No, the iPod shuffle won’t be joining the iPod Classic in the graveyard anytime soon
Reports of the iPod shuffle’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
According to a new story from Billboard, there is a simple reason for the device’s shipping delays:
Rather than being discontinued, however, sources with knowledge of the situation tell Billboard that Apple is actually going thorough component supplier changes that have interrupted production of the Shuffle.
Apple declined to comment.
Just yesterday, another report noted that Apple is listing iPod shuffle orders from its site as shipping in seven to 10 business days. And a number of Apple Stores across the United States also seem to have a short supply of the tiny music player, which was introduced in 2005 and last updated in 2010.
Apple even told store employees to direct buyers to the online store if the retail location was out of stock. The player starts at $49.
That led to some speculation that Apple was planning to discontinue the device, much like it did with venerable iPod Classic in 2014. And it definitely made more sense with the imminent introduction of the Apple Watch. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.
While I was just a tiny bit sad to see the iPod Classic meet its maker, the iPod shuffle has always been one of my least favorite Apple devices. But I know there are many users who enjoy the small and inexpensive music player.
For other news today, see: Apple Pay could arrive in Canada as early as March, Duolingo for Schools lets teachers easily track students’ language learning progress, and Facebook acquires video compression startup as Twitter nears launch of new video feature.
