Why are people buying iPods again?

I had one of these around 2004 for a few years, It was alright nothing special did the job.

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That's a limewire collection if I've ever seen one. Misspelling on Beastie Boys, Ben Folds name as one word, and what I would guess are supposed to be Avril Lavigne and Barry De Vorzon.
 
Thinking about it, maybe this here is why people are buying iPods again.
Because the music gear industry has become a fucking scam.
I don't care what engineering you put into it, there is no reason in the world why a portable audio player should cost $4500. A&K's design is ugly as sin too, making their prices a double scam.
On the same note, there is absolutely no reason for headphones to cost $3000 and beyond.

I remember a time when flagship universal IEMs cost $500, and customs would get to $1000 if made by the most reputable makers in the market. Now $500 is peanuts. The iPod used to be the thing everyone wanted, it was way more practical and advanced than anything else, and if you didn't want to get max storage it was dirt cheap compared to what they make today.
 
Oh wow! I had no idea, thanks for the tip! The NW-A306 looks so delicious I want to taste it too instead of just listening to it. So gorgeous! 🤤

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I finally have some new tech to put on my wishlist. Look at all those buttons! The flagships were insane, made me wish even harder I was a millionaire lol.
 
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So a couple of things about this, all are imo.

1.) having been a Apple user since the late 1990's. I mean, a heavy user. As great as the products are today, there is a huge dip in quality compared to when Steve Jobs was alive. I doubt a iPod today would be working 20 years from now, etc.

2.) This idea of EVERYTHING on a subscription service was a nice thought, but it is not sustainable. I personally liked it better when we purchased content. Movies, Music, books, games, etc.

Edit: as this anti tech, or consumer "digital minimalism" gains traction, i would welcome a iPod type device again for media and ditch my phone in some instances to remove distractions.
 
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That's a limewire collection if I've ever seen one. Misspelling on Beastie Boys, Ben Folds name as one word, and what I would guess are supposed to be Avril Lavigne and Barry De Vorzon.
Look, man. When I uploaded it to Limewire (and Kazaa, btw) , I was under a lot of stress, OK?
 
That's a limewire collection if I've ever seen one. Misspelling on Beastie Boys, Ben Folds name as one word, and what I would guess are supposed to be Avril Lavigne and Barry De Vorzon.
Eh, it would've more looked like "Avril_lavigne_its_complicated_AAC_CDRIP.MP3" something like that
 
2.) This idea of EVERYTHING on a subscription service was a nice thought, but it is not sustainable. I personally liked it better when we purchased content. Movies, Music, books, games, etc.

I was subscribed to Apple Music and YouTube for years, and one day it hit me... I was paying monthly just to listen to the same few artists and albums on repeat. So I canceled that nonsense, hit up the local flea market, bought like a hundred of CDs for cheap, ripped them to my iTunes library, then resold them for basically the same price.

Now I've got thousands of songs I actually care about and I don't have to pay a cent to listen.

This is the way. Technically, you can still buy songs digitally on iTunes, but unless it's a compilation album, it's almost always more expensive than buying physical CDs. At this point, it's not about the money. It's about making a point to these corporations.

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I was subscribed to Apple Music and YouTube for years, and one day it hit me... I was paying monthly just to listen to the same few artists and albums on repeat. So I canceled that nonsense, hit up the local flea market, bought like a hundred of CDs for cheap, ripped them to my iTunes library, then resold them for basically the same price.

Now I've got thousands of songs I actually care about and I don't have to pay a cent to listen.

This is the way. Technically, you can still buy songs digitally on iTunes, but unless it's a compilation album, it's almost always more expensive than buying physical CDs. At this point, it's not about the money. It's about making a point to these corporations.

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Instead of burning a pile of cash to send a message you burned a pile of CDs. I can respect that!
 
I'd love an MP3 player that does local file playback, podcast apps, audiobook apps. Nothing else. Basically no internet browser. I think I'd get more sleep if I had a device that I could set a podcast running to fall asleep to but not be tempted to take a look at the internet for "5 minutes" first.
 
I had a Mini Disc player in the 90s, so everything else was just peasants.

Bought one of those small mp3 players to hang around your neck later, 128mb. Still got it somewhere. Great battery life with one AA.

Then I got the second gen iPod with 20gb for Christmas. Quite a revelation! FireWire enabled quick data transfer.

Used an iPod shuffle 1st gen for sports.

Then the iPhone happened. Would never go back.
 
I mean, I kinda get it. Once my current phone annoys me to the point of replacing it, I'm getting something with at least 512GB storage so I can just sync all my music natively on it. Streaming has gotten to be too much of a pain in the ass. Spotify algorithm sucks now. I don't buy into Apple, and Plexamp has been great, but has limits on what you can keep 'offline'

So yeah, if I found that I can't find a phone I love with at least 512 (preferably 1TB, but y'know) -- then I'd probably buy something like an iPod. -- but obviously not an iPod.
 
I love the design language used, very cool and futuristic! How does that scroll-wheel thingy work irl?
Volume only.

Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air. No fuss and doesn't budge. It's in a sweet spot. Tactile, fast, smooth and acurate when it comes to selecting volume levels in your pocket.
 
Nostalgia + the UI/UX + the focus of a single function device coming into vogue again + dedicated music devices tends to sound better than multi-function devices...

The DAC/Amp and its implementation likely won't match a modern quality DAP or a dedicated portable DAC/Amp, but I'm guessing they're gonna edge out most modern phones or generic devices; and they'll certainly edge out the minituarised pair of DAC/Amps in wireless buds/airpods. The technology has come on leaps and bounds but after a certain threshold nice sound is generally a matter of taste rather than how advanced the tech is and building a device around a specific purpose with the budget dedicated to it -- rather than it being an afterthought or additional feature -- usually means it fares better.


I feel like Apple should give the iPod another go. People are coming around again to devices that do one thing and do it well. It may not be a massive seller like the og days, but they could have a limited range sold at a reasonable profit and perhaps even veer into more premium audiophile options too. A lot of things like this are coming full circle and markets are opening up again, all they have to do is address it appropriately.

There's a lot of DAPs out there now but even the pricey ones have a hodge podge, janky feel to them. Like the companies just aren't quite equipped to provide a fully unified software+hardware experience. It's either some junk proprietary OS or a version of Android wrangled together to function like an audio player where you either use a third party mobile app and/or their own often terrible app. Apple are in a unique position to provide that fully cohesive experience.

I think a simple range of new iPods based on newer technology integrating both local and modern streaming playback options as well as comprehensive format support could be pretty awesome. Perhaps hybridising a touch wheel with a touch screen to lean into the nostalgia angle. And again, just focus on, well...focus: let it just be an iPod.

I can't help but think the iPod Touch was the moment they lost their soul. It's not an iPod, it's a parred back iPhone without the phone component and an iPod badge on it, there was nothing 'iPod' about it.

I'd pay through the teeth for a premium-level iPod from Apple that integrates a R2R DAC, a solid amp section, a great, super-focused UI/UX, long battery life and full support for all file formats. I plan on getting a HiBy RS6 Android DAP with R2R DAC eventually but I'd drop that in a heartbeat for a high end iPod with similar specs and support.

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Nostalgia + the UI/UX + the focus of a single function device coming into vogue again + dedicated music devices tends to sound better than multi-function devices...

The DAC/Amp and its implementation likely won't match a modern quality DAP or a dedicated portable DAC/Amp, but I'm guessing they're gonna edge out most modern phones or generic devices; and they'll certainly edge out the minituarised pair of DAC/Amps in wireless buds/airpods. The technology has come on leaps and bounds but after a certain threshold nice sound is generally a matter of taste rather than how advanced the tech is and building a device around a specific purpose with the budget dedicated to it -- rather than it being an afterthought or additional feature -- usually means it fares better.


I feel like Apple should give the iPod another go. People are coming around again to devices that do one thing and do it well. It may not be a massive seller like the og days, but they could have a limited range sold at a reasonable profit and perhaps even veer into more premium audiophile options too. A lot of things like this are coming full circle and markets are opening up again, all they have to do is address it appropriately.

There's a lot of DAPs out there now but even the pricey ones have a hodge podge, janky feel to them. Like the companies just aren't quite equipped to provide a fully unified software+hardware experience. It's either some junk proprietary OS or a version of Android wrangled together to function like an audio player where you either use a third party mobile app and/or their own often terrible app. Apple are in a unique position to provide that fully cohesive experience.

I think a simple range of new iPods based on newer technology integrating both local and modern streaming playback options as well as comprehensive format support could be pretty awesome. Perhaps hybridising a touch wheel with a touch screen to lean into the nostalgia angle. And again, just focus on, well...focus: let it just be an iPod. I can't help but think the iPod Touch was the moment they lose their soul. It's not an iPod, it's a parred back iPhone without the phone component and an iPod badge on it, there was nothing 'iPod' about it.

I'd pay through the teeth for a premium-level iPod from Apple that integrates a R2R DAC, a solid amp section, a great, super-focused UI/UX, long battery life and full support for all file formats.

Username checks out.
 
nostalgia.

Some of them still look nice though, and at least have headphones jacks. So I can see the appeal for enthusiasts.
 
I loved the Zune and was head over heels for the Zune HD. Unfortunately too little, too late and it was immediately destined to fail when it didn't have an App Store.

It did have an app store. It's just that there were about eight games on it in total (one of which was a mobile exclusive of Audiosurf!).
 
What i would really like is a iPod for today that gave us Notes, Calendar, Calculator, banking, wallet, music, podcast, audio books, health, email, gps, iMessage, and chat gpt or other ai.

Leaving everything else behind and just esssentials. That would be a cool product.
 
It did have an app store. It's just that there were about eight games on it in total (one of which was a mobile exclusive of Audiosurf!).
Technically right, but completely unsupported. 62 apps total (including crap like Calculator) and there was never a push to bring other developers on board. I absolutely loved Audiosurf, by the way.
 
What i would really like is a iPod for today that gave us Notes, Calendar, Calculator, banking, wallet, music, podcast, audio books, health, email, gps, iMessage, and chat gpt or other ai.

Leaving everything else behind and just esssentials. That would be a cool product.
So…. An iPhone? All phones let you curate what apps you want in them.
 
Decided to take a look at what modern mp3 players look like and decided to buy one. Bought one from a company called Hiby, have no idea if its any good but excited to get my hands on it and mess around. I like the idea of a device dedicated to music, when I have my phone around I tend to get distracted with non music stuff or watch YouTube videos instead of listening to music. Got the one in green.
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They also have an Evangelion themed one which looks sick but was bigger and pricier than I was looking for.
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I think a lot of people now are trying to be less "connected" and as a minimalist I get it to a point.

That being said as a minimalist my iPhone covers a lot of separate device uses all in one and I personally wouldn't give that up nor would I give up the ease of just connecting my AirPods pros to my phone and being done.
 
I never stopped using an ipod. Last thing I would want to do is use my phone battery constantly just to listen to music. Also prefer downloading the songs I want instead of streaming it. Also prefer a much smaller device than a big phone in my workout shorts when at the gym sweating. Also prefer being able to use wired headphones.

It was always a superior option for portable music.
 
Here's mine: I bought an old iPod 5, swapped out the hard drive for flash storage, replaced the battery, and gave it a whole new housing. I absolutely love that thing.

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I wish apple created something like you just rebuilt. It would be perfect for what I need it to be. I always loved the click wheel when scrolling though music.

Also if you don't mind me asking, who did you go to get this done? (swapping out the hard drive, getting a new battery).
 
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I wish apple created something like you just rebuilt. It would be perfect for what I need it to be. I always loved the click wheel when scrolling though music.

Also if you don't mind me asking, who did you go to get this done? (swapping out the hard drive, getting a new battery).

I did myself, following a YouTube tutorial. If you interested I can find the exact one that I used.

You can get parts here: https://eoe.works/
 
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