The History of the iPod

Introduction

The iPod was a series of portable media players sold by Apple from 2001 through 2022. Born from CEO Steve Jobs’s vision of “1,000 songs in your pocket,” it became so popular that at its peak it accounted for about 40% of Apple’s revenue. However, as smartphones and streaming services rose, demand shrank, and the final model was discontinued in 2022. Below, the background of its development, an overview by model, sales and cultural impact, and the path to discontinuation are summarized in chronological order.

Background of Development and the Original iPod (2001)

From Conception to Launch

• Development Period
  According to Tony Fadell, known as the father of the iPod, the project started at the idea stage in January 2001, received Jobs’s approval in March, and moved from design to manufacturing in just eight months before launching in October. 【Business Insider】

• Purpose of Development
  Planned as dedicated hardware as part of Apple’s “Digital Hub” strategy to integrate digital media around the Mac.

• Technical Characteristics
  Because flash memory at the time had small capacity and was expensive, the iPod adopted a 1.8‑inch hard disk and FireWire connectivity so large numbers of songs could be synced quickly. The Auto‑Sync feature allowed automatic synchronization with the iTunes music library.

Original iPod (1st Generation)

• March 2002 – First‑generation revision
  A 10 GB model was added, with prices ranging from $299 to $499. A model with Windows compatibility appeared for the first time.

Series Expansion and Model‑by‑Model History

iPod classic / iPod (1st–6th Generation)

iPod mini (2004–2005)

• Launch
  Announced on January 6, 2004 as the first spin‑off model in the series, with a 4 GB 1‑inch microdrive.

• Features
  Smaller than the iPod, with an aluminum enclosure and five colors including silver, gold, and pink.

• End of Production
  Discontinued on September 7, 2005 and succeeded by the flash memory–based iPod nano.

iPod shuffle (2005–2017)

• 1st Generation (January 2005)
  An ultracompact model with no display, equipped with 512 MB/1 GB of flash memory. Designed for shuffle playback and could be used like a “USB memory stick you can carry around.”

• 2nd Generation (September 2006)
  Redesigned into a small, clip‑on body. 1 GB model with a lower price.

• 3rd Generation (March 2009)
  Removed most buttons and adopted voice control via VoiceOver.

• 4th Generation (September 2010)
  Returned to physical buttons and offered multiple colors. Ultimately discontinued in July 2017.

iPod nano (2005–2017)

• 1st Generation (September 2005)
  An ultra‑thin model with flash memory, offered in 2 GB and 4 GB.

• 2nd Generation (September 2006)
  Switched to an aluminum enclosure; added 2 GB/4 GB/8 GB models.

• 3rd Generation (September 2007)
  Adopted a widescreen display and added video playback.

• 6th Generation (September 2010)
  Adopted a square, touch‑screen design; watch accessories appeared and the novel approach drew attention.

• 7th Generation (October 2012)
  The final model, with a 2.5‑inch multi‑touch display and Bluetooth support.

• Discontinued (July 2017)
  Apple announced the discontinuation of the iPod nano and iPod shuffle, leaving only the iPod touch.

iPod touch (2007–2019)

• 1st Generation (September 2007)
  Featured the same 3.5‑inch multi‑touch display as the iPhone and supported web browsing and games.

• 2nd–5th Generations (2008–2013)
  Improved processors and cameras, expanded color lineups. The 4th generation introduced FaceTime. The 5th generation (2012) featured a larger screen and six colors.

• 6th Generation (July 2015)
  Adopted the A8 processor and added a 128 GB model.

• 7th Generation (May 2019)
  The last new model, equipped with an A10 Fusion chip and a 256 GB option, supporting AR and Group FaceTime. Colors included blue, pink, silver, and more for a total of seven.

• Discontinued (May 10, 2022)
  Apple announced that the iPod touch would be sold while supplies lasted, closing the 21‑year history of the iPod series. 【Apple Newsroom】

Sales and Cultural Impact

Peak and Decline of Sales

• Peak in 2008
  In 2008, the iPod sold more than 54 million units and accounted for about 40% of Apple’s total revenue. This year marked the zenith of the iPod series, with people sporting white earbuds everywhere.

• Decline in Sales
  As smartphones spread, demand fell rapidly, dropping to around 14 million units annually by 2014. From 2015 onward, Apple stopped disclosing individual iPod unit sales, grouping them into the “Other Accessories” category in its revenue breakdown.

Impact on the Music Industry

• Launch of the iTunes Store
  In 2003, the iTunes Store began selling songs for 99 cents each, providing a legal distribution model to a music market rife with piracy.

• Podcast Culture
  The term “podcast” is derived from “iPod.” In 2005, Apple added podcast distribution features to iTunes, helping to popularize audio content.

• Innovation in User Experience
  The centrally placed Click Wheel was highly praised as a user interface that let users navigate vast libraries with one hand. White earbuds became a kind of status symbol, and the advertising campaigns were iconic.

How the iPod Transformed Apple’s Business

Thanks to the iPod’s success, Apple transformed from a hardware company into a “music and lifestyle brand.” In 2009, the iPod alone accounted for about 29% of revenue, supporting the company’s income structure. The 30‑pin Dock Connector for iPod fostered a third‑party accessory market, and many companies entered with speakers, in‑car peripherals, and more. The iPod also paved the way for the expansion of the iTunes Store and the App Store, putting the digital content business on track.

The End and Its Legacy (Late 2010s–2025)

• The Rise of Smartphones
  With the advent and evolution of the iPhone, smartphones with music playback and apps took over the role of portable music players. When it launched in 2007, the iPhone was described as “a smartphone with iPod functionality,” inheriting the iPod’s DNA while achieving far greater success.

• Gradual Discontinuation of Models
  The iPod classic ended production in 2014; the iPod nano and iPod shuffle followed in July 2017. The remaining iPod touch was announced as “available while supplies last” in a May 2022 news release.

• Status as of 2025
  Although the iPod brand has ceased production, enthusiast communities remain. In 2025, a Canadian YouTuber’s project modifying a 5th‑generation iPod with a USB‑C port, Bluetooth, a 256 GB SD card, and a long‑life battery was reported. 【Yanko Design】 Such mods show that the iPod’s legacy is still appreciated and that some users seek a distinct ecosystem.

• Inheritance of the Name
  The iPod name has disappeared from the product line, but remains as the etymology of “podcast,” and it influenced current product names such as EarPods and AirPods.

Conclusion

From its first model in 2001, the iPod fundamentally changed how we listen to music and the business model for digital content for more than 20 years. The concept of fitting 1,000 songs in a small body, the usability of the Click Wheel, and integration with the iTunes Store set the standard for portable music players. Sales peaked in 2008 and the iPod became a flagship product for Apple, but as smartphones spread and streaming services grew, demand fell sharply; the iPod classic disappeared in 2014, the nano and shuffle in 2017, and the iPod touch ended sales in 2022.

Nevertheless, the iPod’s legacy remains. The iTunes Store laid the foundation for music distribution, podcast culture grew, and the symbolism of white earbuds and the Click Wheel continues to influence today’s digital devices and services. The popularity of enthusiast mods and a lively second‑hand market show that the iPod is not just a product of the past, but, even in 2025, a special device for many people.

References / Sources

• 20 Fascinating Facts About the Apple iPod
• iPod - Wikipedia
• Apple's iPod Was Created in Just One Year, According to the 'Father of the iPod' - Business Insider
• RIP iPod 2001-2022: The complete history | Macworld
• iPod classic - Wikipedia
• iPod mini - Wikipedia
• The music lives on - Apple
• The iPod Just Got Resurrected with USB-C, Bluetooth, FLAC Support, and No iTunes Lock-in - Yanko Design