Apple discontinues iPod nano and iPod shuffle

By

iPod nano
Apple pulls the plug on its old-school music players.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple pulled the iPod nano and iPod shuffle from its website today, confirming that the models have been discontinued.

The iPod touch, which just received a storage boost, remains as the company’s only dedicated music player.

Apple’s iPod business, largely credited with making the company a household name, has been crumbling since the rise of the iPhone. Very few people need a dedicated music player since they own a smartphone that does everything an iPod does and more.

Apple hasn’t updated the iPod nano and shuffle in more than two years, which indicates that Cupertino no longer considered them key products. Now that Apple has removed them entirely from its website, any remaining supplies must be purchased from its stores.

iPod nano and iPod shuffle discontinued

In a statement to The Verge, Apple confirmed both devices have been discontinued:

“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. The iPod touch is now available in 32GB and 128GB storage options, with the latter priced at $299.”

Aside from the capacity increases, both devices are identical to those that were on sale yesterday.

After 14 years on the market, Apple stopped reporting iPod sales at the beginning of 2015. The once booming business was no longer significant enough to warrant its own mention in the company’s quarterly earnings report.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.