I became a part of a global community when I joined the App Store frenzy, much like many others. Like many other users, I have a deep affection for Apple products.

On the other hand, I think we've advanced technology too quickly, with items made to divert our attention from the outside world. I've been carrying this worry around with me, which is why I gave up wearing an Apple Watch years ago. Not because it's a bad product; rather, I got sick of always being connected.

I've worked with Macs since 2008, totaling thousands of hours of use. I spend more time online than I would like because I work from home. I use my iPhone and AirPods to listen to Apple Music, catch up on podcasts, and enjoy Audible audiobooks when I'm not at work. I'm tired from the past 15 years since it seems like I've been connected all the time. I'm not the only one who feels this way; the US has depressingly high rates of mental illness, particularly among youth and young adults.

When my family and I visited Disney World a few weeks ago, it was disheartening to see everyone glued to their iPhones. While riding? Selfie. in the row? looking through social media. Having lunch? Put a screen in front of you. In 2024, the world would be unfamiliar to someone born in 2004. However, I am aware that this is not the world that Apple imagined. We are dependent on our electronics. We are now dependent on the dopamine rush. YouTube videos lasting five minutes are too long. 15-second TikTok videos are now necessary. You may forget about viewing entire films without browsing via Facebook or Instagram. Everybody knows that something is off. Everyone is aware that this cannot go on. We must cut our connection. We require extended durations of disconnection.We require a vacation. For the benefit of our mental health, we must take a vacation.

Since I knew I needed this, I began to consider making a change. Time travel was what I desired. I desired to lose myself in the melody. Tim, music was the essence of what Apple used to be. Apple Music is a fantastic service, yes. It's a fantastic deal. Or to put it another way, it's online. That pertains to connectedness. Apps weren't what I wanted. I desired records. I purchased a 7th Generation iPod Classic with an SSD drive and a new battery because I wanted to listen to music the way I used to.

Bluetooth isn't present. Wi-Fi is not available. It is difficult to utilize. The apparatus is sluggish. It seems so outdated to sync music from my Mac. In comparison to my iPhone with AirPods Pro, the audio sounds far worse here. I adore my iPod, even though using one in 2024 is technically a huge step backward. I adore every aspect of it. I enjoy looking through my photo albums. I enjoy going on runs without my iPhone. My iPhone remains on my desk after I have completed my task. I will take calls if they come in. Otherwise, I don't use a smartphone in the evenings. I'll put on an album I haven't listened to in a few years while doing laundry. I'm falling in love with music again. Once more, I'm losing myself in the music.This is the Apple that captured my heart. Twenty years ago, a large portion of the globe learned about this Apple. Chop, Blend, and Fire. $.99 tracks, $9.99 albums, and USB syncing. Giving up my iPhone in favor of audiobooks and music has been a soul-satisfying move. It's greatly improved my mental well-being. I've overcome an addiction I had no idea I had. I go for hours on end without checking my social media accounts, email, or anything else after work. I turn off my computer after I'm done working.

Tim, we need a little offline in today's world. We must touch the grass. Vitamin D is necessary. We must overcome our dopamine addiction to feeds, likes, and everything related activities. Unknowingly, Apple brought about the current status of the planet. It's time for Apple to guide us forward. Let's make disconnecting commonplace. Let's make it commonplace to go extended periods of time without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a refresh pull.

Even though it's not as convenient to use an iPod in 2024, I choose to use something technically worse because I know that my heart, soul, and mind require it. The majority of individuals won't go on that adventure. Tim, how would the iPod design be in 2024? It wouldn't be all that different from my current iPod classic, in my opinion. the form element. The user interface. The encounter. Everything was ideal at the moment, and things can get back to normal. If you synced it to your Mac once a month to validate the subscription, it might even function with Apple Music. Now let's disconnect. Restoring thousands of music to our pockets is our goal.Let's talk about the advantages of spending extended amounts of time away from anything online while we bring back the iPod.