I’ve been fascinated by single-purpose devices such as iPods for music, flip-phones for communication, and e-readers for ebooks. Considering that my interest for these devices has reached an all-time high, I was wondering: Why has the iPod died out while e-readers continue to thrive and see growth? Don’t they both serve the same purpose of allowing users to enjoy one (primary) form of entertainment? Aren’t both types of devices easily replaceable by a modern smartphone or tablet today?
Your phone can play music just like an mp3 player can.
Your phone doesn’t have an e-ink screen.
That’s the whole reason.
Every iPod feature has been rolled into the iPhone. In fact with phones having direct access to streaming platforms like Spotify, phones have made iPods redundant. Nobody wants to sync with iTunes anymore.
E-readers however still have benefits over phones. The screen quality and the battery life.
A dedicated e-reader is way better for reading than a smartphone or tablet. They use e-ink screens which are better for your eyes and for battery life.
Also there are dedicated mobile music players. A lot of them are targeted at the audiophile market and can drive high impedance headphones and have a high quality dac. But most people aren’t audiophiles and don’t use headphones that would benefit from something better than a smartphone.
