Apple iPod

Apple iPod receives the Editor’s Summary run down on this page featuring a complete history of the groundbreaking and stylish music player. The Editor also offers an overview of review centre reviews and industry opinions of the multi million selling MP3 player.

Overview

The Apple iPod was launched in 2001 with the slogan 'Say Hello to iPod' and since then millions of people have done just that, indeed, millions have got to know it very well. This product has revolutionised the MP3 market.

Although previously other companies released hard drive based music players none had the look or appeal of Apple's. Successive iPods have seen interfaces develop with larger capacity hard drives and extra features plus slimmer and sleeker. And the popularity of iPod shows no signs of abating. Total iPod sales are expected to sell over ten million in the recent quarter of this year alone.

Apple has now sold more than 28 million iPods since it was launched only four years ago.

Opinions

The main complaint from customers initially throughout the industry, as seen in many reviews here, was poor battery quality and running times being less than the manufacturers stated times according to many, although later models offered up to 20 hours.

Many people here have experienced malfunctions and it is worth noting that the iPod needs to be handled with care as it can be damaged.

It is also worth reading reviews of other brands as many of our readers prefer alternatives on the market.
However, for many Apple is a brand which encourages huge loyalty, and as portable music systems go, many people believe this one to be the forerunner of the most stylish and popular product we have seen.

iPod History

2001

• In a situation akin to Decca failing to sign the Beatles rumour has it that Phillips passed on the iPod product when iPod creator, Tony Fadell, offered it up to them first. However, Apple recognised iPod's potential immediately and snapped it up.
• The iPod's Unique Selling Points - it could slip into a shirt pocket and operate for ten hours on a charged battery. It was a small, personal product with a simple and intuitive interface, capable of storing 4,000 songs.
• Initial prices were not exactly cheap and there were extra disappointments - it was not PC compatible, there was no remote control, no games. But by the end of 2001 Apple had sold 125,000 new iPods and the craze had begun.

2002

• Major updates were soon released and in March 2002, a 10 GB version was out.
• New 20 GB versions had PC compatibility. Other features included ear bud remote control and touch sensitive scroll wheel.
• Special edition iPods began featuring celebrity text or graphics engraved on the back, including Madonna's signature, leading to the recent U2 version launched last year.
• Sales accelerated and in 2002 iPod sold 700,000 units.
• Third generation iPods were launched, even smaller and different button layouts. The new versions were 10, 15 and 30 GB - allowing customers to carry 7500 songs in their pocket. High speed connectivity and new PC interface and dock connector were included.
• The major development, though, was iTunes Music Store, allowing users to download tracks and burn them to CD, play them with iTunes or sync them to MP3 players.

2003

• In June 2003 Apple shipped its millionth iPod and by September it had sold 1.4 million.
• Apple replaced MusicMatch PC with iTunes software allowing Windows PC users to use iTunes Music Store and sync songs to iPod.
• Apple remained number one seller in the market with a 50 - 70 per cent share and released its 40 GB iPod.

2004

• The much slimmer iPod Mini was launched in 2004 and became the best seller of the iPod range. By 2004 iPods were selling in their millions.
• The U2 special edition was also launched in 2004 and has just been discontinued so watch out for these as they are likely to be collectors' items.
• The Apple iPod Shuffle was the first big tinkering with the basic iPod formula. The Shuffle was the company%u2019s first flash-based MP3 player offering a simple strategy random play feature.

2005

• Apple Computer has reported sales figures for the previous quarter of this year of Mac computers at around 800,000 units. However, sales of Apples iPod music player were more than two million in the past three months.
• As this article is written 22,000 iPods are being sold every day and over 15 iPods fly off the shelves every minute.
• This year Apple also launched the tiny Nano, its thinner than a pencil and roughly the size of a business card successor to the Apple iPod Mini.
• The Nano replaces the Mini line.

Future

Apple has also unveiled its super thin fifth Generation iPod which now plays music, photos and video.

Its 2.5-inch colour screen displays album artwork, photos, play videos, video Podcasts, home movies and TV shows with support for up to 150 hours of video.

The newer iPod holds up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos or over 150 hours of video and is available in a 30GB and 60GB in white or black. The Apple Click Wheel offers access to the entire music, photo and video library. Videos are also to be available from the iTunes store.

With regards to iPod products, it's probably best to assume: "You aint seen nothing yet".