What can we expect from next year? Are we going to see a new iPod (Touch or otherwise) or could the line be coming to an end? That was a major point of speculation during this year, and will probably be even more actively discussed during 2016.
But knowing Apple, they’re not going to say anything whether they’re planning to scrap the line or not. The company likes their secrecy, and it can only benefit them to keep quiet about their plans for the new iPod no matter what they are.
That’s valid for both cases – if they admit that no new iPod is coming, they will just kill the popularity of the line themselves and see a decline in the sales of their other iPod products.
And they would definitely not reveal a new device earlier than they’re planning just because of rumors, so that possibility goes out of the window too. So no matter what Apple might be planning for the future of the iPod brand, we’re only going to find out late in 2016. Unless of course they have a surprise coming at an earlier time, which might be a bit unusual for the company given their past release schedules, but definitely wouldn’t be out of the question on the other hand.
Apple the makes the best and most affordable “MP3” player, although I use mine primarily for Audible audio books. I was able to upgrade to the IPOD classic 160 GB last year before it was discontinued. It is a SHAME that Apple is still introducing products with so little memory capacity when memory is so cheap today. When you factor in apps, music, movies, email and games, the lower capacity models will not cut it. In addition to the products Apple sells, the free educational and informational products available on the Apple site cannot be practically used on the lower end devices – the user will have to spend too much time using ITunes installing and deleting apps, songs, audiobooks and movies to make room for new content. This is frustrating enough on a desktop. I hope the IPod touch line is extended and improved and I hope that HD FM Radio and GPS navigation, along with Improved battery life are introduced in the next model along with at least 512 GB of storage.(The IPOD Shuffle should have at least 16 GB and the IPOD NANO at least 128 GB of storage.)
The IPod was the big product in Apples corporate turnaround. People who otherwise would not have invested in Apple products embraced the IPOD, which served as an entry point to the Apple ecosystem and the IPOD touch, without the contract obligations and data costs of the IPHONE can continue to fulfill that role. Given its manufacturing costs, it remains a very HIGH MARGIN product for Apple. I would hate to see it kicked to the curb.