Somehow, people are under the misconceived notion that because they aren't interested in the iPod touch there is no market for it. If you can't figure out who will buy the new iPod touch, you aren't being thoughtful enough.
The internet crowd definitely needs a good whack across the attitude to get it back in check, indeed. Thanks for the parenting!
I agree that the new iPod touch is disappointing in that it has zero design changes, which translates into zero effort on Apple's part. That somehow Apple is just recycling old designs in the name of making money. But with a huge market of iPod touch cases and screen protectors, one could say that Apple is being responsible by continuing the same form factor. It's not like the design is lacking in anything. It's perfectly functional and still the best non-phone, non-tablet media device available on the market.
I have no qualms with Apple sticking with a proven design. And I'm thankful that they *finally* updated the device so they're not selling 4-year old technology at the same price. But in the same token, as you dig deeper into that, they also kept older technology, like no Bluetooth 5 support. That's questionable.
All in all, there's going to be a lot of happy customers of the updated iPod touch. That, we know.
Like to pick up on this: where the hack is the innovation? Apple’s track record of just recycling older technology with lower specs (A10, 32GB) get’s just longer with this. The iPod was instrumental to initiate Apple’s amazing journey to bring them to the level where they are today, it feels like disrespect for this important product to not bring it to the next level!
But let me put in in perspective, as I totally agree with the article’s statements in principle:
- I introduced the iPod to my kids years ago as replacement for cassette and CD player. Not only worked it superb for audiobooks for kids, it also helped them to get the usability straight (and as much as we may complain that we all use it too much, it remains an important skillset these days). And with Arcade it is clear why they needed the upgrade for this important customer segment.
- Besides music and smart home there are so many more areas to utilize an iPod for adults. Just think about Geocaching or bike navigation, an iPod is so much more convenient to use (as it is lighter) and the phone can stay in the pocket. But here is the problem: as adult I would expect a new design like the iPhone XR! That would be innovative and state of the art, and I would be willing to pay extra. Not sure what you guys think, but to me personally, looking for the iPod for some time to feature the above, I will not buy it yet!
- And I think these missing features are hurting even more if you think about the business angle, which is indeed very valid. If you use the device as cashier system, in restaurants, etc. every millimeter screen counts to make it convenient to use!
So bottom line: to use the lower spec and old design for kids to keep the device affordable is ok (and then you may not need the memory boost, though not sure yet what is needed for Arcade). But for a more mature usage I would have expected more. Really a pity and again the proof how much Apple is under pressure to deliver shareholder instead of customer value these days 😢
Arcade is designed to compete with something like Nintendo Switch, which has a 6.2” display. So maybe Apple is targeting that use with the chip upgrade, but kids aren’t likely going to want to play games on a screen that small. They’re probably still going to want to use their parents much bigger phone whenever possible or that, not to mention how much more responsive it will be. The same for movies. That’s why an iPad mini makes more sense for something like that. The main use of an iPod Touch is likely intimate personal use ... IG, Snap, Messages, WhatsApp, FB, etc., and music. But music is also a head scratcher for Apples subscription services goals. At least an SE had a cellular radio to provide access to Apple Music wherever a customer was. This means kids have to download a library of songs for offline listening, which is not really the direction I’d think Apple would want to push kids with their first devices to grow their new Services driven business model. This thing might be ideal for use around the house, but on the go it’s kinda dead in the water — and that’s where parents get a lot of benefit from electronic devices they give to their kids.
There’s probably more to the Enterprise angle of this than anyone is giving credit to, choosing instead to focus on the kids sales, which frankly seems like the least of it.
Is there a reason it doesn’t have an A11 or A12 chip?
While I understand an upgraded iPod I do find it perplexing that they put an A10 in the machine. Either an A11 or A12 would have offered far more hardware support for a new generation of software. As it is the iPod will quickly become outdated for the younger set. Even for “pro” usage the lack of support for those new features could be a problem.
I really take this A10 upgrade as further evidence that Apple really doesn’t have a desire to drive the very technologies that they have developed. It isn’t that A10 is an especially bad processor (it is decent) but the lack of a modern Apple GPU and Neural Engine access really neuters this upgrade.
I will buy new iPod with an A12 inside it but the A10 is 3 years old, going on 4 years in September! Only a fool would buy this dated components inside the iPod.
Please explain why the A10 wouldn't be able to power small device like this for years to come?
"3 years old, going on 4 years in September!"
It will be 3 years old in September actually... It was introduced with the iPhone 7 and 7Plus Sept 7 2016.
Well this is one of those questions that can only be answered based on ones perspective. In a nut shell A10 can be very interesting in an iPod as long as you don’t want to leverage modern software. The lack of Neural Engine and Apples GPUs date this processor more than its actual age. That is the problem I have with this update which is otherwise fine if not slightly expensive.
I’m actually glad to see Apple updating this device. IPods have a lot of uses that unfortunately get dismissed by the 4G crowd. The only thing I really question is why such an outdated processor and their inability to be price competitive. The price issue is directly linked to the SSD storage issue.
As for the A10, it is far older than its years imply. That mainly due to the lack of Neural Engine and an Apple GPU!!! This will mean that some software will never run on the device. Further as Apple and other developers start to leverage this new hardware in A12 and forward the iPod will quickly become poorly supported.
As for processor cost that people are concerned with i really I really don’t see a problem here. I really doubt it is much more than a few dollars difference to Apple.
Comments
There’s probably more to the Enterprise angle of this than anyone is giving credit to, choosing instead to focus on the kids sales, which frankly seems like the least of it.
I really take this A10 upgrade as further evidence that Apple really doesn’t have a desire to drive the very technologies that they have developed. It isn’t that A10 is an especially bad processor (it is decent) but the lack of a modern Apple GPU and Neural Engine access really neuters this upgrade.
As for the A10, it is far older than its years imply. That mainly due to the lack of Neural Engine and an Apple GPU!!! This will mean that some software will never run on the device. Further as Apple and other developers start to leverage this new hardware in A12 and forward the iPod will quickly become poorly supported.
As for processor cost that people are concerned with i really I really don’t see a problem here. I really doubt it is much more than a few dollars difference to Apple.