This Is Why the Newest iPod nano and iPod shuffle Won’t Have Apple Music

Sorry Apple Music fans; the newest music subscription service straight out of Cupertino will not be available on the new iPod nano and iPod shuffle, and we will explain why.

Just this past week, Apple began offering up new versions of their iPods. The iPod was initially thought to have been lost in the wave of hype surrounding the new releases of the iPhone and the brand new Apple Watch. However, Apple has given refreshes to the iPod touch, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle. They are now back on the market with a new style, arriving right in the wake of Apple Music, which was unveiled at this year’s WWDC and officially launched last month.

But if you’re thinking of purchasing one of Apple’s new iPod music devices, you should know this: Apple Music will not work on the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle. This is because of two things. First, the devices do not have Wi-Fi capabilities. Secondly, the devices are not capable of syncing your offline Apple Music collection because, According to Apple blog 9to5Mac, it “is simply to prevent piracy.”

The piracy concern that Apple is referring to is the ability for users to keep an offline collection of songs, even after canceling their Apple Music subscription. Due to their lack of Wi-Fi capabilities, the nano and shuffle devices wouldn’t be constantly synced with the iOS Music app. The syncing function allows Apple to confirm an active subscription. Similar streaming services (like Rdio and Spotify) get around this loophole by requiring their users to check in once every month or so. However, Apple apparently did not seem as keen on including such a feature in iTunes.

You will, of course, still be able to store purchased iTunes or DRM-free music on the devices…but for now Apple Music is a no-go.

Rest assured, you will be able to get Apple Music on the new and improved iPod touch. The new touch version comes with an 8MP camera, A8 processor, 4-inch Retina display, and bigger storage offerings (a 128GB version was added to the previous 16, 32, and 64GB lineup).

Some wonder why Apple continues to bother with refreshes of a device that seems to be trumped by the iPhone. Forbes suggests two potential scenarios for the iPod touch. The device can act as a “stepping stone” by swaying younger users towards Apple products. Furthermore, there is some speculation that Apple may be moving towards using the  as a photo and gaming device (given the new camera and hardware specs).