iPod: A New Icon for the New Millennium
The iPod is arguably one of the most successful innovations ever released; it wasn't the first portable mp3 player, and certainly not the last. Nevertheless, Apple Computer's pocket-sized music players have probably had more impact on music enjoyment than any invention since the phonograph, nearly 130 years ago.
iPods, iPods, and More iPods
The first generation of iPods was introduced in October 2001. The second, third and fourth generations came out in July 2002, April 2003 and July 2004, with the iPod Photo and U2 Special Edition versions following in October. The deck-of-cards sized iPods employ a 1.8" hard drive with up to 60 GB of memory.
The slightly smaller iPod Mini debuted in January 2004. At 3.6 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches and weighing 3.6 ounces, the Mini featured a 1 inch hard drive with up to 6 GB of memory. It was an instant hit with more than 100,000 units ordered in the first month. Barely a year and a half later the Mini was replaced by the tinier iPod Nano.
The latest version, launched in October 2005, adds video to the mix. Trimmed down to 4.1" x 2.4" x 0.43" on the 30 GB model (60 GB version is 0.55" thick), the new iPod extends battery life to 20 hours per charge and boasts a 2.5" color TFT screen.
For more than three years all iPods had hard drives with enough memory for up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos, or 150 hours of video. All models featured iPod's innovative click-wheel, allowing simple one-thumb navigation of the controls.
Apple Jumps Into Flash
To garner its share of the budget priced market, Apple introduced their first flash player in January 2005 with the pack-of-gum sized iPod Shuffle. The Shuffle's 100% solid-state design completely eliminates skips. Neither the 512 MB nor 1 GB version had a screen or click-wheel, but they still sold like hotcakes. List prices start at $99, with discount prices from around $90.
But technology and innovation march on. Just eight months later the iPod Nano was released. The more powerful flash player comes in 2 GB and 4 GB versions. Smaller than a credit card and just over a quarter inch thick, the Nano adds photo capabilities and can play a four hour slideshow with music on its 1.5" color LCD. It also sports iPod's popular click-wheel controls.
The iPod Dynasty Explodes
By mid-2005 more than 15 million iPods had been sold, and year over year sales were up more than 600%. In April 2003 Apple opened its online iTunes Music Store. Even though downloaded songs can only be played on iPods, more than 500 million tunes were sold in the first two years. And now iTunes has added video feeds. If you missed your favorite TV show last night, you can download it today on the new video iPod.
An entire industry of iPod accessories adds to the mp3 phenomenon. Besides Apple, dozens of other companies offer an incredible array of player add-ons. Plug-in devices allow us to listen to music saved on our player through a home stereo, car radio, or even powerful portable speaker units. Just about anything imaginable is available, including designer carrying cases, high-tech headphones, Bluetooth wireless, multi-purpose docking stations and much more.
No End in Sight
iPod has been criticized for everything from being too pricey and having lousy battery life, to poor customer support and more. But in spite of its detractors, Apple completely dominates the portable music player market, even to the point of spawning a new term - the i-generation.
Worldwide MP3 player sales are expected to grow more than 21% annually with total sales reaching 950 million units by 2009. Given their market position, and with the iPod and iTunes lines accounting for nearly 40% of company revenues in 2005, Apple must be as happy as their customers appear to be.
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