The original iMac lacked a floppy-disk drive, and the MacBook Air did not have an Ethernet port.
In both cases, Apple's rationale was the older standard was no longer needed because it was being replaced by newer ones - CD drives and Wi-Fi.
The latest example is the new iPod shuffle ($NZ155), which in addition to being smaller than an AA battery, does not feature essential controls such as volume, play/pause or next/previous song on the device itself.
Instead, the controls are on the cord of the earbuds that come with it.
This means if you use any other headphones with it, you can listen, but that's it.
Same thing goes for connecting it to speakers or a car stereo.
The device does have a switch to turn it off and choose if you want to shuffle your songs or listen in order.
Why did Apple do this? Putting controls on the iPod would have prevented the company from making the device as small as it wanted to.
Housing the controls on the earbud cords will limit the shuffle's appeal, but then again, the shuffle has never been for everyone.
As Apple's entry-level iPod, it lacks a screen to display song titles or video, and it has never been good for listening to podcasts or audio books.
It has always been popular with runners and gym addicts, and some of its new features make it more versatile.
If you don't mind using only the included Apple earbuds, the new shuffle is a brilliant device that packs a lot into a small package.
First, its storage capacity has improved dramatically to 4GB, allowing you to store up to 1000 songs.
Its most exciting feature is VoiceOver, which solves the problem of not having a screen to display what song is playing.
When you hold in the centre button on the cord, a computerised voice speaks the song title and artist.
It's not perfect.
It pronounced Salt-N-Pepa as "Salt-N-pee-pa", but it's a big help when you can't figure out what you're listening to.
Although some might see the earbud controls as the shuffle's worst feature, they can also be viewed as one of its best - you can clip it anywhere (on your T-shirt, hat, belt, etc.) and not feel like you are being weighed down and it's easier to change songs while you are running because you can just reach your hand up near your face to press the button instead of having to interrupt your stride by fumbling with the device itself.
When Apple introduced a computer without a floppy-disk drive, it sped up the demise of that technology.
Although the new shuffle could lead to more headphones with ear-bud controls, I'm not sure it will completely remake the market.
Lots of people can't stand Apple earbuds because they don't fit their ears, or they don't provide noise cancellation, but if you can deal with the earbuds and just plan to use it while you exercise, the shuffle is a great choice. - Etan Horowitz
