14 DAY TRIAL // After posting a “discontinued” sign on a still available “buy” page for the Apple Bluetooth Headset, Apple has now completely removed the accessory from its inventory, redirecting users to the main page of its Online Store. An analysis over at AppleInsider puts the move somewhere between Apple's ceding the headset business to third parties, or returning with an improved version that complements the features of iPhone OS 3.0.
According to the aforementioned web site, a couple of unconfirmed tips suggest Apple may have recalled existing inventory of the iPhone Bluetooth Headset for one reason or another. Just like the time Softpedia also reported the discontinuing of the accessory, Apple still lists the Bluetooth Headset as an available accessory over at the iPhone tech-specs page (pictured left). Now, however, by clicking on the “iPhone Bluetooth Headset” to make the buy, Apple redirected us to the US online store main page.
Apple is known to discontinue products when prepping to introduce new, updated models. It is only logical to assume that the company may want to meet certain (iPhone OS 3.0) requirements when customers upgrade in summer 2009. However, there's also the possibility that Apple may simply want to get some of the accessory business off its hands.
AppleInsider points out to an Apple statement after introducing the iPod Hi-Fi portable speaker system for the iPod in 2006, and discontinuing the product the following year, without a replacement.
"Apple has decided to focus priorities on the iPod and iPhone and will not be making more iPod Hi-Fi units. There are over 4,000 accessories in the iPod ecosystem and hundreds of speakers systems designed specifically for the iPod, which provide customers with a wide variety of options," the company said.
Similarly, there are now dozens, if not hundreds of hardware makers out there that could easily deliver iPhone-compatible Bluetooth headsets. And with the Made for iPod and Works with iPhone Licensing program recently announced by Apple, there's really no mystery to the company's move at all.