Apple demotes the iPod as It clears Apple store counter space

Apple will begin rolling out these notable changes overnight on Tuesday to stores in the United States so that customers who begin coming in on Wednesday see the refreshed look.

Previously, Apple Store employees would grab iPods for customers from the back or from stations within the store, a practice still in place for major products like iPhones, Macs, and Apple Watches. However, a few large Apple Stores will retain some Smart Signs as Apple conducts this transition. The changes will start appearing in most Apple Stores starting August 26. It’s been relegated to the sidelines and out of the main displays housing the latest devices. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is doing away with its four-year-old Smart Signs, which placed a tablet next to each Mac, iPad, and iPhone to highlight relevant information. Instead, the company is going to display specs, pricing and other details directly on the screens of the products themselves. This clears up space which Apple will utilize to showcase more units for shoppers to test. It’s biggest advantage of integrating with a music platform, the iTunes and being able to carry an entire music collection in one’s pocket. When the iPhone launched, the iPod lost its charm as the phone was everything in one package. Apple’s non-signature products, like Apple TV and Time Capsule, are available on the accessory shelves and are easily accessible by customers without having to consult with a retail employee. The new iPod touch features an 8-megapixel iSight camera, an improved FaceTime HD camera, the Apple-designed A8 chip with 10 times faster graphics performance, and the M8 motion co-processor for better fitness tracking. The focus to make the shopping experience smoother and reduce hassles is the key priority. However, the iPad mini display connected to the Apple Watch will not be removed. The spotlight is slowly shifting from a tech retail store to being a fashion outlet. The iPod devices form a small part of Apple’s total business.