As the world was introduced to the Apple Watch and a new generation of iPhones on Tuesday, Apple quietly removed the iPod Classic from its website. Here's a look back at the digital-music workhorse and other iPods through the years.
iPods through the years —
As the world was introduced to the Apple Watch and a new generation of iPhones on Tuesday, Apple quietly removed the iPod Classic from its website. Here's a look back at the digital-music workhorse and other iPods through the years.
Jonathan Zufi
Announced October 23, 2001, the original iPod came out roughly eight months after Apple introduced iTunes. It was originally compatible only with Mac computers, and sales wouldn't truly surge until 2004, after it had begun working with Windows as well. Apple boasted that it could hold up to 1,000 songs digitally.
Original iPod —
Announced October 23, 2001, the original iPod came out roughly eight months after Apple introduced iTunes. It was originally compatible only with Mac computers, and sales wouldn't truly surge until 2004, after it had begun working with Windows as well. Apple boasted that it could hold up to 1,000 songs digitally.
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Two years later came the iPod Mini, which, as its name suggests, was smaller than the original but at 4 GB could hold the same number of songs. It came in five colors and introduced the iPod "click wheel" that would last for years.
iPod Mini —
Two years later came the iPod Mini, which, as its name suggests, was smaller than the original but at 4 GB could hold the same number of songs. It came in five colors and introduced the iPod "click wheel" that would last for years.
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Later in 2004, Apple also offered the iPod Photo, which, in addition to adding multiple colors to the original iPod design, could hold 25,000 photos. It would later be reintegrated into the iPod line as advances in mobile tech made its novelty less ... novel.
iPod Photo —
Later in 2004, Apple also offered the iPod Photo, which, in addition to adding multiple colors to the original iPod design, could hold 25,000 photos. It would later be reintegrated into the iPod line as advances in mobile tech made its novelty less ... novel.
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Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPod Shuffle, which rolled out in 2005. Considered an "entry-level" iPod, it was small but gave up some storage space in return and less expensive than previous models. Designed for exercise and other uses on the go, it came with a lanyard, and accessories included an armband and waterproof case. The latest model comes with a clip and costs just $49.
iPod Shuffle —
Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPod Shuffle, which rolled out in 2005. Considered an "entry-level" iPod, it was small but gave up some storage space in return and less expensive than previous models. Designed for exercise and other uses on the go, it came with a lanyard, and accessories included an armband and waterproof case. The latest model comes with a clip and costs just $49.
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Apple's newest iPod nano features a 2.5-inch screen, comes in a variety of colors and is the thinnest iPod ever. The original came out in late 2005 and replaced the iPod Mini.
iPod nano —
Apple's newest iPod nano features a 2.5-inch screen, comes in a variety of colors and is the thinnest iPod ever. The original came out in late 2005 and replaced the iPod Mini.
Apple
The Touch was released in 2007, just months after the first iPhone, and you could already see Apple's two iconic products coming together. To this day, users jokingly call the Touch an iPhone without the phone.
iPod Touch —
The Touch was released in 2007, just months after the first iPhone, and you could already see Apple's two iconic products coming together. To this day, users jokingly call the Touch an iPhone without the phone.
There have been six generations of the iPod Classic. As the digital music players get smaller and more colorful, the Classic maintains the form of the original and can hold a whopping 160 GB worth of media: roughly 40,000 songs.
iPod Classic —
There have been six generations of the iPod Classic. As the digital music players get smaller and more colorful, the Classic maintains the form of the original and can hold a whopping 160 GB worth of media: roughly 40,000 songs.
Apple
Despite all the options, some users say they'll miss the Classic and its ability to house virtually their entire music collection.
iPhone family —
Despite all the options, some users say they'll miss the Classic and its ability to house virtually their entire music collection.
Courtesy Matthew Riegler/Wikimedia Commons