Most, if not all of us, have heard about the iPod.

Now that Apple’s iPhone has gained immense growth and brings in $12 billion in the two years since it was launched, while the iPod draws in only 8%, reduced from the previous  50% in 2006, of Apple’s total revenue the question, the question and also the name of the article, is “Should Apple kill the iPod?”

iPod Touch

I think that Apple should not completely kill the iPod, but rather phase out less popular models. As the article suggests, the iPod, like Xerox, has come to represent a category. For some, the iPhone is bundled with a cellphone plan that provides too much, when all they really want is just the basic phone and text. The iPhone is also viewed as an iPod Touch with 3G network or data plan and phone abilities. For others, the iPad is far too big a device to carry around just to listen to music. In both these cases, an iPod is a wonderful device that fulfills their needs. Furthermore, the continuation of the iPod provides consumers with an entry-level device to get them used to the Apple brand and products, leading to future purchases.