10.23.2006 Apple iPod Turns Five Years Old
October 23, 2001
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs introduced the first Apple iPod with the tagline: “1,000 songs in your pocket”. It was a 5GB hard disk based portable digital music player (MP3 player). Apple iPod was not the first hard disk based MP3 player, but it was the first to be in a compact form. It was first using 1.8″ hard drive as opposed to 2.5″ and 3.5″ hard drives. Unlike any other models, the iPod utilizes FireWire connectivity for fast data transfer. It is also tighly integrated into Apple iTunes, the experience only Mac users could have at that time.
Shortly after the release of iPod, other manufacturers started releasing compact hard drive based MP3 players. None of thm could compete with the function and the style of iPod. There were two things that made iPod stood out:
* The iConic white color on its faceplate and the earbuds
* The ScrollWheel
The original 5GB iPod (the iPod classic) was priced at $399, a seemingly shocking sticker price. Apple only sold 125,000 units of iPod within the first two months of its introduction. Apple then released a 10GB model which was retailed for $499 a few months after.
The second generations (2G) iPod came in 10GB and 20GB. The appearance of the first and second generations of iPod were almost identical. In response to the few wear and tear problems with the scrollwheel, Apple replaced it with a circular touchpad. The 2G iPod also sports a cover on its firewire port. Apple also rolled out Windows-formatted iPod after the release of 2G iPod.
The third generations (3G) iPod came in larger capacities. Throughout its life span, 3G iPod came in 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 GB capacities. The iPod was redesigned eliminating all mechanical buttons. The 3g iPod featured circular touchpad, with four touch sensitive buttons above the touchpad and one in its center. In addition to that, Apple replaced the FireWire port with a USB2.0/FireWire combo port. Apple released iTunes for Windows in 2003 with full iPod support.
The fourth generations (4G) iPod came in 20, 30, 40, and 60 GB capacities. Once again, the iPod was redesigned. thistime, all the touch sensitive buttons and the circular touchwheel were replaced with a circular and mechanical touchpad, and a mechanical center button. It’s called the ClickWheel. The 4G iPod resembles more like the original iPod than the 3G iPod. Apple also released iPod with color screen and dub it as iPod photo.
The fifth generations (5G) iPod came in even larger capacities. it came in 30, 60, and 80GB capacities. It also has bigger screen and capable of playing videos. The 5G iPod lost its ability to sync over FireWire. The 5G iPod syncs only through USB 2.0, but it will still charge through FireWire.
There are also different incarnations of iPod. They are:
* iPod mini - 2GB, 4GB, and 6GB (2 generations)
* iPod shuffle - 512MB and 1GB (first generation)
* iPod shuffle - 1GB (second generation - current in 2006)
* iPod nano - 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB (first generation)
* iPod nano - 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB (second generation - current in 2006) which resemble smaller and thinner iPod mini
Overall, Apple has sold over 67,000,000 iPods so far. With all the rumors and speculations of its next generations, the iPod will certainly be in the spotlight times and again.
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I am celebrating iPod fifth birthday by listening to music and Podcasts on the first iPod I bought back in 2001. It is the original iPod - an iPod classic.
http://37prime.com/blog/2006/10/23/apple-ipod-turns-five-years-old/
