subject: The Evolution of the iPod [print this page] Apple's iPod success as the leading MP3 player company was not due to being the first - but in hiring the right people to come up with a sexy slim look that made everybody want to own one of their own.
For those of you who recall, the first MP3 players were bulky and had a flash memory base. Companies such as Rio were some of the first to sell such a player. Then along came a man named Tony Fadell, a former employee of General Magic and Phillips. A visionary, he had a new idea for the MP3 player. He saw something smaller, something that would be hard drive based and that could link with a content delivery system that users could legally obtain and download music from.
Fadell first took his idea to Real Networks in 2000, a company that was in control of the largest content delivery system called Real Premium Radio and Television. Real executives couldn't see releasing an accessory to their already profitable system. They also couldn't see how Apple would later open iTunes Music Store and go on to outsell them. Of course iTunes didn't receive its success without Fadell and his idea. In 2001, Fadell was hired as an independent contractor by Apple. His first finished iPod used a 5 GB Toshiba hard drive that was the size of a quarter. It had ARM processors and an operating system from Pixo, a large high-resolution display, a lithium polymer battery and its iconic scroll-wheel device.
The first iPods, while revolutionary, were primarily sold as music players with only a handful of feature bonuses. The downside for the population (and a benefit to Apple) was that it only worked on Macs.
The original 2001 iPod, in its 5 GB model was selling for $399. By July of 2002, the 2nd Generation iPod was released, this time offering a touch-sensitive wheel and 10GB to 20GB of storage. This unit was Windows compatible and music could be downloaded through Musicmatch Jukebox. It also came with a wired remote and cost $499.
In 2003, the 3rd generation iPod received a complete redesign. Not only was it slimmer and had a dock connector but everything was touch sensitive. It too was compatible with Windows using a USB and came in a variety of capacities from 10 GB to 40 GB. This same year, the iTunes Music Store (iTMS) was announced and opened. Now, the iPod had a fully legal supply of content, and made it easier for Apple to cut the price of the iPod. While the year before it cost $499 to buy a 20GB, one could now get a 40GB for the same price.
In 2004 the First Generation iPod Mini was released. It came with a scratchproof aluminum exterior and in a number of colors. It sported a 4GB hard drive and the new click wheel and was priced at about $249.
July 19, 2004, the Fourth Generation iPod was released. It came in a 20 GB model for $299, 40 GB for $399. The iPod Photo came out in Oct. 2004 and it had a color display it came in sizes from 30GB to 60GB.
Seemingly taking a step backward when it came to bells and whistles, in 2005 Apple released the First Generation iPod Shufle. It looked like a USB dongle. It did not have a screen, had a small amount of memory and was made with a flash drive rather than a traditional hard drive. The Second Generation iPod Mini wasn't much different except that it came in brighter colors and with more storage.
In September of 2005 iPod also released its First Generation iPod Nano. It came in black or white, was smaller and thinner than the Mini and used flash memory. Just weeks after its release came the Fifth Generation Ipod. This iPod was capable of playing videos and with that came in 20, 60 and 80 GB models.
To follow was:
2006 - Second Generation iPod Nano
2006 - Second Generation iPod Shuffle
2007 - Third Generation iPod Nano
2007 - Sixth Generation iPod Classic
2007 - First Generation iPod Touch
2008 - Fourth Generation iPod Nano
2008 - Second Generation iPod Touch
2009 - Third Generation iPod Shuffle
With all the choices a consumer has, the iPod continues to be a popular MP3 player. What more does iPod hold for the future? One can only wait and see.
