Over at TechCrunch, Matthew Panzarino was able to run some tests on the newly updated iPod touch.
Apple clearly wanted to get this device into the world ahead of WWDC next week, so it will be interesting to see if, perhaps, that means new software like iOS 13 will no longer run on A8 chips, and thus Apple needed to modernize the iPod before announcing that new version of iOS. The new iPod touch is available today to order from, and will be available in Apple Stores later this week. Pricing for the lower tiers of storage remains $199 and $299 as before, and the new model comes in at $399. Joining the 32GB and 128GB models, you can now get an iPod touch with 256GB of storage. One thing that’s new, however, besides the upgraded A10 chip, is that there’s now a higher storage capacity available. The device is available in Pink, Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Blue, and (PRODUCT)RED finishes, just as it was before. It keeps the previous generation’s basic form factor, including the same 4-inch display and headphone jack.
Lots about the new iPod remains the same. The device starts at the same $199 price as before, but it’s been upgraded in a couple of ways, such as adding an A10 Fusion chip to replace the previous generation’s A8, which among other things enables Group FaceTime and augmented reality features. Today Apple announced an updated version of its last remaining iPod product, the iPod touch. As Federico and I discussed on this week’s episode of AppStories, there is plenty of room for improvement with Apple Music, and the HomePod mini feels like part of an incomplete lineup after the original HomePod was discontinued. Is the end of the touch a precursor to something bigger coming with Apple Music, the HomePod, or other products? I hope so. With a month to go before WWDC, now is the time that Apple often clears the decks for bigger announcements. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio - there’s no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music. We’ve integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. “Music has always been part of our core at Apple, and bringing it to hundreds of millions of users in the way iPod did impacted more than just the music industry - it also redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and shared. Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Greg Joswiak, had this to say about the legacy of the entire iPod lineup: Over the years, though, the touch has been updated less frequently as its role was absorbed by hand-me-down iPhones and other products.Īlthough the timing of Apple’s decision makes sense, it’s still a little sad to see the iPod touch go. The iPod touch was introduced in 2007, the same year as the iPhone, as a sort of phone-less iPhone that became an entry-level iOS device for kids and others who didn’t need or want the iPhone’s mobile phone functionality.
The iPod, which debuted in 2001, played a significant role in Apple’s comeback as a company. Apple has announced that it is discontinuing the iPod touch.Īs the last iPod in Apple’s lineup, the end of the iPod touch marks the end of an era for Apple.