The next version of macOS Ventura 13.5 includes an update for iPod 2005!
Many users have shown that the iPod has not been forgotten and although Apple discontinued the latest model in May 2022, neither has it. According to a report based on Apple developer release notes, the upcoming macOS 13.5 update will resolve a sync issue with the third and fourth generation iPod shuffle. The update is currently in beta testing and will likely be released later this month.
macOS 13.5 will most likely be one of the last updates to macOS Venturagiven that Apple is currently focused on the release of macOS Sonoma, scheduled for the last quarter of the year.
According to the official update changelog report, Apple confirmed:
Fixed an issue where iPod shuffle (3rd and 4th generation) could not sync due to an unknown error (-244). It’s unclear how long the bug has been affecting iPod shuffle owners, or even if it only affects a small number of users, but luckily Apple is working to fix it soon.
Apple doesn’t forget the iPod
Apple discontinued the iPod shuffle in 2017, so this is a niche bug fix. The original iPod shuffle was released in 2005 and was the first model without a screen, allowing for a more portable design and a lower starting price of $100 with 512MB of storage. A 1GB model was available for $149.
At the time, Steve Jobs had the opportunity to present the deviceand did so by highlighting its differentiating characteristics:
iPod shuffle is smaller and lighter than a pack of gum and costs less than $100. With most flash memory music players, users must use tiny screens and complicated controls to find their music; With iPod shuffle you just kick back and offer new combinations of your music every time you listen to it.