David Smith’s article in the Guardian asks, “Why the iPod is losing its cool” suggesting Apple’s flagship product is destine for the “recycling bin of history.”  I suspect that as a fashion statement the iPod is unlikely to remain on top – change is part of fashion.  But will the change spell the end of the iPod?  Not if you consider the iPod to be a platform instead of a device as I do.
The iPod is a powerful platform for the sale and consumption of digital media starting with audio, then television and soon movies.  It has changed the way more than 60,000,000 people across the globe buy and consume digital media.  The iTunes store, part of that platform, is a billion dollar business that exists because of the iPod platform.  Millions of us have bought into this platform and it will take a little more than a chance in fashion to get us to buy the latest Creative Labs mp3 player.

Paul Kedrosky, who I sent an iPod to last year when he told me he didn’t have one, points out that the Sony Walkman sold 60,000,000 units between 1979 and 1992.  I suspect that the platform nature of the iPod will give it a stickiness that Sony could only dream of.  The iPod has transcended its need for support from “teen pop culture.”  Yes, eventually iPod sales will stop growing – they have declined over the past two quarters, but just take a look at iTunes Music Store sales and you will get understand the concept of the “platform.”