The iPod – the device that revolutionised how millions of people listened to music – is being discontinued due to dropping sales, Apple confirmed yesterday. The first iPod went on sale 21 years ago when minds were blown at the prospect of putting 1,000 songs in your pocket, despite the chunky design. It exploded in popularity across the noughties with updates including the iPod touch, shuffle, mini and nano. Many would remember these iconic ads… Since the iPod’s release, tech research firm Loup Ventures estimates Apple has sold 450 million of them, but just 3 million were sold last year – a fraction of the estimated 250 million iPhones it sold during the same period. The tech giant said the portable music device has essentially been made redundant following the release of devices that can serve the same function, including phones and watches. Apple’s Greg Joswiak says more portable music also means “the spirit of iPod lives on”.