No matter how good a certain product line is, there comes a time when its producer decides to discontinue it and come up with a new line. That would be something absolutely normal, if the nature of global economy these days wouldn't turn it into a nightmare, in some cases. Why? Just look around and think about all those new product lines, or even minor updates, having more problems than previous ones. I don't know about the iPod updates much, but I know one thing - I got a Sansa e250 MP3 player, with a big hope - to install Rockbox on it. Guess what? The updated version doesn't support Rockbox! Well, let's get back to our iPods now, shall we?
According to latest reports from iPod resellers, the current line is drawing its last breath as we speak, since those familiar with Target's inventory management claim all current iPod models, except the iPod Touch, of course, have seen their status changed from "Active" to "Discontinued." Obviously, this is only the end of the current line, and the dawn of a new iPod age, expected to start next month, if all previous hints were correct.
Rumors from the UK are saying that big-box retailer Argos is expected to cut prices of its remaining iPod inventory by the end of the month, or maybe during the first week of September.
In a note to clients, Lehman Brothers analyst Ben Reitzes said "We continue to believe Apple will need to reposition the iPod touch line in conjunction with its anticipated new product announcement in early to mid-September now that the iPhone acquisition price is lower," while Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster wrote in a note to clients that "Specifically, we believe Apple will increase the capacity of the iPod shuffles as well as the iPod nanos (but maintain current price points); redesigned form factors for the shuffles and nanos are unlikely. We believe the iPod touch may be redesigned and may enter the $199 price point, in line with the iPhone."
$199 iPod Touch? Sure, bring it on! Just don't change its back with a plastic one, pretty please! I guess we're talking about iPod updates, not iPod downgrades, right? Other than that, I hardly wait to see the new iPod line coming up. Who knows, maybe I'll even drop my Sansa for one of those, if they prove to be that good!
Bose iPod Dock - Black!, on August 22, 2008
[...] showInitialOdiogoReadNowFrame ("129104", "901", 290, 0); Now that the current iPod line is near the end of its life, buying iPod accessories could be considered risky by some people who are more paranoid than the [...]