Both the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle were released in 2005 and although they had successes during their time, perhaps the time has come to kill them once and for all?
The issue with these music players is that they are horribly outdated and not with the times. As of right now, they are unable to use streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. Instead, users have to purchase music from iTunes, but the iPod Nano can stream FM radio once headphones or earbuds are plugged in.
And honestly, it has practically come to the point where everyone knows that these devices cannot support the streaming services, so as a result, they usually don’t sell well. Obviously, we do not have the exact numbers, but compared to other Apple devices, the iPod Nano and Shuffle do not sell well, hence another reason why the iPod as a whole is in the “Other” category when Apple reveals their quarterly earnings.
Today, it’s all about streaming services and smartphones. There are hardly any people that still use these iPods and the ones that still use an iPod (like myself) are using the iPod Touch, which has internet access, therefore is compatible with playing music from Apple Music and Spotify.
One of the biggest issues with the iPod Nano and Shuffle, specifically the Nano; the price. Apple currently asks for $150 for the newest version of the iPod Nano, which is overpriced. Apple’s iPod Shuffle only runs for $50, but I still believe that the price could be dropped to around $30 IF Apple wants to keep selling it. $50 for a device that does not have streaming options and still having to buy music from iTunes is not attractive to customers.
All in all, even though the commercials back in the day were cool and revolutionary, it may just be time for Apple to kill off the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle. The products don’t sell all that well now and are not up to date with how the music industry works.