It’s the end of an era as Apple (AAPL) discontinues the iconic iPod, a ground-breaking digital
music player that disrupted the technology sector and led to the development of the iPhone.
Apple announced that it would discontinue the iPod Touch, the last of a product line that first
went on sale in 2001. The touch-screen model, which launched in 2007, will remain on sale until
supplies run out, the company said.
Apple released dozens of versions of the iPod over the years, but the product was gradually
eclipsed by the company’s other devices, notably the iPhone. That led Apple to begin phasing
out iPod models in 2014.
The iPod Touch, which was popular as a cheap alternative to the iPhone, held on a few more
years. That device was last updated in 2019 and cost $199 U.S. compared to $429 U.S. for the
iPhone SE.
But with so many other ways to get music, Apple said it no longer sees the iPod as a necessary
product.
Introduced by Steve Jobs, the iPod was credited with helping to turn Apple from a nearly
bankrupt company to the $3 trillion U.S. behemoth that it is today. The iPod set the stage for the
development of the iPhone, iPad and AirPods, products that now make up the bulk of Apple’s
revenue.
