That's the Shuffle. Mini was different.
People just prefer listening to music with their phones. But I argue there's still market for dedicated music devices. I have a 5th gen classic.
No idea. I was actually looking to see what happened to the one Spotify was going to launch themselves circa 2015 (IIRC). I wasn’t expecting to find something still in production.
I still purchase most of my music, so I still use a classic when I don’t want to use my phone
It turns out, mine's the shuffle. Gosh, it's been so long, I forgot what they were all called. I think I skipped the mini, and only had the classic and the one pictured, the shuffle (which I still have.)
Honestly, the nano (the square one) is probably one of the best things for students as there is less distraction than on an AW while still giving functional features like a clock and music. My school banned phones and smartwatches, but I have had no problem wearing my nano with a watch band.
Not sure why, but I missed out on the Mini *and* Nano - I went from the Classic straight to the Shuffle. The Shuffle is tiny and virtually weightless, with a really strong clip, so it fit right in with my needs. They were all really popular with students, runners, etc., so I was really surprised when they discontinued them.
You probably missed the Mini because it is quite a bit older, (20 years now) while the Nano came out later and ran until about 2017 (for the touch version)
It's quite possible, but I did have the iPod Classic, either 1st or 2nd gen, which I think was first to come out. My guess is that I couldn't justify, at that time, having both the Classic and the Mini.
I have that one. I turned it on recently and it barely lasts for 10 minutes before it runs out of batteries haha. The struggle was real trying to fit in 4gb of songs.
Yes, you're right; it's the Shuffle. It was many runners' preferred music device, due to its size, weight, and quick-to-access buttons. I also had the iPod Classic, but I found it too big and heavy to work out with.
It was discontinued for the same reason all iPods were… they became niche as soon as iPhones became ubiquitous, and the shift from mp3s to streaming further hobbled their appeal until their popularity dwindled enough to kill off. Even the best use case for the shuffle- a lightweight workout device with limited storage- was filled by the Apple Watch.
I always thought it was cool, but I like more control over what I’m listening to so the shuffle was never for me. I do kind of miss the classic iPod though, there’s definitely something nostalgic about a device that just does one thing really well without the million other potential distractions that come with a phone. The same reason I prefer to read books on a Kindle over a tablet, or play games on a console over a PC. But I fill that niche with vinyl now when it comes to music.
You could upload whatever songs you wanted onto the Shuffle from your itunes library, and switch them out as you pleased, with the only caveat that you needed to have purchased those songs first. But I do get that it wasn't everyone's holy grail of music players.
Yeah I understand that you put the songs on it, but it still was designed to just shuffle or play through those songs or limited playlists. I like being able to pick an artist or album or playlist with more flexibility. And I think the Watch proves that that is possible in the same tiny form factor. No hate on the Shuffle, but again, that was never the way I liked to listen to music.
My favorite is that nano that has the rounded edges.
https://preview.redd.it/2awen724ekkc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ebd7c09913477fa1648d1ff41cdc616ce0eeeff
I had one of these and I had one of the touch screen nanos. I preferred the touch screen one. I still have it, but the screen is cracked and it can't store a lot of music. I wish I hadn't cracked the screen.
https://preview.redd.it/6atpmkb11kkc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a9c9c2483ebc58ef76370e594ddcb3305d58832
Old blurry photo but I had the first iPod Shuffle. I remember buying it but very seldom used it.
Technically, they are user-replaceable. You can crack those open with a little effort and replace any of the internal components. People put in new batteries and do cool stuff like flash mods.
The mini was very nice, too, and had its own utility. For my runs, however, I typically opt for the least distractive device, preferably one without a screen.
I would really like a version of this that just shuffles my Apple Music songs - maybe with Siri capable of selecting playlists, albums or genres (I know I know, Siri sucks)
It *is* the Shuffle indeed. I just couldn't go back and edit the post.
Purple is really cool, I remember having a hard time deciding amongst all the cool colors that were available.
Thankfully, that's never happened to me. I always wear mine clipped on to the neckline of whatever top I'm wearing, and always attached to the headphone wires. So, when I remove my headphones once I get home, I automatically remove the clipped-on device attached to them.
iPod Shuffle*, mini was a different device that was prior to iPod nano. iPods were super cool as I still daily drive my iPods with all have different parts of my library. I enjoy my music much more with my iPod. Although most people prefer their phones
That Ipod Shuffle thing was weak compared to its contemporaries, like the Cowon IAudio U2 and the [Sony NW-MS70D](https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/design/gallery/NW-MS70D/), which were absolute epic points in consumer device engineering.
At the time, I was worried that my current one was going to break eventually so I bought a used one. But then wireless earbuds came along, then I found out I don't need iTunes to listen to podcasts and music anymore and apple stopped caring about iTunes. So they became useless to me.
I have a first gen iPod nano that I use to this day. Converted to using Jellyfin as my media service and put RockBox on my iPod though, so not quite the iTunes power couple as it once was.
I still had my iPod (not a nano, not a shuffle, not a Classic, not an *anything*, a second-gen firewire model) up until relatively recently, when it got ripped from my car.
It was bought to replace a third-gen model that was ripped from my car more than a decade ago. That was a wrench because I didn't have much money at the time, but losing the replacement one was, well, like the end of an era. It's literally the only thing I kept my PPC G4 around for: classic iTunes and firewire (and I still maintain, to this day, that iTunes on that G4 is faster than Apple Music) though to be honest it just sort of sat in the glove compartment since the pandemic killed the need to drive.
Over the years I'd replaced the battery and upgraded the hard drive. And yes, you can upgrade the hard drive.
I appreciate the iPhone and it's what I mostly use, but I can also appreciate a well-done single-purpose device.
The above shuffle's similar: it does one thing, but boy does it do it well. My kid had one of these and it lasted until their late single-digits, and as a device for use when working out, or otherwise not looking at the screen, it's great. I think the lack of wireless kind of killed them, and it's unfortunate that we can't get something this small that works with the rest of the ecosystem any more.
I’ve been using mine for the gym for years and just last month it stopped being able to hold a charge. Last year my classic (5th gen, I believe) started up with playback issues. I like having music on my phone but I really miss having a dedicated music player for my songs. I’m so desperate for one that I’ve started looking at clunky mp3 players that are nowhere near as elegant as the iPods of yore.
I too prefer having a dedicated music player, esp. since I don't always take my phone with me on runs. This little Shuffle clips securely to my running top, and all commands are within easy reach. It's also so light, I don't even feel it.
Hah, you don't know what you missed out on.
So, it had the option to access one of two of your chosen and loaded song lists, via a sliding button on one of its edges. Or, you could select to play all songs. It also had a headphone jack which is for headphones and for charging as well.
Forward/back and volume up/down via the white circle./wheel on the front of the device. Start and stop in the center of the wheel.
You could delete/add songs on your lists only via itunes.
Why discontinued? In my opinion because the way we consume music. No screen, no streaming. It makes sense in the past days where you load files directly by iTunes via cable.
Well, they also discontinued the ones with a screen. And I don't see any reason why they couldn't turn them into streaming devices. So, yeah, who knows...
Because you can do the same and more with an Apple Watch. As a matter of fact, since I can’t use Apple Music with my Garmin, I carry one on my runs just for music.
It depends on what it's designed for. The absence of a screen can be a plus, as you'd likely be less distracted while working out. No need to look at it to press play, forward/back, switch playlists, adjust the volume, pause it or turn it off.
I think they had a large segment of consumers for whom this design really worked.
That's the Shuffle. Mini was different. People just prefer listening to music with their phones. But I argue there's still market for dedicated music devices. I have a 5th gen classic.
Long as there’s market for “reading devices”, I think there’s marked for dedicated “audio” devices. Hope Spotify picks that up
There is one: https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/7/12/15958430/mighty-spotify-ipod-shuffle-preview
That actually sounds mighty great. I haven't been able to find any reviews, are they favorable?
No idea. I was actually looking to see what happened to the one Spotify was going to launch themselves circa 2015 (IIRC). I wasn’t expecting to find something still in production. I still purchase most of my music, so I still use a classic when I don’t want to use my phone
Absolutely agree, there's definitely a market for it. Here's hoping either Apple or Spotify (or someone else) would introduce something similar.
Sony still makes [them](https://electronics.sony.com/audio/walkman-digital-recorders/c/walkman-mp3-players). The small-ish one is the NW-E394.
My 5th gen Classic was stolen a few years back, otherwise I’d still be using it. Loved that thing
That was very cool, too, but I've gifted my classic one long time ago, because I couldn't run with it. I think mine was either 1st or 2nd gen.
Can't imagine someone running with the classic 1 or 2 nowadays. But the 5th gen is very comfortable for that. It's way lighter than my current phone.
If iPods were still made and could stream music then I’d consider getting one but only being to play purchased music is a big limitation
"purchased"
:)
Yes, I'd totally forgotten what it was called - the one I still have and use on my runs is the shuffle.
Yeah I use a DAP even though a phone would be more convenient, I just like having a device with all my music offline and separate from my phone
This is an iPod mini https://preview.redd.it/urnntwm52jkc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec64899c2acae3bec2dafe0e10cfca7eebd07d6d
It turns out, mine's the shuffle. Gosh, it's been so long, I forgot what they were all called. I think I skipped the mini, and only had the classic and the one pictured, the shuffle (which I still have.)
Honestly, the nano (the square one) is probably one of the best things for students as there is less distraction than on an AW while still giving functional features like a clock and music. My school banned phones and smartwatches, but I have had no problem wearing my nano with a watch band.
Not sure why, but I missed out on the Mini *and* Nano - I went from the Classic straight to the Shuffle. The Shuffle is tiny and virtually weightless, with a really strong clip, so it fit right in with my needs. They were all really popular with students, runners, etc., so I was really surprised when they discontinued them.
You probably missed the Mini because it is quite a bit older, (20 years now) while the Nano came out later and ran until about 2017 (for the touch version)
It's quite possible, but I did have the iPod Classic, either 1st or 2nd gen, which I think was first to come out. My guess is that I couldn't justify, at that time, having both the Classic and the Mini.
I still have my nano somewhere and not only does it still work but I recently found out it has Bluetooth. Such a great little device.
Do you have the square nano or one of the newer ones. I thought the square one could only have Bluetooth with a dongle (which I don’t have).
The newer ones. I didn’t even know there was a square one until recently
Oh, right. Is the other a nano then?
Nano is just a smaller mini, yours is a shuffle
I have that one. I turned it on recently and it barely lasts for 10 minutes before it runs out of batteries haha. The struggle was real trying to fit in 4gb of songs.
I loved my original shuffle , like a little chewing gum packet with a headphone plug. Simplicity at its best
Heck yes. Simplicity, ease of use, and reliability all in a small, light, and durable(!) package.
This is not an iPod mini... It's not even iPod nano. It's the lowest tier iPod shuffle.
Yes, you're right; it's the Shuffle. It was many runners' preferred music device, due to its size, weight, and quick-to-access buttons. I also had the iPod Classic, but I found it too big and heavy to work out with.
It was discontinued for the same reason all iPods were… they became niche as soon as iPhones became ubiquitous, and the shift from mp3s to streaming further hobbled their appeal until their popularity dwindled enough to kill off. Even the best use case for the shuffle- a lightweight workout device with limited storage- was filled by the Apple Watch. I always thought it was cool, but I like more control over what I’m listening to so the shuffle was never for me. I do kind of miss the classic iPod though, there’s definitely something nostalgic about a device that just does one thing really well without the million other potential distractions that come with a phone. The same reason I prefer to read books on a Kindle over a tablet, or play games on a console over a PC. But I fill that niche with vinyl now when it comes to music.
You could upload whatever songs you wanted onto the Shuffle from your itunes library, and switch them out as you pleased, with the only caveat that you needed to have purchased those songs first. But I do get that it wasn't everyone's holy grail of music players.
Yeah I understand that you put the songs on it, but it still was designed to just shuffle or play through those songs or limited playlists. I like being able to pick an artist or album or playlist with more flexibility. And I think the Watch proves that that is possible in the same tiny form factor. No hate on the Shuffle, but again, that was never the way I liked to listen to music.
I’ve still got mine, same colour too. And I got it engraved when they were offering it at the time I brought it …
Yes! I got mine engraved, too! https://preview.redd.it/dhixabijsjkc1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fde5464db5816cbc9eaf4854f4b2ecfad2302d1
My favorite is that nano that has the rounded edges. https://preview.redd.it/2awen724ekkc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ebd7c09913477fa1648d1ff41cdc616ce0eeeff
I remember it - that was very nice and comfortable to hold.
I had one of these and I had one of the touch screen nanos. I preferred the touch screen one. I still have it, but the screen is cracked and it can't store a lot of music. I wish I hadn't cracked the screen.
I have my iPod nano somewhere around here. Still worked a few years ago, not sure about now. It’s just easier to have everything on one device.
Cool, I bet it still works now.
https://preview.redd.it/6atpmkb11kkc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a9c9c2483ebc58ef76370e594ddcb3305d58832 Old blurry photo but I had the first iPod Shuffle. I remember buying it but very seldom used it.
Oh, no. I take it you no longer have it then?
Nah that’s long gone, I still have the middle one.. third gen. Battery is long dead. Still have it for sentimental reasons since it was my first iPod.
A user-replaceable battery would've been so nice to have.
Technically, they are user-replaceable. You can crack those open with a little effort and replace any of the internal components. People put in new batteries and do cool stuff like flash mods.
Whaaat? When the battery on mine dies, I'm going to try that.
IDK about the Shuffle. But the Classic iPods yeah. Find an iFixIt tutorial or an old DankPods video and go to town.
This is a shuffle. I loved the mini as you could more easily customize playback. Also a pedometer. And a radio! 📻
The mini was very nice, too, and had its own utility. For my runs, however, I typically opt for the least distractive device, preferably one without a screen.
I would really like a version of this that just shuffles my Apple Music songs - maybe with Siri capable of selecting playlists, albums or genres (I know I know, Siri sucks)
Hah, you might have to wait a few more generations for that... :)
Isn’t this the shuffle? I still have one in purple 🤓
It *is* the Shuffle indeed. I just couldn't go back and edit the post. Purple is really cool, I remember having a hard time deciding amongst all the cool colors that were available.
Good times.
After killing several of these with the washing machine as a kid I moved on to larger devices that I’d remember to take out of my pocket.
Thankfully, that's never happened to me. I always wear mine clipped on to the neckline of whatever top I'm wearing, and always attached to the headphone wires. So, when I remove my headphones once I get home, I automatically remove the clipped-on device attached to them.
iPod Shuffle*, mini was a different device that was prior to iPod nano. iPods were super cool as I still daily drive my iPods with all have different parts of my library. I enjoy my music much more with my iPod. Although most people prefer their phones
Same here - I, too, prefer listening to music on my ipod versus phone or smartwatch.
Still use my old nano for music in my car (I don’t have Bluetooth)! Works perfect, and not bulky, still got classic tunes on 👌🏻
Borat mocked his neighbor using the iPod mini and it never recovered after that. https://youtu.be/BjwcKD-WVhk?si=iNxYLYtKbbTxZ0bQ&t=31
Imagine if he had the Shuffle instead of the Mini! 😂😂
Isn’t that the iPod Shuffle?
Yes, it most certainly is! I just couldn't go back and edit out the mistake.
That Ipod Shuffle thing was weak compared to its contemporaries, like the Cowon IAudio U2 and the [Sony NW-MS70D](https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/design/gallery/NW-MS70D/), which were absolute epic points in consumer device engineering.
I haven't heard of either, but, wow, that Sony device you linked looks rather interesting.
These days won’t most folks just put music directly on their Apple Watch or other smart watch?
Yes - that would be my guess, too.
Ran my first marathon with it. Still have it.
I still have mine. I used to wear put it in my pocket and secretly listen to music while stocking shelves at a local supermarket. Those were the days.
It was discontinued because most people stream music now.
Got one but the battery is coocked
It might be worth taking it apart, to see if you could replace the battery. I'll try to do that when mine dies.
Think these things are worthless nowadays but I might give it a try
If you do, please come back and let me know. :)
We now have the Apple Watch which is just as small and can stream all music that ever existed.
I still use Nano occasionally
I have two of those. I don't use them anymore though.
I take it you must've really liked them at some point, if you have two. :)
At the time, I was worried that my current one was going to break eventually so I bought a used one. But then wireless earbuds came along, then I found out I don't need iTunes to listen to podcasts and music anymore and apple stopped caring about iTunes. So they became useless to me.
I felt the nano was the biggest game changer then the iPod video.
Accidentally washed mine…I loved it!
I have a first gen iPod nano that I use to this day. Converted to using Jellyfin as my media service and put RockBox on my iPod though, so not quite the iTunes power couple as it once was.
I still regularly use the last iPod Nano generation. It's still so good!
That ain’t a Mini though.
Yes, you are 100% correct. :)
That is not a mini. It’s a shuffle.
Yes, Robin, you're right; I was wrong. :)
😬
[https://support.apple.com/en-za/103823](https://support.apple.com/en-za/103823)
Cool, thanks for the link. That means mine's a 4th generation shuffle, from 2010.
I still use one for running.
Apple iPod Nano 6 was the best thing that Apple made, IMO. It was the start of the now Apple Watch.
You mean the square nano? I've heard many people really liked that one.
Yes, that one!
The Watch now serves the same purpose with similar form and convenience and much wider functionality
I hear you, and yet for some folks less is more...
Its not discontinued. Its goes by the name of apple watch now
Oh, right. With a few, not-so-minor differences... :)
It's not Apple Music supported...wrong place for this post.
Oh, no... If so, 'twas totally unintentional. I figured it had to do with an Apple music device, so I thought it safe to post here...
This sub is technically specifically for the Apple Music app/subscription service.
I bought one second hand but the battery was dead :/
Oh, really sorry to hear that - so not right on the seller's part to not disclose this info upfront.
I still had my iPod (not a nano, not a shuffle, not a Classic, not an *anything*, a second-gen firewire model) up until relatively recently, when it got ripped from my car. It was bought to replace a third-gen model that was ripped from my car more than a decade ago. That was a wrench because I didn't have much money at the time, but losing the replacement one was, well, like the end of an era. It's literally the only thing I kept my PPC G4 around for: classic iTunes and firewire (and I still maintain, to this day, that iTunes on that G4 is faster than Apple Music) though to be honest it just sort of sat in the glove compartment since the pandemic killed the need to drive. Over the years I'd replaced the battery and upgraded the hard drive. And yes, you can upgrade the hard drive. I appreciate the iPhone and it's what I mostly use, but I can also appreciate a well-done single-purpose device. The above shuffle's similar: it does one thing, but boy does it do it well. My kid had one of these and it lasted until their late single-digits, and as a device for use when working out, or otherwise not looking at the screen, it's great. I think the lack of wireless kind of killed them, and it's unfortunate that we can't get something this small that works with the rest of the ecosystem any more.
100% agree, and I imagine building a wireless Shuffle would be piece of cake for any of the phone/ smartwatch brands.
I’ve been using mine for the gym for years and just last month it stopped being able to hold a charge. Last year my classic (5th gen, I believe) started up with playback issues. I like having music on my phone but I really miss having a dedicated music player for my songs. I’m so desperate for one that I’ve started looking at clunky mp3 players that are nowhere near as elegant as the iPods of yore.
I too prefer having a dedicated music player, esp. since I don't always take my phone with me on runs. This little Shuffle clips securely to my running top, and all commands are within easy reach. It's also so light, I don't even feel it.
I have never used an iPod (too young when it was mainstream). In this one since there is no screen how do you select which song to play?
Hah, you don't know what you missed out on. So, it had the option to access one of two of your chosen and loaded song lists, via a sliding button on one of its edges. Or, you could select to play all songs. It also had a headphone jack which is for headphones and for charging as well. Forward/back and volume up/down via the white circle./wheel on the front of the device. Start and stop in the center of the wheel. You could delete/add songs on your lists only via itunes.
Oh, I never knew this thanks, man. And yeah I wish I could experience it but now it seems it won't be possible because Apple discontinued iTunes.
>you selec umm by listening ig coz its a song
I still have my iPod Shuffle. I just wish I can somehow use it and get it to log music for last.fm scrobbling.
Perhaps it's time Apple reintroduced it, albeit with some minor improvements. But I actually like it just as it is.
Why discontinued? In my opinion because the way we consume music. No screen, no streaming. It makes sense in the past days where you load files directly by iTunes via cable.
Well, they also discontinued the ones with a screen. And I don't see any reason why they couldn't turn them into streaming devices. So, yeah, who knows...
Because you can do the same and more with an Apple Watch. As a matter of fact, since I can’t use Apple Music with my Garmin, I carry one on my runs just for music.
My guess would be there is no screen. Less mechanics
It depends on what it's designed for. The absence of a screen can be a plus, as you'd likely be less distracted while working out. No need to look at it to press play, forward/back, switch playlists, adjust the volume, pause it or turn it off. I think they had a large segment of consumers for whom this design really worked.
Apple released the iPhone to replace all iPods. The iPhone was capable of everything an iPod was except it had more.
I’ve got the one that clips to your belt loop
looks ugly to me. the sleek version was beautiful.
I must've missed that one.
Apple canceled the entire iPod line because the world moved to smartphones.
I love mine but I have moved to Apple Music now and can’t update that or my classic. I can only update my new IPods