Your choices for buying an iPod just got cut by two-thirds, as Apple officially removed the iPod nano and iPod shuffle from its website and store shelves on Thursday. The iPod touch is the only device still carrying the “iPod” moniker, and is available in 32GB and 128GB models, priced at $199 and $299, respectively.
If you hurry, you might still be able to grab a nano or shuffle model from your local Apple Store or reseller, but move fast. Apple had last updated the specs on the iPod nano in October 2012. The iPod shuffle hadn’t seen any update love since September 2010. Not that the iPod touch has fared much better, standing pat since July 2015, with its ancient A8 chip and 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Apple introduced the iPod shuffle in January 2005, followed by the iPod nano in September 2005. iPod sales have been declining every year, as Apple’s customer base has shown a preference for the Cupertino firm’s iPhone, which does everything the iPod does, and makes phone calls.
iPod sales are reported to have peaked at 54.8 million in 2008. Six years later, iPod sales had shrunk to 14.3 million (2014). 2014 is the last year Apple reported iPod sales as a separate figure. Sales of the music player are now grouped under the “Other Products” umbrella, which also includes the Apple Watch and accessories.
