Generations to come
iPod quote: “The iPod completely changed the way people approach music”, said Karl Lagerfeld, German fashion designer
The complete story of the iPod
Here is the complete story of the iPod until September 2007. More to come!
First Generation
Our iPod adventure begins in October 2001, as Apple launched its first portable music player.
The first incarnation of the device that was to revolutionise the music industry had a mechanical scroll wheel and launched with 5GB and 10GB capacities, starting at a shade under £300.
Second generation
The second-gen iPod waved sayonara to the clunky mechanical scroll wheel and introduced the touch-sensitive version still in use today, albeit in a different form. Released in July 2002, the new model built on the success of the first incarnation, and came in capacities up to 20GB for £399, with the 5GB model at £259 and 10GB for £329.
Third generation
With the third-gen iPod, Apple did away with the buttons that surrounded the touch-sensitive wheel, instead setting backlit controls horizontally under the LCD screen.
This edition launched in April 2003 and was the first model to use Apple’s 30-pin dock connector. Ten gigabyte, 15GB and 30GB models were available, costing £249, £299 and £399 respectively.
The iPod Mini
The next child in Apple’s musical creche wasn’t a new version of the existing iPod, but an entirely new model: the iPod mini. The mini launched in January 2004, with 4GB of micro-drive memory for £199.
The iPod mini came in five snazzy colours and brought with it the first use of the Click Wheel. This iconic and ground-breaking navigation system became ubiquitous within the iPod line until the iPhone was released in 2007, which uses purely gesture-based touch-sensitive control methods.
Fourth generation
Mere months later, in July 2004, Apple launched the fourth-gen iPod. Like the mini, the new iPod boasted the Click Wheel — one of Apple’s best interface innovations to date.
The fourth-gen model came in 20GB and 40GB capacities, costing £219 and £299 respectively. This model was seen as something of a blow to the iPod mini, as its price — just £20 more than its younger brother — represented much better value for money in terms of storage. Its significantly larger size attracted a different crowd, however, and so both models existed harmoniously.
The iPod Photo
Later that year, the iPod Photo was launched. The date was September 2004 and this was the first model to feature a full-colour screen. As the name suggested, the iPod Photo was geared up to store and display your photo albums.
This added extra came at one hell of a price (well, two prices): £359 for the 40GB model; £429 for the 60GB. The iPod had pushed into the same price range as small second-hand cars. But hey, you could look at photos of those cars while riding the Tube.
The 20GB U2-branded red and black iPod was also unveiled that month, costing £249. It was a re-skinned monochrome-screen fourth-gen iPod.
The iPod shuffle
January 2004 had been the birth of the iPod mini. January 2005, just one year later, gave birth to a healthy new offspring: the first iPod Shuffle.
The Shuffle was something of a curiosity: it had no screen, no Click Wheel and no dock connector. However, at just £69 for 512MB, the Shuffle instantly stole the hearts of joggers and young teens everywhere.
A 1GB model was also launched at a price of £99. Some nay-sayers emitted loud nays at the Shuffle’s launch, but over two years later, the Shuffle, albeit in a new design, still reigns from its pretty little throne.
The iPod Mini
Just one month after the Shuffle’s launch, Apple unveiled the next-gen iPod mini in February 2005.
The new minis had something of a makeover — colour offerings were much brighter, and the coloured lettering on the Click Wheel now matched that of the iPod’s body.
Battery life was also significantly improved (the original mini’s battery life was often criticised). A 6GB model was offered for £169, while the original 4GB capacity sold for £139 — a far more reasonable price than the previous version.
The iPod Nano
When September 2005 arrived, the iPod mini drew the noose around its neck, took one final bow to its patrons and stepped to its death. It was, of course, the iPod nano that cut down the limp body, and it was vastly superior to its predecessor.
The iPod nano launched in black and white colours and 2GB and 4GB capacities, costing £139 and £179 respectively. Gone were the mini’s micro-drives; replacing them was the holdier-than-thou flash memory. Although the nano was generally well received, its easily scratched screen not only caused a consumer outcry, but also sparked a class-action lawsuit against Apple. Apple subsequently shipped protective cases with future models.
Fifth generation
In October 2005, Apple unveiled its next full-sized iPod — a model whose form factor has not changed in two full years.
The fifth-gen iPod was the first model to play video and was very well received. It had a larger, sharper colour screen, slimmer form factor and better battery life.
A 30GB video iPod would set you back £219, while a 60GB version would cost you £299. An 80GB version was later released and included, among other things, a library-search feature, and was accompanied by fifth-gen iPod price cuts across the board.
The second generation iPod Nano
It was over a year before Apple took the mask off its next iPod. In September 2006, the second-gen nano was launched.
The new nano had a trendy anodised aluminium casing and came in five colours. Two gigabyte, 4GB and 8GB models were available at £99, £129 and £169 respectively.
The second generation iPod Shuffle
The hysteric jubilation for the new iPod nano notwithstanding, Apple undid its trench coat again in September 2006 and flashed the world with another titchy member: the second-gen iPod Shuffle.
Shuffle 2.0 came in the form of a clip. Some argue the new model had a clip; others claim it was a clip. The other 99.98 per cent of civilisation simply yelled, “STFU already!”
The new Shuffle came only in a 1GB version for a touch over £50. Also present was the nano-esque anodised aluminium casing and the choice of several colours.
The third generation iPod Nano
Now, in September 2007, we have a plethora of new iPods to choose from. The iPod touch is the ‘true’ video iPod the world’s been sweatily dreaming about. Its partner in crime, the iPod classic, is a revamped, tripped-out fifth-gen iPod with more go-faster stripes than we care to count.
There’s also the third-gen nano with “a little video for everyone”, not to mention a fat form factor to make the chunkiest of us feel slightly better about ourselves.
Finally, the new shuffle… well, it’s got new colours. (And a small ‘s’ to match its lower-case siblings, spelling fans.)