Seasonal & Holidays
National iPod Day: The Evolution From MP3 To iPhone (PHOTOS)
Today marks National iPod Day, so we've rounded up a photo timeline of how the revolutionary device evolved from MP3 player to iPhone!
National iPod Day 2018 is officially upon us. Since its debut almost two decades ago, the iPod has changed the way we listen to music. The late Steve Jobs first announced the curious device in 2001 at the cusp of a digital age when companies like Napster encouraged people to share music.
Since then, the world has been introduced to various iterations of the iPod, a transformational mp3 player that will always occupy a warm place in the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
To celebrate National iPod Day, we've rounded out a timeline of milestones for the revolutionary music device. From the Apple Nano to the iPod shuffle and iPod Mini, here's a look back at the history of the iPod:
Year: 2001
October 23
Apple announces the first ever iPod as a "breakthrough MP3 music player that packs up to 1,000 CD-quality songs."
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, pictured above days after announcing the first iPod in 2001, promises that his new device will forever change the way we listen to music.
Officially released in Apple retail stores on Saturday, November 10, the first generation iPod could only hold 5GB, but weighed in at a whopping $399 (US).
Year: 2002
July 17
Apple announces the second-generation of iPod during the New York Macworld Expo, slashing the price of the 5GB model down to $299. In addition, the company unveiled a "10GB model that is 10 percent thinner for just $399 (US); and a new 20GB model that can hold 4,000 songs for just $499 (US)."
While unveiling the second wave of iPods, Steve Jobs also reveals that the new device will now be compatible with Windows as well.
September 3
Apple reveals that starting on September 15, 2001, iPods will be sold at all Best Buy retail locations.
October 30
Apple reveals that the popular device will be available at all Target stores during the week.
November 25
Apple opens its 50th retail store, only a little more than a year after announcing the first iPod.
Year: 2003
April 28
Apple unveils three new devices that make up the third-generation of iPod, starting at $299 (US) for a 10GB model, $399 (US) for a 15GB model and $499 (US) for a 30GB model, capable of holding up to 7,500 songs.
The third-generation models also introduced the “no moving parts” navigation wheel as well as newly designed buttons with "enhanced sensitivity" for users to have more precision over the device's functionality as well as the ability to customize the main menu.
“The competition hasn’t even caught up with our first generation iPod, and we’re introducing our third generation," Steve Jobs exclaimed in the April 28, 2003 press release. Along with the new devices, Jobs introduced the iTunes Music Store, enticing consumers with the prospect of being able to sync new readily available music.
Above is a screenshot that shows the interface for iTunes first music store back in 2003.
October 16
The iTunes Music Store becomes available for Windows users.
December 23
Apple Music Store downloads top 25 millions songs.
Year: 2004
January 6
iPod minis are introduced in silver, gold, pink, blue and green colors along with the third-generation touch-sensitive wheel.
July 12
Apple Music Store downloads top 100 millions songs, with Jobs reportedly calling the buyer to offer his personal congratulations.
July 19
Fourth-generation iPods are released with a click-wheel and 12-hour battery life.
October 26
Apple unveils iPod Photo along with the memorable color-block ads featuring the Bono-led music group U2.
“Having both your entire photo and music collections with you wherever you go is the next big thing,” boasts Jobs upon the release of the new feature.
Apple's U2 collaboration spawned limited quantities of the iPod in all-black with a red click-wheel (below), sending consumers into a buying frenzy.
Steve Jobs and U2 are seen at the October 26 press conference as they celebrate the release of the special edition iPod.
Late November
Remember these?
Just in time for the 2004 holidays, Swarovski released its line of Crystal Mini cases. The handcrafted cases sported some 1,000 Swarovski crystals and were an instant-hit at a cool $1,000 each.
Year: 2005
January 11
Apple unveils its first iPod for under $100 — the iPod Shuffle.
February 23
New 4GB iPod minis become available at a "breakthrough price point" of just $199 US, as well as 6GB model for $249 US.
September 7
October 12
Apple releases the fifth generation of the iPod with a sweet 2.5-inch color screen that held 60GB for $399 (US).
Year: 2006
February 7
Apple introduces a new 1GB iPod Nano for $149 (US) and slashes the iPod Shuffle price to $69 (US).
September 12
Apple unveils an overhaul of all iPod products, including a Nano with 24-hour battery power, an even smaller Shuffle and all new iPod with state-of-the-art video capabilities.
October 13
Project Red is announced, revealing an all new iPod Nano in red with a goal to raise money to help combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
Year: 2007
September 5
Apple unleashes the new iPod Classic, holding up 40,000 songs.
Steve Jobs holds up the new iPhone that was introduced at Macworld on Jan. 9, 2007 in San Francisco, CA. The new iPhone combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls and an internet communications device with the ability to use email, surf the web and navigate to a destination with maps.
June 29
The first iPhone begins to ship out in the United States, essentially eliminating any need for an additional device. In no time, the iPod MP3 player is essentially obsolete and nothing more than a relic of the past.
Year: 2017
November 3
Apple released the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus alongside a much pricier iPhone X, with the latter being the eleventh-generation of the phone.
Year: 2018
September 12
The iPhone X Plus is announced.
Sourced from Apple's newsroom archives; Lead image Stewart Cook/REX/Shutterstock, insets by Apple
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