Goodbye, iPod Classic

Doug Gross, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 6:00 PM EDT, Wed September 10, 2014
As the world was introduced to the Apple Watch and a new generation of iPhones on Tuesday, Apple quietly removed the iPod Classic from its website. Here's a look back at the digital-music workhorse and other iPods through the years.
iPods through the years —
As the world was introduced to the Apple Watch and a new generation of iPhones on Tuesday, Apple quietly removed the iPod Classic from its website. Here's a look back at the digital-music workhorse and other iPods through the years.
Jonathan Zufi
Announced October 23, 2001, the original iPod came out roughly eight months after Apple introduced iTunes. It was originally compatible only with Mac computers, and sales wouldn't truly surge until 2004, after it had begun working with Windows as well. Apple boasted that it could hold up to 1,000 songs digitally.
Original iPod —
Announced October 23, 2001, the original iPod came out roughly eight months after Apple introduced iTunes. It was originally compatible only with Mac computers, and sales wouldn't truly surge until 2004, after it had begun working with Windows as well. Apple boasted that it could hold up to 1,000 songs digitally.
Getty Images
Two years later came the iPod Mini, which, as its name suggests, was smaller than the original but at 4 GB could hold the same number of songs. It came in five colors and introduced the iPod "click wheel" that would last for years.
iPod Mini —
Two years later came the iPod Mini, which, as its name suggests, was smaller than the original but at 4 GB could hold the same number of songs. It came in five colors and introduced the iPod "click wheel" that would last for years.
Getty Images
Later in 2004, Apple also offered the iPod Photo, which, in addition to adding multiple colors to the original iPod design, could hold 25,000 photos. It would later be reintegrated into the iPod line as advances in mobile tech made its novelty less ... novel.
iPod Photo —
Later in 2004, Apple also offered the iPod Photo, which, in addition to adding multiple colors to the original iPod design, could hold 25,000 photos. It would later be reintegrated into the iPod line as advances in mobile tech made its novelty less ... novel.
Getty Images
Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPod Shuffle, which rolled out in 2005. Considered an "entry-level" iPod, it was small but gave up some storage space in return and less expensive than previous models. Designed for exercise and other uses on the go, it came with a lanyard, and accessories included an armband and waterproof case. The latest model comes with a clip and costs just $49.
iPod Shuffle —
Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPod Shuffle, which rolled out in 2005. Considered an "entry-level" iPod, it was small but gave up some storage space in return and less expensive than previous models. Designed for exercise and other uses on the go, it came with a lanyard, and accessories included an armband and waterproof case. The latest model comes with a clip and costs just $49.
Getty Images
Apple's newest iPod nano features a 2.5-inch screen, comes in a variety of colors and is the thinnest iPod ever. The original came out in late 2005 and replaced the iPod Mini.
iPod nano —
Apple's newest iPod nano features a 2.5-inch screen, comes in a variety of colors and is the thinnest iPod ever. The original came out in late 2005 and replaced the iPod Mini.
Apple
The Touch was released in 2007, just months after the first iPhone, and you could already see Apple's two iconic products coming together. To this day, users jokingly call the Touch an iPhone without the phone.
iPod Touch —
The Touch was released in 2007, just months after the first iPhone, and you could already see Apple's two iconic products coming together. To this day, users jokingly call the Touch an iPhone without the phone.
There have been six generations of the iPod Classic. As the digital music players get smaller and more colorful, the Classic maintains the form of the original and can hold a whopping 160 GB worth of media: roughly 40,000 songs.
iPod Classic —
There have been six generations of the iPod Classic. As the digital music players get smaller and more colorful, the Classic maintains the form of the original and can hold a whopping 160 GB worth of media: roughly 40,000 songs.
Apple
Despite all the options, some users say they'll miss the Classic and its ability to house virtually their entire music collection.
iPhone family —
Despite all the options, some users say they'll miss the Classic and its ability to house virtually their entire music collection.
Courtesy Matthew Riegler/Wikimedia Commons
iPods: A look back at Apple's music player

Story highlights

Apple has discontinued the iPod Classic

Not updated since 2009, the Classic looked much like the original iPod

It had 160 GB of storage, enough for 40,000 songs

It was removed from Apple's website during Tuesday's iPhone, Apple Watch event

CNN  — 

As the tech world watched the birth of the Apple Watch on Tuesday, another iconic device from the Cupertino company was being laid to rest.

The iPod Classic, the (relatively) big and blocky version of Apple’s music player that represented the straightest line back to its original form, was quietly removed from the company’s lineup on Tuesday

Is the Apple Watch a game-changer?

The signs had been there for a while. Apple hadn’t updated the the Classic since 2009 and had quit mentioning it, even at iPod-specific events.

But some loyalists still love it. Although it doesn’t have the touchscreens of new models like the Touch and is downright huge in comparison with the sleek Nano and miniscule Shuffle, the Classic packed a whopping 160 GB of storage.

That’s enough to hold 40,000 songs, according to Apple.

Hands-on with the new Apple Watch

On social media, users were reacting with real emotion, bidding farewell to a “good buddy” and “old friend.” To some, it was perhaps a bit of nostalgia, losing the only remaining iPod that bears a resemblance to the original and other early models.

For others, it was about the utility of the thing. Sure, it’s bigger and bulkier. But it holds 40,000 songs!

“Farewell #iPodClassic,” wrote London tech consultant Phillip Downer on Twitter. “Replacing a device that does one thing supremely well with multiple gadgets doing multiple things quite well.”

Take a look at our gallery above, which looks back at the Classic and other iPod models through the years.

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