The iPod wasn't the first MP3 player.A number of companies had released MP3 players before Apple unveiled what came to be one of its flagship products. Butthe iPod was the first truly great MP3 player, and it as the one that turned the MP3 player into a must-have device for most people.
The original iPod didn't have the most storage capacity or the most features, but it did have a dead-simple user interface, terrific industrial design, and the polish that define Apple products (it also has an interesting story about how it got its name).
Looking back to when the iPodwas introduced, it's hard to remember just how different the world of computing and portable devices was. There was no Facebook, no Twitter, no apps, no iPhone, no Netflix. The world was a very different place.
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As technology evolved, the iPod evolved with it, often helping to drive innovations and evolutions. This article looks back at the history of the iPod, one model at a time. Each entry features a different model from the original iPod line and shows how they changed and improved over tim. (We have separate articles tracing the history of the iPod touch and the history of the iPod Shuffle.)
Want to know just how successful the iPod really was? Check out This is the Number of iPods Sold All-Time.
The Original (1st Generation) iPod
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Introduced: Oct. 2001
Released: Nov. 2001
Discontinued: July 2002
The 1st generation iPod can be identified by its scroll wheel, surrounded by four buttons (clockwise from the top: menu, forward, play/pause, backward), and its center button for selecting items. When it was introduced, the iPod was a Mac-only product. It required Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X 10.1.
While it was not the first MP3 player, the original iPod was both smaller and easier to use than many of its competitors. As a result, it quickly attracted accolades and strong sales. The iTunes Store wasn't introduced until 2003, so users had to add music to their iPods from CDs or other online sources.
At the time of its introduction, Apple wasn't the powerhouse company it later became. The initial success of the iPod, and its successor products, were major factors in the company's explosive growth.
Capacity
5 GB (about 1,000 songs)
10 GB (about 2,000 songs) - released in March 2002
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Audio Formats
MP3
WAV
AIFF
Colors
White
Screen
160 x 128 pixels
2 inch
Grayscale
Connectors
FireWire
Battery Life
10 hours
Dimensions
4.02 x 2.43 x 0.78 inches
Weight
6.5 ounces
Original Price
US$399 - 5 GB
$499 - 10 GB
Requirements
Mac:Mac OS 9 or higher; iTunes 2 or higher
The Second Generation iPod
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Released: July 2002
Discontinued: April 2003
The 2nd Generation iPod debuted less than a year after the original model's great success. The second generation model added a number of new features: Windows support, increased storage capacity, and a touch-sensitive wheel, as opposed to the mechanical wheel that the original iPod had used.
While the body of the device was largely the same as the first generation model, the front of the second generation sported rounded corners.At the time of its introduction, the iTunes Store still had not been introduced (it would appear in 2003).
The second generation iPod also came in four limited-edition models, featuring the signatures of Madonna, Tony Hawk, or Beck, or the logo of the band No Doubt, engraved on the back of the device for an additional $50.
Capacity
5 GB (about 1,000 songs)
10 GB (about 2,000 songs)
20 GB (about 4,000 songs)
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Audio Formats
MP3
WAV
AIFF
Audible audiobooks (Mac only)
Colors
White
Screen
160 x 128 pixels
2 inch
Grayscale
Connectors
FireWire
Battery Life
10 hours
Dimensions
4 x 2.4 x 0.78 inches - 5 GB Model
4 x 2.4 x 0.72 inches - 10 GB Model
4 x 2.4 x 0.84 inches - 20 GB Model
Weight
6.5 ounces - 5 GB and 10 GB models
7.2 ounces - 20 GB model
Original Price
$299 - 5 GB
$399 - 10 GB
$499 - 20 GB
Requirements
Mac: Mac OS 9.2.2 or Mac OS X 10.1.4 or higher; iTunes 2 (for OS 9) or 3 (for OS X)
Windows: Windows ME, 2000, or XP; MusicMatch Jukebox Plus
The Third Generation iPod
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Released: April 2003
Discontinued: July 2004
This iPod model marked a break in design from the previous models. The third-generationiPod introduced a new body style for the device, which was thinner and had more-rounded corners. It also introduced the touch wheel, which was a touch-sensitive means of scrolling through content on the device. The forward/backward, play/pause, and menu buttons were removed from around the wheel and placed in a row between the touch wheel and screen.
In addition, the 3rd gen. iPod introduced the Dock Connector port on the bottom, which became the standard means of connecting most future iPods models (except the Shuffle) to computers and compatible accessories.
The iTunes Store was introduced at the same time as this model. A Windows-compatible version of iTunes was introduced in Oct. 2003, five months after the third-generation iPod debuted.Windows users were required to reformat the iPod for Windows before they could use it.
Capacity
10 GB (about 2,500 songs)
15 GB (about 3,700 songs)
20 GB (about 5,000 songs) - replaced 15GB model in Sept. 2003
30 GB (about 7,500 songs)
40 GB (about 10,000 songs) - replaced 30GB model in Sept. 2003
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Audio Formats
AAC (Mac only)
MP3
WAV
AIFF
Colors
White
Screen
160 x 128 pixels
2 inch
Grayscale
Connectors
Dock Connector
Optional FireWire-to-USB adapter
Battery Life
8 hours
Dimensions
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.62 inches -10, 15, 20 GB Models
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.73 inches -30 and 40 GB models
Weight
5.6 ounces - 10, 15, 20 GB models
6.2 ounces - 30 and 40 GB models
Original Price
$299 - 10 GB
$399 - 15 GB & 20 GB
$499 - 30 GB & 40 GB
Requirements
Mac: Mac OS X 10.1.5 or higher; iTunes
Windows: Windows ME, 2000, or XP; MusicMatch Jukebox Plus 7.5; later iTunes 4.1
The Fourth Generation iPod (a.k.a. iPod Photo)
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Released: July 2004
Discontinued: October 2005
The 4th Generation iPod was another complete redesign and included a handful of spin-off iPod products that were eventually merged into the 4th Generation iPod line.
This model iPod brought the Clickwheel, which was introduced on the originaliPod mini, to the main iPod line. The Clickwheel was both touch-sensitive for scrolling and had buttons built in that allowed the user to click the wheel to select menu, forward/backward, and play/pause. The center button was still used to select onscreen items.
This model also featured two special editions: a 30 GB U2 edition that included the band's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album pre-loaded on the iPod, engraved signatures from the band, and a coupon to purchase the band's entire catalog from iTunes (Oct. 2004); a Harry Potter edition that included that Hogwarts logo engraved on the iPod and all 6 then-available Potter books pre-loaded as audiobooks (Sept. 2005).
Also debuting around this time was the iPod Photo, a version of the 4th generation iPod that included a color screen and the ability to display photos. The iPod Photo line was merged into the original line in fall 2005.
Capacity
20 GB (about 5,000 songs) - Clickwheel model only
30 GB (about 7,500 songs) - Clickwheel model only
40 GB (about 10,000 songs)
60 GB (about 15,000 songs) - iPod Photo model only
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Formats
Music:
- AAC
- MP3
- WAV
- AIFF
- Apple Lossless
- Audible audiobooks
Photos (iPod Photo only):
- JPEG
- BMP
- GIF
- TIFF
- PSD
- PNG
Colors
White
Red and Black (U2 special edition)
Screen
Clickwheel models: 160 x 128 pixels; 2 inch; Grayscale
iPod Photo: 220 x 176 pixels; 2 inch; 65,536 colors
Connectors
Dock Connector
Battery Life
Clickwheel: 12 hours
iPod Photo: 15 hours
Dimensions
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.57 inches- 20 & 30 GB Clickwheel Models
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.69 inches- 40 GB Clickwheel Model
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.74 inches- iPod Photo Models
Weight
5.6 ounces - 20 & 30 GB Clickwheel models
6.2 ounces - 40 GB Clickwheel model
6.4 ounces - iPod Photo model
Original Price
$299 - 20 GB Clickwheel
$349 - 30 GB U2 Edition
$399 - 40 GB Clickwheel
$499 - 40 GB iPod Photo
$599 - 60 GB iPod Photo ($440 in Feb. 2005; $399 in June 2005)
Requirements
Mac: Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher; iTunes
Windows: Windows 2000 or XP; iTunes
Also Known As: iPod Photo, iPod with Color Display, Clickwheel iPod
The Hewlett-Packard iPod
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Released: January 2004
Discontinued: July 2005
Apple is known for not being interested in licensing its technology. For instance, it was one of the only major computer companies never to have licensed its hardware or software to "clone" computer makers who created compatible and competing Macs. (Well, almost; That changed briefly in the 1990s, but as soon as Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he ended that practice.)
Because of this, you might expect that Apple would not have been interested in licensing the iPod or allowing anyone else to sell a version of it. But that’s not the case.
Perhaps because the company had learned from its failure to license the Mac OS (some observers think that Apple would have a much larger computer market sharein the '80s and '90s if it had done so) or perhaps because it wanted to expand possible sales, Apple licensed the iPod to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2004.
On January 8, 2004, HP announced that it would begin selling its own version of the iPod—basically, it was a standard iPod with the HP logo on it. It sold this iPod for a while and even launched a TV advertising campaign for it. At one time, HP’s iPod accounted for 5% of total iPod sales.
Less than 18 months later, though, HP announced it would no longer sell its HP-branded iPod, citing Apple’s difficult terms (something many telecoms complained about when Apple was shopping for a deal for the original iPhone).
After that, no other company ever licensed the iPod (or really any hardware or software from Apple).
Models sold:20GB and 40GB 4th Generation iPods; iPod mini; iPod Photo; iPod Shuffle
The Fifth Generation iPod (a.k.a. iPod Video)
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Released: Oct. 2005
Discontinued: Sept. 2007
The 5th Generation iPod improved on the iPod Photo by adding the ability to play videos on its 2.5-inch color screen. It came in two colors, sported a smaller Clickwheel, and had a flat face, instead of the rounded ones used on previous models.
The initial models were 30 GB and 60 GB, with an 80 GB model replacing the 60 GB in 2006. A 30 GB U2 Special Edition was also available at launch. By this point, videos were available at the iTunes Store for use with the iPod Video.
Capacity
30 GB (about 7,500 songs)
60 GB (about 15,000 songs)
80 GB (about 20,000 songs)
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Formats
Music:
- AAC
- MP3
- WAV
- AIFF
- Apple Lossless
- Audible audiobooks
Photos:
- JPEG
- BMP
- GIF
- TIFF
- PSD
- PNG
Video:
- H.264
- MPEG-4
Colors
White
Black
Screen
320 x 240 pixels
2.5 inch
65,000 Colors
Connectors
Dock Connector
Battery Life
14 hours- 30 GB Model
20 hours - 60 & 80 GB Models
Dimensions
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.43 inches- 30 GB Model
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.55 inches- 60 & 80 GB Models
Weight
4.8 ounces- 30 GB Model
5.5 ounces- 60 & 80 GB Models
Original Price
$299 ($249 in Sept. 2006) - 30 GB Model
$349 -Special Edition U2 30 GB model
$399 - 60 GB Model
$349 - 80 GB Model; introduced Sept. 2006
Requirements
Mac: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher; iTunes
Windows: 2000 or XP; iTunes
Also Known As: iPod with Video, iPod Video
The iPod Classic (a.k.a. Sixth Generation iPod)
Released: Sept. 2007
Discontinued: Sept. 9, 2014
The iPod Classic (a.k.a. the 6th Generation iPod) was part of the continued evolution of the original iPod line that began in 2001. It was also the final iPod from the original line. When Apple discontinued the device in 2014, smartphones (including iOS-based devices like the iPhone) dominated the market and made standalone MP3 players irrelevant.
The iPod Classic replaced the iPod Video, or 5th Generation iPod, in Fall 2007. It was renamed the iPod Classic to distinguish it from other new iPod models introduced at the time, including the iPod touch.
The iPod Classic plays music, audiobooks, and videos, and adds the CoverFlow interface to the standard iPod line. The CoverFlow interface debuted on Apple's portable products on the iPhone in summer 2007.
While the original versions of the iPod Classic offered 80 GB and 120 GB models, they were later replaced by the 160 GB model.
Curious how this final version of the iPod Classic compared to the final version of other iPod models? Check out our iPod comparison chart.
Capacity
80 GB (about 20,000 songs)
120 GB (about 30,000 songs)
160 GB (about 40,000 songs)
Mechanical hard drive used for storage
Supported Formats
Music:
- AAC
- MP3
- WAV
- AIFF
- Apple Lossless
- Audible audiobooks
Photos:
- JPEG
- BMP
- GIF
- TIFF
- PSD
- PNG
Video:
- H.264
- MPEG-4
Colors
White
Black
Screen
320 x 240 pixels
2.5 inch
65,000 Colors
Connectors
Dock Connector
Battery Life
30 hours - 80 GB Model
36 hours - 120 GB Model
40 hours - 160 GB Model
Dimensions
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches- 80 GB Model
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches- 120 GB Model
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.53 inches- 160 GB Model
Weight
4.9 ounces- 80 GB Model
4.9 ounces- 120 GB Model
5.7 ounces- 160 GB Model
Original Price
$249 - 80 GB Model
$299- 120 GB Model
$249 (introduced Sept. 2009)- 160 GB Model
Requirements
Mac: Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher (10.4.11 for 120 GB model); iTunes 7.4 or higher (8.0 for 120 GB model)
Windows: Vista or XP; iTunes 7.4 or higher (8.0 for 120 GB model)
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics. Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, here is some information related to each concept:
iPod:
The iPod is a line of portable media players developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It was first introduced in October 2001 and quickly became a popular device for playing digital music. The iPod allowed users to store and listen to a large number of songs in a compact and user-friendly device. Over time, the iPod evolved with new features and models, including the iPod Classic, iPod Touch, and iPod Shuffle.
MP3 Player:
An MP3 player is a portable electronic device used for playing digital audio files in the MP3 format. MP3 players became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a convenient way to carry and listen to music on the go. While the iPod was not the first MP3 player, it played a significant role in popularizing the concept and became one of the most successful and iconic MP3 players.
Apple:
Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company based in Cupertino, California. It is known for designing, developing, and selling consumer electronics, software, and online services. Apple has been at the forefront of innovation with products like the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. The company's focus on user-friendly design and seamless integration between hardware and software has contributed to its success.
iTunes Store:
The iTunes Store is an online digital media store operated by Apple Inc. It was launched in April 2003 and initially offered music downloads for iPod users. Over time, the iTunes Store expanded to include other media types such as movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, and apps. It played a crucial role in the success of the iPod by providing a convenient platform for users to purchase and download digital content.
iPod Touch:
The iPod Touch is a line of portable media players developed by Apple Inc. It was first introduced in September 2007 and is similar in design to the iPhone but without cellular capabilities. The iPod Touch runs on iOS, the same operating system used by iPhones and iPads, and offers features such as internet connectivity, app support, and multimedia playback. It has become popular among users who want a device primarily for media consumption and app usage.
iPod Shuffle:
The iPod Shuffle is a compact and lightweight music player developed by Apple Inc. It was first introduced in January 2005 and is known for its small size and lack of a screen. The iPod Shuffle is designed for users who prefer a simple and portable music player without the need for advanced features or a large storage capacity. It is operated using a control pad on the device itself and supports features like shuffle mode and voiceover.
Please let me know if you would like more information on any specific topic or if there's anything else I can assist you with!
