Apple pulls iPod clickwheel games from iTunes Store
updated 10:45 am EDT, Fri September 30, 2011
May support upcoming death of iPod classic
Apple has silently dropped access to an "iPod Click Wheel Games" section on the iTunes Store, AppleInsider notes. Until this week, it was possible to get to the section via a drop-down menu for the App Store. Apple began selling games for clickwheel iPods in 2006, but they were quickly eclipsed two years later with the introduction of the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch.
The move would appear to back claims that Apple will discontinue the iPod classic, probably at its iPhone press event next week. The player is the lone remaining hard disk-based iPod, and has only been kept around because it still offers the most storage of any Apple handheld at 160GB; even the top-end iPad is limited to 64GB. Some customers may be stuck if the Classic is phased out, since there is no 128GB Touch, iPhone or iPad, and no rumors of the option being added this fall.
The iPod shuffle has also been rumored as disappearing, but may be much less likely to go. The device is Apple's most affordable iPod at $49, and has also proven popular for exercise. It can be clipped onto clothing, isn't easily breakable and can be used without staring at a screen.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2009
Hate touch interface for music
I hope they don't phase out the click wheel it is so much better as a music interface than a touch screen. A touch screen is so difficult to nearly impossible to use in the car or at the gym, where I use my iPod Classic and 1st Gen iPod Nano.