On October 23, 2001 Apple announced that they would be releasing the iPod, a pocket-sized portable music-playing device. On May 10, 2022, the company revealed that this product line will be discontinued.  

After twenty long years of the iPod being sold, Apple decided it was time for the iPod to part, “Today, the experience of taking one’s music library out into the world has been integrated across Apple’s product line — from iPhone and Apple Watch to iPad and Mac — along with access to more than 90 million songs and over 30,000 playlists available via Apple Music,” Apple announced.

This essentially means that Apple has integrated all of the features of the iPod series into their other, more advanced devices, so there is no longer a need for the product.  Apple opened up Apple Music which is available on the newer devices, so music listening is much more accessible.

Communications High School Freshman, Sam Kovach, from Avon by the Sea says, “ Compared to the company’s newer pieces of technology like the Apple Watch and phones like the iPhone 13, the iPod seemed dated and as if it no longer had a use. The iPod, however, has the nostalgic feel of childhood for some and it will be rough for them to see it apart. 

The iPod essentially opened the doors for Apple’s success, by putting music all in one compact device and dominating the field for online music downloads, according to Insider. This went on to impact society by personalizing people’s music listening experience, according to The Coversation.com.

This change makes room for newer, more technologically advanced products to make an entrance to the company. According to CNET, Apple is rumored to be releasing AR glasses within the next year. There is no definite proof that these will be released, nonetheless it can still be mind boggling to think about. Only the future can hold Apple’s next move as a company and what removing the old and making room for the new can cause.