iPod PP5020 2004

The Apple iPod mini, the company's smallest MP3 player at its introduction, featured a 4 GB hard drive within a compact 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5 inch anodized aluminum case. It was available in silver, gold, pink, blue, and green, and had a 1.67-inch (diagonal) grayscale LCD with an LED backlight. Apple stated it could hold approximately 1,000 songs in "128-Kbps AAC format."

Most notably, the iPod mini introduced the revolutionary "ClickWheel" for navigation, which integrated pressure-sensitive buttons beneath the scroll wheel. The device included a voice recorder feature, games, an alarm clock, a wired remote, and a "dock" for easy connection to a computer (Firewire for Macs, USB 2.0 for Windows) and to a stereo or powered speakers.

Battery life was estimated at eight hours of music playback, and it provided 25 minutes of skip protection.

The original iPod mini was a resounding success, largely due to its brilliant fusion of size, style, and functionality. Its most groundbreaking feature was the introduction of the Click Wheel, which ingeniously integrated the navigation buttons into the scroll wheel itself, a design that would become iconic. [13] This innovation was universally praised for making navigation effortless. The compact, anodized aluminum body, available in a range of vibrant colors, transformed the iPod from a tech gadget into a true fashion accessory. [37] While its 4GB capacity was smaller than the full-sized iPod, it was still ample for most users at the time. The main criticisms were directed at its shorter battery life compared to its larger sibling and its relatively high price for the capacity. [37, 42] Despite this, its portability, robust build, and revolutionary interface made it immensely popular and set the stage for future iPod designs. [13]