I actually think this is a mistake. Lots of kids use it as a handheld gaming device. It is perfect for that. iPad Mini is also great for that but iPod is cheaper and can be replaced more regularly.
When Apple came out with the iPod Touch it made a huge impact in the handheld gaming world. It even caused some gaming companies to focus on handheld more. Now with the Nintendo Switch (even 3DS), SteamDeck and even prior with the PSP there is more competition there. However, it still allows kids to have a device that has their Apple games and not have to use parents phones or having to get them a phone to play.
iPod Touch was one thing Apple had over competitors before the iPad and iPad mini, there wasn't a comparable Android handheld that wasn't a phone.
We make handheld/mobile games and our iPod Touches are nice to have to test smaller screens over using iPhones and optimizing for the smaller devices makes the iPad devices perform better. Lots of gaming companies buy touches up.
I think this is a mistake that will impact them on some of the handheld gaming side. It will also mean more parents phones being used over getting them a more expensive iPad or iPad Touch. It may end up with less devices sold and less games played on Apple devices.
When Apple came out with the iPod Touch it made a huge impact in the handheld gaming world. It even caused some gaming companies to focus on handheld more. Now with the Nintendo Switch (even 3DS), SteamDeck and even prior with the PSP there is more competition there. However, it still allows kids to have a device that has their Apple games and not have to use parents phones or having to get them a phone to play.
iPod Touch was one thing Apple had over competitors before the iPad and iPad mini, there wasn't a comparable Android handheld that wasn't a phone.
We make handheld/mobile games and our iPod Touches are nice to have to test smaller screens over using iPhones and optimizing for the smaller devices makes the iPad devices perform better. Lots of gaming companies buy touches up.
I think this is a mistake that will impact them on some of the handheld gaming side. It will also mean more parents phones being used over getting them a more expensive iPad or iPad Touch. It may end up with less devices sold and less games played on Apple devices.