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Expensive Tim,
I purchased my first Apple product again in 2004, an HP-branded iPod. In 2005, I bought a PowerBook G4 and have by no means seemed again. I’ve been an Apple buyer ever since, buying a number of iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches alongside the best way. Like many others, I joined the App Retailer frenzy, turning into a part of a world neighborhood. My journey with Apple mirrors that of many customers; I like Apple merchandise.
Nevertheless, I imagine we’ve accelerated our technological developments too quickly with merchandise designed to steal our consideration away from the true world. This concern has weighed on my soul, main me to cease sporting an Apple Watch years in the past. Not as a result of it isn’t an ideal product however as a result of I grew uninterested in fixed connectivity.
Since 2008, I’ve used a Mac for work, accumulating hundreds of hours of use. Working from residence means I’m on-line extra typically than I’d like, utilizing my iPhone and AirPods to compensate for podcasts, hearken to Apple Music, or take pleasure in Audible audiobooks when off work. The previous 15 years felt like residing in a world of perpetual connectivity, leaving me exhausted. This fatigue isn’t distinctive to me; psychological well being statistics within the US paint a grim image, particularly amongst youngsters and younger adults.
A number of weeks in the past, my household and I spent a while in Disney World, and it was miserable to see individuals watching life via their iPhones. On a journey? Selfie. Within the line? Scrolling social media. Consuming lunch? Display screen in your face. Somebody residing in 2004 wouldn’t acknowledge the world in 2024. I do know this wasn’t the world Apple dreamed up, although. We’ve change into hooked on our units. We’ve change into hooked on the dopamine hits. 5 minute YouTube movies are too lengthy. We now want 15-second TikTok movies. Overlook about watching full films with out scrolling Instagram or Fb. Everyone knows one thing is improper. Everyone knows that this may’t proceed. We have to disconnect. We want lengthy durations away from connectivity. We want a break. We want a break for the sake of our psychological well being.
I knew I wanted this, so I began occupied with a change. I needed to return in time. I needed to get misplaced within the music. Music, Tim, is on the core of who Apple was. Sure, Apple Music is a superb service. It’s an unbelievable worth. Put it’s a part of the web. It’s a part of connectivity. I didn’t need apps. I needed albums. I needed to take pleasure in my music like I used to, so I purchased an iPod basic seventh Era with a brand new battery and an SSD drive.
There’s no Bluetooth. There’s no Wi-Fi. It’s a ache to make use of. The system is gradual. Syncing music from my Mac feels archaic. The music sounds a lot worse than on my iPhone with AirPods Professional. Technically, the whole lot about utilizing an iPod in 2024 is a large step backward, however I adore it. I really like the whole lot about it. I really like scrolling via my albums. I really like operating with out my iPhone. When I’m completed with work, my iPhone stays on my desk. If somebody calls, I’ll reply. In any other case, my evenings are smartphone-free. When doing laundry, I’ll decide an album I haven’t heard in just a few years and press play. I’m rediscovering my love of music. I get misplaced within the music once more. That is the Apple I fell in love with. That is the Apple that a lot of the world found 20 years in the past. Rip, Combine, Burn. $9.99 albums, $.99 tracks, and syncing over USB. Ditching my iPhone for music and audiobooks has been good for my soul. It’s been nice for my psychological well being. I’ve damaged an dependancy that I didn’t even know I had. Outdoors of labor hours, I’m going hours and hours with out checking electronic mail, social media, and so forth. When I’m completed working, I’m offline.
Tim, at present’s society wants a dose of offline. We have to contact grass. We want vitamin D. We have to get away from our dopamine dependancy to likes, feeds, and the whole lot concerned. Apple unknowingly led us into the state of the world at present. It’s time for Apple to assist lead us out. Let’s normalize disconnecting. Let’s normalize going lengthy durations with out Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a pull to refresh.
Utilizing an iPod in 2024 isn’t seamless, however I select to make use of one thing technically worse as a result of I do know my soul, thoughts, and coronary heart want it. Most individuals aren’t going to take that journey. Tim, what would an iPod in 2024 appear like? I don’t assume it could be a lot totally different than the iPod basic I exploit at present. The shape issue. The UI. The expertise. It was all good on the time, and it may be good once more. It might even work with Apple Music for those who synced it to your Mac as soon as a month to confirm the subscription. Let’s go offline. Let’s put hundreds of songs again in our pockets. Let’s carry again the iPod and begin a dialog about the advantages of taking lengthy durations away from the whole lot on-line.
Let’s get misplaced within the music for a brand new era
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