It has been 12 years since Apple's iPod Nano and Shuffle were launched onto the audio scene. The software company has recently announced news it will discontinue both of the music listening devices just three years after stopping production on the iPod classic.
iPods were the first devices of their kind to allow consumers to have seemingly endless amounts of music in the palms of their hands. With no updates to the iPod Nano in the last five years, the inevitability of its demise has been apparent for some time.
Though the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle will be going by the wayside, the iPod Touch — the last product in the iPod family — will see Apple increasing its storage capacity to 64GB and 128GB.
The era of the MP3 player may be nearing its end due, in part, to Apple's desire to allow its iPhone to become the main console through which all activities are conducted. With streaming and streaming services becoming a main focal point of the music industry, it should come as no surprise that the software company would want to simplify its offerings.
An Apple spokesperson commented on the company's decision to give the ax to the iPod Nano and Shuffle while upping the capacity of the iPod Touch.
"Today, we are simplifying our iPod lineup with two models of iPod touch now [doubling] the capacity, starting at just $199, and we are discontinuing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano."
