a stroll down ipod memory lane…

by Chiyin on Oct 25th, 2008 @ 5:09 pm

There are countless articles and blog posts about the iPod and its evolution… But that still doesn’t make it any less impressive… It’s just incredible how it has evolved over such a short period, from a physical scroll wheel to a multitouch screen… Obviously, Apple did not invent all the technology that went into the changes over the years… But it is fair to say that the iPod is a testament of Apple’s strive to utilize such technology to bring innovation and push the industry forward… So now lets take a walk down memory lane…

iPod 1st Generation / 2nd Generation

Introduced in October of 2001. The first model of the iPod featured a physical scroll wheel with buttons along the edges of the wheel. The 2nd generation was introduced just a few months later, in July of 2002. This model kept the same layout and design but introduced something that will become synonymous with the iPod, the touch wheel.

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iPod 3rd Generation

This version came in April of 2003 and brought with it 2 major changes that helped the iPod establish itself as the de facto music player in the market. First and probably the most noticiable change was the control layout, the buttons along the edges were moved to individual buttons under the screen. The other was the introduction of the dock connector with USB support. These modifications made using and connecting the device a lot easier, but probably the most influencial factor with this generation wasn’t with the iPod itself. With the arrival of the 3rd generation Apple also introduced iTunes 4.1 for Windows.

iPod mini 1st Generation

The first miniaturization of the iPod came in January of 2004 when Apple introduced the iPod mini. This wasn’t just a smaller version of the iPod, it also was the first one to sport the now beloved click wheel, which moved all the buttons into the center of the device making it even easier to use.

iPod 4th Generation / iPod Photo / iPod with Color Display

Six month after the mini hit the market Apple released the first full size version with the click wheel in July of 2004. And then in October, a mere 3 months later, came the iPod Photo with a color screen. In subsequent versions, the name iPod Photo was changed to iPod with color display.

iPod Shuffle 1st Generation

To make things even smaller, and probably cheaper to appeal to a wider audience, the iPod Shuffle was introduced in January 2005. This was the first version of the device without a screen and was also the first to use flash memory instead of a hard drive.

iPod mini 2nd Generation

The second generation of this iPod came out in February 2005 and didn’t change much. The most noticeable difference was the color of the text on the click wheel. But that didn’t stop it from being the most successful iPod to date.

iPod nano 1st Generation

In September 2005 Apple introduced the nano. It was the first flash memory based iPod with a screen. This iPod had a slick design but it suffered major criticism because people kept sitting on them bending the iPod in half. Why Apple, why make it so small that people forget they had it in their pockets? The nano would eventually take over the mini as the most successful iPod line.

iPod 5th Generation

Just a month after the nano, in October 2005, the full size iPod received the black and white treatment. Not only that, it also had a bigger brighter display and was the first to have video playback. This was also the longest version of the iPod that went without a refresh, instead of the annual change, it took Apple 2 years to replace this generation.

iPod nano 2nd Generation

Just like clockwork, in September 2006, exactly a year after the introduction of the nano came the second generation. With this, Apple went back and took cues from the mini era and put the nano in aluminum casing and multiple bright colors. Maybe they changed it so people couldn’t sit and bend them in half?

iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation

2006 was a slow year. Only 2 items were refreshed. The nano and the Shuffle. The second coming of the smallest iPod saw a major form factor change. It went from plastic to aluminum, from long and skinny to a small rectangle with a built in clip. This new shape and clip made it the perfect for clamping it onto your clothes as an accessory or for working out, which is a more practical application. Hahaha.

iPod nano 3rd Generation

Another year, another nano. September 2007, the “fat” iPod nano was revealed. This version saw a big change in the shape of the casing. It was shorter and wider, making it look fat. But it had a bigger screen and was the first nano to have video playback.

iPod Classic – 6th Generation

In September 2007 came the 6th and current generation of the iPod, now dubbed “Classic”. A major difference in this version is the all aluminum casing, a direct reflection of Apple’s current design trend. This could probably be the last version of the beloved full size iPod.

iPod Touch 1st Generation / 2nd Generation

Just 3 month after the arrival of the iPhone the iPod Touch was introduced. This new model is essentially the iPhone sans the phone. A logical step for Apple, offer people the option of getting a device with multitouch screen, music and video playback, internet connectivity for a lower price and without an at&t contract. The 2nd generation came exactly a year later and again just a few months after the the introduction of the iPhone 3G. As with the first generation it mimicked the functionalities of the new iPhone, again without the phone. Also with the iPhone 3G came the 2.0 firmware update. Now the iPod Touch has the capability to download apps from the App Store. Interestingly the new iPod Touch comes loaded with a newer version of the firmware 2.1.1, probably something specific for the new device.

iPod nano 4th Generation

This new iteration returns to the slim form factor with a longer screen. Also, now the nano has an accelerometer similar to the Touch and iPhone. A fun application of this is the shake to shuffle feature, to change a song in shuffle mode simply shake the iPod and it will go to the next track. Something they could include in the next iPhone update.

Special Editions

There are a few special editions iPods. The most popular being the U2 red and black version, it was a 4th generation with a black front with red accent and laser engraved signatures of the band member on the back. Another one is the (PRODUCT)RED nano, it first appeared in the second generation nano and it’s still available sporting the campaign’s red color and having proceeds donated to the cause. Finally, and perhaps the most obscured, there was a Harry Potter special edition, it was an iPod with color display with the Hogwarts crest engraved in the back.

Going through the different lines and models of iPods it’s hard to believe that it’s only been 7 years since Steve Jobs revealed the device that could hold someone’s entire music library. It’s just incredible how technology has evolved in this short period of time. From 5 GB storage back then to 120 GB today, the 5th gen came with as much as 120 GB. From a monochrome screen to a full color display capable of playing movies. From the physical scroll wheel to the touch sensitive click wheel and now the multitouch display. The iPod has certainly come a long way.

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