News
Happy 6th Birthday, iPod
Six years ago today, on October 23, 2001, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPod, a $399 hard drive-based MP3 player with a unique Scroll Wheel and bright white LCD interface, an amazingly pocketable size, and high-speed FireWire for synchronization and charging. The first-generation iPod actually shipped in mid-November, eventually selling 125,000 units by the end of 2001.
One hundred and twenty million units later, that iPod has evolved into the sixth iteration, the iPod classic, spawned other iPod models such as the mini, shuffle, nano, and touch, and seen its capacity increase 32 times, even while falling in price. It has also played a major part in Apple’s remarkable growth from a struggling computer company to a major consumer electronics manufacturer, inspiring the iPhone and helping boost sales of iMac and MacBook computers.
In December of 2005, we asked you, our readers, whether ‘05 represented the “Year of the iPod,” or if we were instead in the middle of “The iPod Decade.” Nearly two years later, there is literally no end in sight for sales of the iconic jukebox, and with Apple leveraging the iPod+iTunes ecosystem with new products, we may just be getting started.
From all of us at iLounge to Apple’s iPod teams, past and present, congratulations on your sixth birthday. We will be here to celebrate many, many more.
Related Stories
- Key iPhone, iPod executive left Apple last year
- Apple seeds iOS 5.1 beta 3 to developers
- Corning details Gorilla Glass 2: 20% thinner
- Code found in iOS 5.1 points to quad-core chips
- GameStop sees ‘strong’ interest in iOS trade program
- Kindle app adds magazines, PDF document support
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming early Monday, giveaway reminder
- iBackFlip launches Somersault case for iPad
- Motorola loses third patent case against Apple in Germany
- Apple rushing to pick demo apps for next iPad launch
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Periscope Audio Lab releases SpaceSampler
- Evernote Hello improves contact entry features
- eMailGanizer Pro adds Universal Inbox, Smart Folders
- Scosche rolls out bassDock for iPad
- German court rejects Apple bid to ban Galaxy 10.1N
Recent Reviews
- Cygnett Apollo for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
- Spigen SGP Kuel F60Q Battery Pack
- Just Mobile Highway + Highway Pro for iPod, iPhone + iPad
- Speck CandyShell and CandyShell Satin for iPhone 4/4S
- Jensen JiPS-310i Docking Speaker for iPod, iPhone & iPad
- FrappeDesign Smart Sleeve for iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?
1
I miss the mechanical scroll wheel of the 2G iPods.
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on October 23, 2007 at 1:10 PM (PDT)
2
Happy Birthday !
Posted by iluke on October 23, 2007 at 1:11 PM (PDT)
3
hope many many more birthdays ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
Posted by gonzalo on October 23, 2007 at 1:36 PM (PDT)
4
I agree with Galley. The scroll wheel was mechanical…but cool and very exacting.
Posted by RNB in Bakersfield, CA on October 23, 2007 at 1:42 PM (PDT)
5
So in 10 years, can we throw a “My Super Sweet 16” party for the iPod?
Posted by cxc273 on October 23, 2007 at 2:18 PM (PDT)
6
Happy 6th birthday iPod!!!!!! ^_^
Posted by xSceneRaverKidx on October 23, 2007 at 3:57 PM (PDT)
7
Actually, only the 1G iPods had a mechanical, moving scrollwheel. The 2G iPods had a solid-state scroll-wheel that looked exactly like the 1G wheels. Besides dimensions, the 2G form factor was otherwise similar to the 1G.
Posted by lkalliance on October 23, 2007 at 6:09 PM (PDT)
8
Happy Birthday to a revolutionary product
.
Posted by ddsd on October 23, 2007 at 6:09 PM (PDT)
9
Happy Birthday
... It grew like a rose out of concrete. It’s beautiful and many more years ahead ....
Posted by dennis on October 24, 2007 at 4:02 AM (PDT)
10
My first iPod was a 5th-gen w video. Now, I have the iPhone. I didn’t care much about Apple until I got that iPod. I fell in love. Now, with iPhone and a growing iPod collection (because many other members of my household are catching on to the feeling) I too see no end in sight. Just bought an Apple laptop last month… henceforth HATE my Dell. And it’s all because of iPod. Thanks, Apple! Happy B-day iPod.
Posted by Chad L on October 24, 2007 at 5:26 AM (PDT)
11
I discovered the world of Apple because of that little programme called iTunes, then with my 4th gen iPod and last year with my macbookpro. I’ll never look back now. Next up, an iPhone (locked or unlocked, I’m getting it), an iPod touch (when there’s more storage) and an iMac next year. Slave to Apple I guess lol
Posted by canadan on October 24, 2007 at 8:49 PM (PDT)
12
I am in my early 40’s love my 30G i-pod, and heavy metal, i-pod’s are also commercial free in the car..
Posted by Beeg on October 25, 2007 at 7:38 PM (PDT)
13
Well…. to answer the post about 10 years from now… in the US, your iPod may offer the ability to concent, but I’d hate to see that dock connector that allows you to do that.
Posted by Lauren Glenn on October 26, 2007 at 9:10 PM (PDT)