Why you should use an iPod in 2024
Spotify has everything, but I own nothing.
Last week I was doing my usual binge watching of YouTube late at night when I stumbled across a video by ‘The Headphone Show’.
It was titled ‘Audiophiles still love iPods and so do I’
This was the first time I’d even thought of an iPod since the early 2010s, I completely forgot they existed, and so watching this video was like a trip back in time.
In the modern day of fast moving, attention grabbing phones that you end up doom-scrolling on for hours, does an iPod have a use? What are the benefits of having a device, like an iPod, in 2024.
I was now hooked, I wanted to know if people truly still used iPods for the purpose of listening to music.
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My first thought was going to Redditt; I stumbled across the subreddit r/ipod and was surprised to see it had 40K+ members and an active community.
People sharing experiences, queries and just how they use their iPod.
It was like a time machine truly.
Therefore I posted the simple question: “Why do you still use an iPod in 2024?”
And the response I got was overwhelming. Over 150 responses, all unique in their own way. It was so much more than I could’ve asked for.
Hence, below I’ve listed a couple of the reasons why you should use an iPod in 2024!
Music with no distractions
Having an iPod meant that you have a device solely for the use of listening to music.
No ads, no getting distracted by notifications, no doom scrolling on TikTok.
Just you and the music
This was one of the biggest reasons people use an iPod still in 2024
And I have to agree, whilst I don’t have one myself, I can see the appeal. Going to the gym and not having your phone out so you can just focus on the workout, or while studying to ensure you actually study.
This can truly be a fool-proof way of cutting out distractions from your phone yet still enjoying the music you love.
Not having to use a streaming service
Using an iPod means you’re free from the woes of Spotify or Apple Music.
No music getting randomly taken down, or your favourite artist deciding to not use the platform anymore, the music on your iPod is, in a way, yours.
You’d save money every month by not having to pay for a subscription; you can stream the songs whenever you want without needing service.
All you’d need is the iPod which on eBay range from £40 - £100 depending on condition.
The music you listen to won’t be subject to any other forces apart from yourself.
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The Headphone Jack!!
A big plus point of having an iPod in 2024 is that they all have headphone jacks!
Music on an iPod just sounds better, no need for adaptors, attempting 20 times to pair your Bluetooth headphones. Just plug and play.
Also, most older cars have headphone jacks built in, meaning you don’t have to get a cheap Bluetooth to FM radio adaptor (I’ve been there) and your music ends up sounding like it’s behind a wall. It’s a lot simpler.
Because it just works
People want something that just works, and the iPod does exactly that.
This was my favourite reason out of all of them.
It is the definition of plug and play, it’s reliable with a battery life that lasts for ages (one user said a month!) and has buttons/click wheel.
You can even upgrade them to have bigger batteries, bigger storage space (SSD instead of a hard drive), a better screen and you can change the colour to whatever you want.
The quality of the iPod stands up to the test of the time, it may not look as sleek, but it does what it needs to and that’s it.
Above I’ve screenshotted some of my favourite responses, I’ve also linked the original Reddit post below if you want to scroll through yourself.
Reading through all of the comments was really fun and made me appreciate why people would use an iPod nowadays.
Yes it may be impractical, time consuming to set up; get new music onto, but it’s nostalgic to a lot of people and people like owning their own music.
The appeal of having a physical music player is very attractive as well.
One of my favourite stories was that someone who works in the military often uses their iPod when they’re in EMCONs (Emissions Controls), and have to reduce their emissions to the outside world. An iPod is the perfect device to use when still wanting to listen to music.
Such an isolated and unique case, but one I really love.
iPods also have a special place in audiophiles hearts. I’m no audiophile but apparently it sounds a lot better than traditional streaming services.
So why should you use an iPod in 2024?
Amongst many reasons, in todays fast paced world, having a device that is offline and solely for 1 purpose is so valuable.
It is no coincidence that vinyl has made a comeback and it is primarily for the same reasons as using an iPod.
People want a dedicated way to listen to music, myself included.
iPods are cheap, why not pick one up and see if you enjoy it? You never know.
If this is your type of jam, give me a follow! And leave a comment on your opinion of iPods in 2024!