Get Ready To Kiss The Click Wheel iPod Classic Goodbye

Looks like its time to kiss the click wheel goodbye, as this is the year the iPod classic will die. As noted by Wired, a new iPod classic is one thing we’re not expecting to see at Tuesday’s Apple event. Analyst Charles Golvin says, “I don’t see Apple investing any more into the iPod classic, even just to upgrade the connector”.

The current iPod classic, which was introduced back in 2009, offers 160 GB of storage for up to 40,000 songs. Other products offer ample music storage plus a host of other functions, and make more sense for Apple to produce. Anthony Scarsella, the chief gadget officer of Gazelle.com notes that it’s been two years since the iPod classic has been updated so we can assume “it will be phased out” this year.

“Honestly, I think it’s time for [the iPod classic] to be retired,” Boundless app CEO Ariel Diaz said. “It may be serving a small space for lots of music in a compact package, but it’s already an antiquated notion as we move to a world of streaming music instead of local MP3s and AACs.”

Even if it’s shrinking, the iPod classic still has a dedicated audience. Michael Simmons, co-founder of Flexibits (the company behind apps like Fantastical), still owns and uses his iPod classic.

“I’ve had it forever,” Simmons said. He had an original iPod, then got a classic when those came out. “I’m a musician. I love music so I have a ton of music.” As a frequent traveler, the iPod classic comes in handy — Simmons knows he has all of his music in his pocket, and doesn’t need to worry about syncing.

There is no denying that the iPod transformed the world of music, setting the stage for the iPhone and the mobile revolution. But when the new iPhones take the stage next week, we may see that same iPod quietly disappear forever.