The primary-generation iPod got here out on November 10, 2001, making at the moment the twenty fourth anniversary of the system’s launch. Apple introduced it in late October, however November 10 was the primary day prospects had been in a position to get their fingers on it.
Even method again in 2001, there have been leaks and pretend leaks earlier than the iPod launched. In a single rumor article, Apple’s upcoming system was dubbed the “iWalk” and described as a PDA with a high-color TFT-screen with handwriting recognition, which didn’t show to be true. CNET prompt that it was too subtle to be an MP3 participant, and was as a substitute a part for a house digital stereo system, whereas a German web site mentioned it was “like a standalone CD-writer” that appears like “a Hifi part.” The positioning did precisely predict that it might make it attainable to “have all of the music in the home saved on one place,” however described it as a type of AirPlay-enabled speaker.
Extra dependable rumors precisely pegged it as a digital music system in a position to sync with a pc, and within the days main as much as the launch, the iPod identify leaked. Even with the information that got here out, a lot of the iPod’s introduction was a shock as a result of 2001 leaks had been a lot much less detailed than 2025 leaks.
Some MacRumors readers lined as much as purchase one on launch day, kicking off a convention of lengthy strains at Apple Shops that continued effectively into the iPhone launch days. As with every Apple product launch, there have been some blended reactions to the iPod, and naturally a slew of early complaints. This is what the boards needed to say:
There have been loads of MacRumors readers thrilled with the iPod, and as we effectively know, it was a wildly fashionable system that spurred a number of subsequent fashions and ultimately led to the launch of the iPhone.
It was spectacular to have the ability to have a 5GB FireWire drive in your pocket on the time, and iPod homeowners used it as a tough drive for file transfers. MP3 gamers existed, however nothing with the storage capability and design of the iPod.
With the iPhone that does every little thing an iPod does, there is not any longer a necessity for the iPod. The final iPod was the iPod contact, which Apple up to date sporadically after which did not contact after 2019. It was formally discontinued in 2022, marking the top of the iPod line. Apple virtually by no means pronounces when a product has been discontinued, however the iPod was an exception given its historical past.
In an announcement, Apple’s advertising chief Greg Joswiak mentioned that the “Spirit of the iPod lives on” throughout all the firm’s merchandise, from the iPhone to Apple Watch to HomePod.
The iPod will have fun its twenty fifth anniversary subsequent yr. Apple has revived previous merchandise prior to now, however individuals have little use for a music-only system in 2025. Apple is, nevertheless, engaged on a house hub that may play music, run apps, and management good house merchandise, and it is described as a small, sq. system with a show. It is attainable Apple might reference the iPod when unveiling the system, and even borrow part of its identify prefer it did when naming the HomePod.