Rumor: Apple may be looking to expand upon iPod line in 2019

Let’s face it, it’s been a while since the iPod was Apple’s flagship gadget. With the passing of the iPod Classic, the iPod Nano, and the iPod Shuffle, and with only the iPod Touch keeping the name alive, it seems as if a dedicated Apple music player might be going the way of the dodo.
Still, there are rumors of a new device.
According to Apple supply chain watchers Macotakara, the current iPod Touch (which was last updated in 2015) could see a revamp as Apple looks to funnel more people into things like Apple Music and iTunes in order to help boost revenue from the company’s “Services” division.
The 32GB iPod Touch, which retails for $199, is presently the third least expensive Apple product, behind the $150 Apple TV and the $160 AirPods. At present, the cheapest iPad is the standard, $329 9.7-inch model that was refreshed in spring of 2018 to support the Apple Pencil, suggesting a possible need for a new $200 to $250 device to fill that gap.

The current rumor mill has it that as part of the revamp, Apple is once again considering transitioning from Lightning connectors to USB-C, albeit the current feeling around the camp fire is that iPhones with USB-C haven’t gotten very far in development. As such, Apple could possibly stick with Lightning on a future iPod, as seen with the present iPod Touch.
Still, the rumor’s in the air around the supply chain and it should be interesting to see what 2019 brings for Apple and a potentially resurrected iPod line.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via Gizmodo, 9to5Mac, and Macotakara