20 Fascinating Facts About the Apple iPod
- The iPod was almost a Philips gadget—but in the end, Apple snagged the idea for themselves.
- Before music streaming, Apple's white earbuds were the must-have look.
- Ever hear of "Dulcimer"? That was iPod’s secret code name. Read on for more fascinating facts about the Apple iPod.
The Apple iPod was more than just a tech device—it was a cultural moment. When it launched in 2001, the iPod wasn’t just another MP3 player; it promised “1,000 songs in your pocket,” capturing the imagination of millions and establishing Apple as a leader in consumer electronics. For years, iPods dominated music on the go, from the original Classic to the colorful Nano and Shuffle, all the way to the final iPod Touch. In 2022, Apple discontinued the iPod line, with the iPhone long since taking its place in our pockets. But the iPod’s legacy remains, and its story is packed with fascinating twists and surprising stats.
Photo via AppleExplained // Every iPod Apple ever made: A brief history of Apple's lineup of iPods, peaking in popularity in 2008.
1. 2008: The Peak of iPod Popularity
At the height of the iPod’s fame in 2008, Apple sold over 54 million units in one year alone, making up nearly 40% of the company’s revenue. But by 2014, sales had plummeted to just over 14 million as iPhones became the go-to device for music and more.
2. The iPod Wasn't Actually Apple's Idea
The iPod’s mastermind, Tony Fadell, originally pitched the concept of a portable music player to companies like RealNetworks and Philips, who both turned him down. Lucky for Apple, they took a chance on Fadell, who later described how "sometimes the best ideas come after a few rejections."
3. The Secret Code Name: P-68 Dulcimer
During its development, the iPod was known internally as the “P-68 Dulcimer,” a project so secretive that even many Apple employees didn’t know about it. This code name reflected the company’s tradition of discretion with high-stakes products.
4. Revenue Game-Changer
The Apple iPod wasn’t just a revolutionary device; it reshaped Apple’s entire business model. By 2009, nearly 29% of Apple’s revenue came from iPod sales, though this percentage steadily dropped until Apple stopped reporting iPod-specific sales in 2015, folding it into their “Wearables, Home, and Accessories” category.
Photo via Apple Inc. // The iPod nano, one of the most popular iPods ever made.
5. The Origin of “Podcasting”
Contrary to popular belief, the term “podcasting” actually comes from the iPod, not the other way around. The iPod’s rise coincided with the early days of podcasts, and Apple’s addition of podcasts to iTunes in 2005 made it the primary way to access audio content on the go.
6. Jobs’ Vision: 1,000 Songs in Your Pocket
Steve Jobs’ vision for the iPod was simple but powerful: a pocket-sized device that could hold 1,000 songs. The original iPod delivered, offering 5GB of storage and an impressive 10 hours of battery life, setting a high bar for portable music.
7. The Influence of Toshiba’s 1.8-Inch Hard Drive
Apple’s head of hardware engineering, Jon Rubinstein, helped secure the iPod’s compact size by discovering Toshiba’s 1.8-inch hard drive. This innovative drive allowed the iPod to store a substantial music library in a sleek design, redefining portable music.
8. The Click Wheel Icon
The iPod’s scroll wheel was more than a functional design choice; it became a signature feature. Instead of hiding on the side like other devices’ scroll wheels, Apple centered it, allowing users to navigate through hundreds of songs with ease.
Photo via Brussels Times // Another image showing the incredible evolution of Apple's iPod line, including iPod Classic, iPod nano, iPod mini and more.
9. The White Earbuds Phenomenon
The included white earbuds became instantly recognizable and a fashion statement of the 2000s. They weren’t just practical—they were iconic, making the iPod stand out even when tucked into a pocket.
10. iTunes Store Changed Music Forever
When Apple launched the iTunes Store in 2003, it revolutionized digital music. At $0.99 per song and $9.99 per album, Apple’s approach catered to music lovers who wanted legal downloads without paying for an entire CD.
11. FireWire vs. USB: A Mac-Only Experience at First
Early iPod models were Mac-only, with songs transferred via FireWire. When Apple expanded compatibility to Windows in 2002, many PC users needed to purchase FireWire cards since USB was too slow to support the device.
12. The Short-Lived iPod Mini
Launched in 2004, the iPod Mini quickly became a hit with its smaller design, but Apple discontinued it in favor of the flash-based iPod Nano the following year, anticipating a future without hard drives in portable devices.
13. The iPod Photo
The 2004 iPod Photo brought color screens and photo display features. Priced at $499 for 40GB, it was the first iPod to offer something beyond music, setting the stage for multimedia devices.
14. The Video Era
In 2005, Apple added video capabilities to the iPod. The iPod “with video” sold over 14 million units in its first quarter, highlighting its appeal to those looking to carry TV episodes and movies on the go.
15. The Revolutionary iPod Nano and Shuffle
In 2005, Apple released the tiny iPod Nano and the clip-on iPod Shuffle, with the Nano offering color and storage in an ultra-slim format and the Shuffle catering to budget-conscious music lovers with its clip-on design and lack of a display.
16. Dock Connector: A New Era of Accessories
The third-generation iPod introduced the 30-pin dock connector, a precursor to the now-ubiquitous Lightning connector. The dock created a whole ecosystem of iPod accessories, from speakers to car adapters.
17. Games and Click Wheel Fun
By 2006, Apple added games to the iTunes Store, allowing users to play simple games on their iPods using the click wheel. This marked the beginning of Apple’s exploration into gaming on its devices.
Photo via GQ Australia // The iPod Click Wheel is still referenced today as an example of excellent user-focused hardware design.
18. The iPod Classic Bows Out
The iPod Classic, last updated in 2007, was officially discontinued in 2014, with Apple citing a lack of available parts and demand. It marked the end of an era, leaving the iPod Touch as the last remaining model.
Photo via AppleExplained // The iPod Classic, one of Apple's most fondly loved music players, was discontinued in 2014.
19. The iPod Touch’s iPhone-Like Transformation
Apple introduced the iPod Touch in 2007, which essentially functioned as an iPhone without cellular capabilities. It became popular with users who wanted the “iPhone experience” without a contract, especially for gaming and Wi-Fi browsing.
20. 2019: The Final iPod Model
The seventh-generation iPod Touch, released in 2019, was the last new iPod model before Apple retired the line in 2022. It served as a nostalgic nod to the iPod’s glory days while underscoring the device’s evolution from a music player to a multimedia tool.
The iPod's Legacy: Apple's Path to Dominance
The iPod was Apple’s first major hit beyond computers, creating a blueprint for the iPhone’s success. The seamless integration of hardware, software, and digital content became Apple’s signature approach, fueling a transformation that made it a household name. The iPod’s impact reaches beyond music—its design principles and user-friendly approach are echoed in every Apple product today. As iPhones took over, the iPod quietly faded away, but for those who experienced its magic firsthand, it remains a cherished chapter in Apple’s story. In many ways, the iPod was the beginning of Apple’s journey to the top, shaping a generation’s relationship with technology and media.
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