iPod: Tiny MP3 Player Launches an Empire
One of the most successful innovations ever released, iPod wasn't the first
portable mp3 player, and won't be the last. Nevertheless the little music players have had more impact than any product since Apple's founding in 1976.
iPods Galore
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 Photo and U2 Special Edition versions following in October. The scaled
down iPod Mini debuted in January 2004.
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 30GB model (60GB 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. Full sized models
(about the size of a deck of cards) employed a 1.8" disk, with a 1" drive
in the Mini. Memory capacities range from 2GB to 60GB, enough for up to 15,000 songs,
25,000 photos, or 150 hours of video.
Flash Emerges
Apple entered the flash player realm in January 2005 with the debut of the pack-of-gum
sized iPod Shuffle. The Shuffle's 100% solid-state design completely eliminates
skips, and is available in 512MB and 1GB versions. To garner a share of the
price sensitive market, the 512MB Shuffle lists at $99. Discount merchant prices
start around $90.
But technology and innovation march on. Just eight months later the iPod Nano
was released. The more powerful flash player comes in 2BG and 4GB 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.
Apple's Music Player Dynasty Continues
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.
Now accounting for nearly 40% of revenues, Apple must be as happy with the
iPod line as their customers are.
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