will be filed with a higher court.

Snarky comments revealed by Steve Jobs’ testimony in iPod class-action lawsuit

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 3, 2014

A decade-old class-action lawsuit over the iPod and Apple's practice of locking the media player to its iTunes ecosystem is kicking off this week and with it comes a videotaped deposition of Steve Jobs, recorded in 2011 shortly before he died.

It's full of snarky comments and as if that wasn't enough, attorneys have unearthed emails between Apple executives and other evidence casting light on the company's inner workings at the time.

The suit revolves around the iPod, iTunes and FairPlay, Apple's digital-rights management (DRM) system for copy-protection of music sold through the iTunes Store. FairPlay was dropped in 2007 following the 'Thoughts on Music' open letter by Steve.

Apple’s Black Friday kicks off with iTunes Gift Card deals on qualifying purchases

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Apple this morning kicked off its Black Friday sale with $25-$100 (PRODUCT)RED iTunes Gift Cards on qualifying Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV and Beats by Dr. Dre purchases. Once your iTunes Gift Card has been redeemed, you can use your iTunes credit toward any purchase on the iTunes Store, including media and apps.

In addition to donating the proceeds from (RED) apps to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS until December 7, Apple will also automatically donate a portion of retail sales to the Global Fund to support the fight against AIDS.

Apple’s cheaper iPod touch lineup now rolling out internationally

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 1, 2014

A week ago, Apple made some interesting changes to its lineup of the iPod touch media players. In addition to the cheaper $199/$249/$299 price points for 16/32/64GB models, the baseline model now has a rear camera like the 16 and 32GB variants.

Initially launched in the United States only, the refreshed 16GB iPod touch with a rear camera on Tuesday began rolling out across a number of Apple's key markets around the world, including in the UK, France, Italy and elsewhere...

Refurbished iPod touch now starts at just $149

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2014

Apple today discounted the entire iPod touch lineup by a cool fifty bucks while at the same time supplanting the entry-level model with sixteen gigabytes of storage with a slightly improved variant.

Not only is the baseline model now cheaper, it puts back a rear-facing five-megapixel iSight camera while introducing six color finishes available across the rest of the lineup.

Lower prices across the board ($199/$249/$299) have prompted Apple to slash prices on the fifth-generation iPod touch refurbs accordingly, now starting at $149 for the just-replaced 16GB model...

Apple reshuffles iPod touch lineup: lower prices, new $199 model with rear camera in six colors

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2014

Apple on Thursday quietly refreshed its aging iPod touch lineup with a new $199 entry-level model with sixteen gigabytes of storage and a rear camera added to the mix.

Additionally, existing iPod touch models with 32 and 64 gigabytes of storage have been slashed to $249 and $299, respectively.

The lineup now comprises of the 16/32/64GB variants priced at $199/$249/$299 and offered in black, space grey, pink, yellow, blue and (Product)RED. The media players are now available through the Online Apple Store and ship within 24 hours...

Analyst makes case for Apple replacing iPod touch with iWatch

Jake Smith ∙ April 22, 2014

Apple is planning to start production of the iWatch in multiple screen sizes during the fourth quarter of 2014, Christopher Caso, an analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group, said in a note to investors on Tuesday.

Caso is reiterating what a lot of analysts and reports have already said, adding that two versions of the iWatch are likely and that Apple is planning production targets of five million to six million units in the fourth quarter of 2014. Caso adds one other interesting bit - the iWatch could essentially replace the iPod, which may make a lot of sense...

Upcoming large-screened iPhone described as a cross between iPhone 5c and iPod nano

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

There have been numerous attempts at envisioning what Apple's next iPhone might look like, especially as the likes of Reuters and The Wall Street Journal jumped on the iPhablet bandwagon calling for two new large-screened iPhones, one with a 4.7-inch display and the other rocking a screen that seemingly measures at least five inches diagonally.

A new report by the rather accurate Japanese blog Macotakara now claims that the upcoming iPhones will expand on rather than replace the current four-inch four factor offered by the iPhone 5/5s/5c, with the bigger model classed as a phablet...

Job listings suggest Apple’s working on new iPod product

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

During the latest Apple earnings call, CEO Tim Cook commented that his team has known for a while that the iPod is a declining business. Sales for the nearly 15-year-old product line have essentially been on the decline since 2008.

As you can imagine, this coupled with the fact that the iPod line hasn't received any major updates since 2012, has led to speculation that the mp3 player is on its way out. But a few recently-discovered Apple job listings suggest otherwise...

Tim Cook: we’ve known for some time that ‘iPod is a declining business’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple posted some huge sales numbers for the holiday quarter earlier today. During the 3-month period, the company sold 51 million iPhones, 26 million iPads—both records—and a surprisingly high 4.8 million Macs. But not all of its device sales were impressive.

iPod sales decreased by more than 50% since last year's holiday quarter, with Apple selling just 6 million units during the time frame. And during the company's earnings call, Tim Cook admitted that it has known for some time that the iPod is a declining business...

iPads and iPods reportedly coming to Staples online store next Tuesday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

In another sweeping showing of Tim Cook's operational expertise and penchant for cutting deals, Apple is now rumored to be expanding the iPad's reach soon by bringing the device to the United States office supply retail chain, Staples. Talk of Staples gearing up to sell iPhones, iPads and Macs dates back to early-March of this year.

That's when MacRumors leaked internal training documents which indicated that at least some Staples locations would start selling a broader range of Apple products, including Macs, iPads and iPhones.

A new report Thursday has now asserted that several iPad and iPod models will be offered through the Staples Online Store in the United States...