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First revealed in late 2012, the fifth-generation iPod touch ($199-$299 from the Apple Store) is Apple’s least-expensive iOS device. Thinner and lighter than its predecessor, it has an aluminum and glass body that paved the way for surprisingly similar designs in the iPad mini, iPad Air, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus families. Beyond its space gray and silver versions, it is currently the only metal iOS device offered in bright colors — a benefit if you like red, pink, yellow, or blue — and is similar to the plastic iPhone 5c in features, minus cellular data and phone calling support.

With the same 4-inch screen as the iPhone 5c, it also has the same Lightning connector, though it’s a generation behind in processing power with the A5 chip. It includes the first “good enough” camera system ever in an iPod: a 5-megapixel rear iSight camera with an iPhone 6/6 Plus-style protruding lens, and a basic FaceTime HD camera on the front. Apple’s Siri voice assistant is also supported, as are most of the great games available in the App Store.

There have been some changes to the 16GB version of this iPod touch over time; at first, there wasn’t one, then one appeared in silver with a black front but without a rear camera. That was replaced by the current version which comes in all six colors, each with a camera, matching the colors and cameras of 32GB and 64GB models. For $199 to $299, these aren’t bad deals, but under most circumstances we’d recommend the iPad mini or iPad mini 2 instead.

iPod resale value has depreciated 89% on average, 3% boost since brand discontinued

ipod-resale

Apple announced the end of the iPod earlier this month, ending an iconic 20 years. Consumers have been buying into nostalgia, either by purchasing iPods for collectibles or selling their old music players. SellCell has taken a look at how the iPod has depreciated over the last two decades and where resale values stand today.

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Now obsolete, the iPod touch was once the gateway to the iOS ecosystem

Just a few days ago, I wrote an article asking why Apple is still selling the iPod touch in 2022. Coincidentally or not, the company announced on Tuesday that the iPod touch and the iPod brand have reached the end of their lives. What’s interesting to think about is that, now obsolete, the iPod touch was once the gateway to the iOS ecosystem.

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Apple discontinues iPod touch, ending 20 year run of iconic ‘iPod’ brand

iPod touch discontinued

It’s the end of an era: Apple is officially discontinuing the iPod touch. The company says that the device will be available only “while supplies last.” This also means that the “iPod” brand is officially retired, as the iPod touch was the last iPod in Apple’s lineup.

It’s the end of an era for a product that was once one of the most popular gadgets in the world.

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Remembering when Apple killed the 4th-generation iPod touch right before WWDC 2013

We here at 9to5Mac have talked about how Apple should kill the Apple Watch Series 3 for a while now. It’s Apple’s “white elephant,” as my colleague José has said, while Filipe noted, “If the company really cares about the user experience, it should discontinue the Apple Watch Series 3 while it can.” The primary issue with the Apple Watch Series 3 is really just that it’s getting slower and can’t handle updates. As it turns out, there’s precedent for Apple killing a product immediately before WWDC because it was going to drop compatibility for it. That product was an iPod touch.

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The Rewind: iPod touch 7th-gen — a legitimate Apple Arcade portable gaming machine?

It’s been about eight months since I first reviewed the 7th-generation iPod touch, and since that time both iOS 13 and Apple Arcade, two releases that significantly affect the hardware, have been released. How well has the iPod touch 7 held up since that time, and should you still consider an iPod in 2020? Watch our latest hands-on episode of the Rewind for more details. 
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iPod touch (2019) 7th-generation review: a slightly more capable multi-purpose iOS handheld [Video]

Earlier this week the iPod touch received a modest upgrade, arriving with little fanfare via an Apple press release. The new 7th-generation iPod touch has little in the way of new features, but it does receive a CPU spec-bump that takes it from an iPhone 6-era Apple A8 to an iPhone 7-era A10 Fusion chip, not to mention double the RAM of the previous generation.

The new hardware upgrades make it so that iPod touch users can enjoy Augmented Reality (AR) apps along with Group FaceTime capability for the first time. There’s also a new 256 GB flash storage tier, another first for the iPod lineup. It means that in 2019, there’s finally an iPod that bests the 160GB iPod Classic in terms of storage space.

While the iPod touch isn’t the mass market item that earlier members of the product line once were, Apple believes that there continues to be a viable audience for such a device. Not only is it ideal for storing large music libraries locally, but with the upcoming launch of the new Apple Arcade subscription gaming service, Apple continues to position the iPod touch as a handheld gaming option.

All of that said, should you consider buying this new iPod touch? Watch our hands-on video review for the details.
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Apple releases new iPod touch featuring A10 Fusion chip, 256 GB storage option

Apple has just announced a new iPod touch featuring an Apple A10 Fusion chip. The new iPod looks the same as the previous generation, with a 4-inch screen flanked by large bezels and a non-Touch ID physical home button.

In addition to the new chip, the device comes in a 256 GB model for the first time. The 2019 iPod touch is available to order online now at $199 for 32 GB storage, $299 for 128 GB and $399 for the 256 GB configuration.


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When should we expect the rumored iPod touch?

iPod touch

Where is the new iPod touch? It’s been 1,364 days since the last update that broke the 1,036 day streak of the previous iPod touch being sold. That’s an age that’s given new meaning to the clever caption engraved on the iPod touch in Apple’s marketing material: “You’re only as old as your playlist.”

If Apple doesn’t plan on replacing the aging iPod touch hardware with a new model, we’re entering the point in its product life where it should probably be discontinued. Fortunately, there’s hope for future iPod touch customers …


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Comment: With Apple’s March event focused on services, when should we expect hardware updates?

iPad mini iPod touch release

At the start of the week, you could reasonably guess that Apple might hold its semi-regular spring event to unveil a new 10-inch iPad and smaller iPad mini 5, an updated iPod touch, possibly AirPods 2, and new features in iOS 12.2. Reliable reporting has since adjusted expectations, giving us a rumored event date and a focus on new subscription news and video services in place of any hardware. So when should we expect to see all that rumored hardware if there’s no hardware event?


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iPod touch concept video imagines the overhauled design Apple should deliver, but probably won’t

Although the glory days of iPod are long over, rumors have stirred recently about a new 7th generation iPod touch. While we’ve yet to see any official hardware leaks, a new concept render video from ConceptsiPhone demonstrates the best possible (yet unlikely) scenario should a new iPod touch come to fruition.


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iOS 12.2 beta includes references to four new iPad models, new iPod touch without Touch ID

new iPad iPod touch 7th generation

Earlier today, we reported that new iPad models had been registered with the Eurasian Economic Commission. The registration indicates that Apple plans on releasing several new iPads sometime this year. Recent reports have suggested that these may include an updated iPad mini and 10-inch iPad. We’ve also found a reference to what could be the 7th generation iPod touch. However, it doesn’t appear to include Face ID or Touch ID.


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How to install the iOS 12 public beta on your eligible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

As we recently noted, the iOS 12 public beta has been released for those interested in trying iOS 12 before it officially launches later this fall. In other words, you don’t have to be a registered Apple developer in order to install iOS 12 prior to its public debut.

The public beta process is for anyone wishing to take the software for an early test drive. In this hands-on walkthrough, we’ll guide you through the iOS 12 public beta install process step-by-step for your eligible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
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