The Evolution Of The iPod
By Max on Dec 1, 2007 in MP3 Players
The dynamic and powerful iPod, marketed and designed by Apple Inc., is in its sixth generation of portable media players. The iPod Classic is the latest to be introduced in a long, popular line of six generations.
Every generation has used a 1.8″ storage hard drive and led the industry in MP3 players. The iPod was deemed a “classic” on September 5, 2007, when Apple announced its release of the iPod Classic.
First generation - revolutionizing the media player
October 23, 2001 - Apple Inc. introduced the very first-generation iPod Classic. This iPod was $399, featuring a 5 GB hard drive capable of a storing 1,000 songs. This innovative iPod revolutionized the mp3 industry with its small compact size; the iPod utilized a 1.8″ hard drive, while all other players were manufactured with a 2.5″ hard drive.
The click wheel created an easy, innate navigation controlled by a scroll wheel and an “OK” button in the center. Around the wheel were convenient auxiliary buttons, such as play, rewind, and fast forward. The battery life of this iPod lasted through 12 hours of song play.
March 20, 2002 - taking the iPod to the next level, Apple released a 10 GB version, which cost $499. It was during this release that Apple added vCard compatibility, as well as allowed iPods to sync business card information from Mac computers.
Second generation - increasing convenience and functionality
July 17, 2002 - Next to be introduced was the second generation of iPod Classic. The hold button was redesigned, while keeping the same body style of the first generation. The mechanical click wheel was replaced by an intuitive wheel that was sensitive to the touch. The iPod’s style was slightly altered, featuring rounded edges and corners. On the FireWire port, Apple added a protective cover.
This iPod was available with 10 GB at a cost of $399, while the 20 GB was priced at $499. The price of the first generation had been reduced to $299 for the remaining inventory carried over with the announcement of the second generation.
In December of 2002, limited edition iPods were unveiled by Apple, with Tony Hawk’s, Beck’s, or Madonna’s signature. There was also an option to purchase the band logo of No Doubt, engraved on the back for an extra $50. Beginning with the second generation, Apple started selling iPods that were PC compatible. They were not bundled with iTunes, but Musicmatch Jukebox, and they had featured FireWire adapters with either four or six pins.
Third generation - morphing into sleeker, slimmer designs
April 18, 2003 - A totally redesigned iPod of the third generation was announced by Apple. This model had a sleeker, thinner design, and its casing featured additional rounding of corners and edges. The new generation boasted a new dock connector that replaced the FireWire port.
In addition, this third generation iPod introduced a non-mechanical interface, called the Touch Wheel, with a row of 4 buttons located between the touch wheel and the screen. Lastly, this iPod contained a new remote connector, with a 10 pin jack - an upgrade from the first two generations’ auxiliary ring.
The introductory price was set at $299 for the 10 GB model, $399 for 15 GB, and $499 for 30 GB. Compatible with both the Mac and PC, Windows users simply needed to reformat the iPods before they could utilize them on a PC. All iPods came with both Musicmatch and iTunes in a bundle.
September 8, 2003 - The 20 GB replaced the 15 GB model, and the 30 GB model was upgraded to a 40 GB model. At this time, only iTunes was available for the iPods, as Musicmatch’s support was discontinued.
Fourth generation - sharing mini music with the world
January 6th, 2004 - Apple introduces the iPod mini, which is a revolution in the mp3 player realm. The smallest player to ever hold 1000 songs, music lovers worldwide were quickly enamored with its convenient size.
July 19th, 2004 - Modest modifications were made to the iPod mini, including replacing the Touch Wheel with the Click Wheel. In addition, the four navigation buttons were now placed under the scroll. The accessories that previously included with an iPod mini purchase were minimized down to the dock, with all other parts requiring additional purchase. Selling for $299, consumers could purchase the 20 GB model, while the 40 GB model was $399.
Fifth generation - adding visual stimulation to sound
October 12, 2005 - The fifth generation iPod, simply known as iPod Video, arrived with a robust 2.5″ screen with 320 x 240 resolution, as well as a slightly smaller click wheel. This iPod was the first to release color case alternatives, as it now offered the signature white along with black. The iPod Video played MP4 videos, and they could be purchased online in stores such as iTunes or Google Video. A 30 GB model sold for $299, while the 60 GB model sold for $399. There was a 30 GB, U2 special edition that sold for $349.
September 12, 2006. - An update was made that included a search feature, gapless playback, a brighter screen, and support of games. Users were now required to use iTunes and download from the Apple website. Upon initiation of this update, the 80 GB replaced the 60 GB, and all of their prices were reduced by $50.
Sixth generation - Perfecting personalization
September 5, 2007 - Adding the suffix “classic” and sporting a greatly improved battery life, the sixth generation was announced, called the iPod Classic. This iPod is made of anodized aluminum, and the white has been replaced with silver. New interface, cover flow, and more graphics are featured with the newest generation. The 80 GB holds 20,000 songs and sells for $249, while the 160 GB holds 40,000 songs and retails for $349.
The illustrious evolution of iPod generations will continue to change and advance. Reviewing its history, the iPod reflects a pattern of regular price fluctuations, continuously increasing storage space, and decreasing iPod sizes. With the monumental success of the iPod, it is certain that the future generations will continue to improve, as Apple strives for total market domination, superior quality, and total user satisfaction.
