I kid you not, I just ordered a new iPod Touch from the Apple store. I've had one for oh, five-ish years, which now I know I'm lucky as their battery life is only expected for 3 or so years. It will not hold a charge anymore.
Then, the. next. day. I read that Apple is discontinuing production of them because of the diverse functions of the iPhone. I guess the Touch is now considered redundant. But here's why I grieve and why I disagree:
I like that I have a separate device from my phone to listen to music and podcasts. I am not interrupted or distracted by messages or notifications or calls. It takes decent photos. Also, it is smaller than an iPhone. I don't even have an iPhone, although I do have an iTunes account.
I guess I could research when my new Touch dies whether anyone is making an MP3 player like the Touch, but I'm not hopeful.