The Apple iPod: A Look At The Musical Revolution's History
Steve Jobs called the iPod a ‘breakthrough digital device’. While launching the iPod Jobs said, “Music is a part of everyone’s life, and because it’s a part of everyone’s life, it’s a very large target market all around the world. It knows no boundaries.”
The iPod essentially changed the way we consumed music while on the go. Although MP3s already existed in the market before, the iPod wasn't just a static device, it was technologically more advanced and it had the ability to adapt and improve.
When the first iPod was launched it seemed ahead of its time, solving most of the prevalent problems with mobile music. It incorporated sophisticated technology and was at top of its game. It was still criticized and pulled into controversies by many.
Nobody could have imagined the manner and scale at which the iPod evolved. The most recent iPod wasn't just a source of music, it enabled you to click photos, videos, facetime and also download apps.
The progression of the iPod made it evident that the device is actually a breakthrough device. However, today the iPod has become redundant and its legacy is fading.
Let's take a look back at the evolution of the iPod over almost two decades.
The Story:
Apple has always come up with products to solve pre-existing problems in technology, especially during the Steve Jobs era. The first iPod was imagined with a view of solving issues like piracy in music and difficulty in accessing it.
With the launch of iTunes, music became a black hole of options. Another major problem was the inconvenient size of a CD player. With the iPod, Apple reimagined what portable and light actually means and resolved this issue as well.
Steve Jobs literally threw one of the early iPod prototypes in an aquarium to prove to the engineers that they could further shrink it.
Making the First iPod:
The first iPod was developed in less than a year but a lot of effort and research went into it. Tony Fadell, a former executive at Phillips, was trying to create a software that would (legally) sell music and integrate with an MP3 player.
He pitched the service to companies but after repeated rejections, Fadell was surprised to find Apple was very interested in his concept.
The Big Launch:
The first Apple iPod was launched on October 23, 2001. It had 5GB storage and could play 1000 songs which was much more than what any MP3 player offered.
The name “iPod” came from a freelance copywriter, Vinnie Chieco. As soon as he saw the pure white device, Chieco thought of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and the immortal line: “Open the pod bay doors, Hal.”
The iPod Family:
Apple definitely enjoys playing with shapes and features. Over two decades Apple has come up with 5 models of iPods each of which have multiple generations with different specifications. Although many models aren't available today, each model seemed to satisfy the needs of its time.
The iPod Classic, Mini and Nano were the first three iPods that were launched. They were then developed into multi-touch displays which had storage of up to 16 GB. The iPod shuffle was a transition between these three models and the model that came after. It saved space and also gave you a stylish look. This iPod also became a pop culture phenomenon and many celebrities were seen using them.
The last line of iPods included full touch screen displays and memory up to 256 GB. It was almost like owning a phone, not an iPod. That can be one of the reasons why eventually the craze for iPods faded because the newer models didn't serve any essential purpose that iPhones couldn't.
The Apple Effect:
The iterations in iPod models include plenty of different variables. Some models had/lacked screens, touch controls, the click wheel, cameras, etc. Through its new models, Apple was making small adjustments and reverting the previous models.
At some point, it had several lineups available for people to choose from. So you could basically choose the iPod of your exact requirement. That's how by catering to various needs and upping themselves, the iPod started to gain a lot of popularity.
Special Models:
Apart from the classic models, Apple also launched a special limited range of iPods to grab extra attention. Bono and The Edge from U2 collaborated with them on a 20GB branded U2 Special Edition iPod ($349).
It was a black model with a red wheel, monochrome screen and the band’s signatures laser-etched on the back. Apple also launched limited-edition iPods with the signatures of Madonna, Tony Hawk, Beck or No Doubt laser-engraved on the back.
These were the most expensive iPods of their time. They also came up with an Apple iPod+HP line of iPods distributed through HP which was eventually discontinued.
Apple's Genius Advertising:
Apple’s iconic silhouette ad for the iPod was from where the iPod wave truly started. Its colorful backgrounds, dark silhouettes dancing, upbeat music, and the contrast of the bright white iPod made music look fun and ageless.
Although Apple did mostly target a younger crowd for the iPod, by using silhouettes and masking the age of the person, they allowed people of all age groups to relate and see themselves in the advertisement, grooving to the music.
The End of an Era:
The iPod went from an absolute must-have device to basically pointless in two short decades. The iPod is in many ways responsible for the ways we tend to consume music now, and the boom of purchasing digital media.
Apple has officially discontinued the last line of touch screen iPods which were available until recently. There is more than just one way of explaining why this happened but it was definitely the end of a prosperous time in technology and music.
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