Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod
`BY DENNIS LLOYD ● SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2004
`
`2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | What’s Changed | iPod Sales | Global iPod Availability | iPod
`Trivia
`As the pace and importance of iPod announcements have accelerated in recent days, iLounge has taken
`this opportunity to assemble an “instant expert” guide to the history of Apple’s popular device. For an
`updated version of this article, please Download the iLounge 2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide.
`Key Milestones in the Life of the iPod
`2001
`January 9, 2001 Apple introduces iTunes for the Macintosh, a program that converts audio CDs into compressed digital audio files,
`organizes digital music collections, and plays Internet radio.
`October 23, 2001 Apple unexpectedly announces the
`first iPod (codename Dulcimer) at a price of $399.
`Unlike most (but not all) competing digital audio
`players available at the time, Apple relies on a hard
`disk for storage instead of flash memory or
`interchangeable CD-ROMs, and uniquely focuses on
`promoting the small size, power, and ease of use of
`its device. The first iPod has a 5 GB storage capacity
`- enough for over 1,000 songs - and works only on
`
`Macs, using iTunes as a music organization and CD-
`to-iPod conversion tool. Did Apple release iTunes with
`the iPod in mind? According to an official Apple
`timeline, development of the iPod began only six
`months earlier. November 10, 2001 Apple ships the
`first iPod. Mid-November, 2001 Third-party
`developers begin to write workaround software that
`lets the iPod work with PCs. While first demo versions
`of the software are available in January of 2002, final
`versions won’t emerge until June of 2002. December
`31, 2001 By the end of 2001, Apple has sold a total
`of 125,000 iPods.
`
`2002
`March 20, 2002 Apple announces a 10GB / 2,000 song update to the iPod for $499. Taking a cue from crafty third-party developers,
`Apple ships new iPods with the ability to display business card-like contact information, a feature that makes some wonder about future
`PDA-like expansion of the iPod’s abilities. As of this date, the iPod is still a Mac-only product, though workaround programs for PCs are
`circulating and largely functional.
`July 17, 2002 Apple makes four major announcements. First, PC versions of the iPods are unveiled, including MusicMatch software
`instead of iTunes. Second, a 20GB iPod is introduced. Third, 10GB and 20GB models now sport a new touch-sensitive Scroll Wheel
`instead of an actual moving wheel, which was easier to damage. And finally, iPod prices are lowered: 5GB drops to $299, 10GB
`drops to $399, and the 20GB model sits at $499. However, all iPods at this point still require users to have computers with FireWire
`connectivity ports, which are faster than competing USB ports but far less common on PCs.
`
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
`
`6/6/14 3:08 PM
`
`October, 2002 By this point, retailers Best Buy, Dell,
`and Target have all started to sell iPods. Sensing the appeal of high-capacity music players, Creative releases the Nomad Zen Jukebox
`as a cheaper but larger competitor to the iPod. December, 2002 Apple unveils its first and only limited edition iPods, with either
`Madonna’s, Tony Hawk’s, or Beck’s signature engraved on the back for an additional $49. (Another iPod featured the engraved logo of
`rock band No Doubt.) At a total price of $548, these limited edition iPods were the most expensive ever sold by Apple.
`2003
`March, 2003 Microsoft announces Media2Go portable video and audio players, originally targeted for a holiday 2003 release. The
`players will eventually be renamed Windows Portable Media Centers, deemed Microsoft’s “iPod killer,” and delayed until late 2004. April,
`2003 Dell, which has been offering aggressive discounts on the iPod, temporarily stops selling the device after failing to renew its reseller
`agreement with Apple, but then renews.
`April 28, 2003 Big news: Apple unveils the updated “third-generation” iPod and the iTunes Music Store for Mac users. The new
`iPods are thinner and smaller than before, feature a bottom Dock Connector port rather than a top-mounted FireWire port, and have
`entirely touch sensitive controls. Each new iPod has a higher capacity than the previous generation model it replaces by price point:
`new 10GB / 2,000 song ($299), 15GB / 3,700 song ($399) and 30GB / 7,500 song ($499) models are available. All third-generation
`iPods now work on either Macs or PCs. Apple’s iTunes Music Store launches with 99 cent per track / $9.99 per album pricing and a
`library of 200,000 songs, but isn’t yet available for PC users.
`
`May 1-4, 2003 Retailers begin to sell third-generation
`iPods, and one week after launching the Mac iTunes Music Store, Apple has sold 1,000,000 songs. June 19, 2003 Taking advantage of
`the iPods’ proprietary (and FireWire/USB agnostic) Dock Connector port, Apple releases Dock Connector-to-USB 2.0 cables and drivers
`for third-generation iPods, expanding the range of PCs that can connect to the devices. June 23, 2003 Apple sells the one millionth iPod,
`more than a year and a half after the release of the device. September 8, 2003 Apple refreshes the middle and top of the third-
`generation iPod line with higher storage capacities at familiar pricing. A 20GB / 5,000 song ($399) model replaces the 15GB version, and
`a 40GB / 10,000 song ($499) model replaces the 30GB version introduced in April. Apple also announces that it has sold 10,000,000
`songs through the iTunes Music Store since launch. October 16, 2003 Apple releases both iTunes and the iTunes Music Store for U.S.-
`based PC users, phasing out support for MusicMatch PC software in the process. Belkin and Apple jointly announce voice recording and
`digital photo storage peripherals for the iPod, further and more tangibly expanding the unit’s capabilities past music playback. Apple also
`announces total sales of 13,000,000 songs via iTunes since launch.
`
`October 27, 2003 Running a month behind its
`expected launch date, Dell announces the Digital Jukebox (DJ) as a cheaper competitor to the iPod, and partners with MusicMatch to
`offer a music downloading service. (By December, Dell will announce that it has permanently stopped reselling iPods to focus on the
`DJ.) November, 2003 Complaints about iPod battery problems reach a fever pitch as the ‘iPod’s Dirty Little Secret’ video spreads across
`the Internet. Apple subsequently publicizes a cheaper battery replacement alternative for existing users.
`2004
`
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
`
`6/6/14 3:08 PM
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`January 6, 2004 Apple debuts the iPod mini, a diminutive 4GB version of the iPod available in five colors at $249. Despite an
`impressive simplifying redesign of the iPod’s control scheme and casing, critical opinion of the device is initially mixed because of
`price and capacity concerns. Apple simultaneously replaces the $299 10GB entry-level iPod with a 15GB model, and retailers almost
`immediately discount the discontinued 10GB model to $249, further clouding the value equation.
`
`Safari Power Saver
`Click to Start Flash Plug-in
`
`
`
`January 6, 2004 Apple announces the sale of the two
`millionth iPod, less than six months after hitting the one million mark. January 8, 2004 In an entirely unexpected move, personal
`computer heavyweight Hewlett-Packard announces at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show that it will license the iPod from Apple
`rather than develop a competing product. HP CEO Carly Fiorina promises to release and sell a “HP blue”-colored iPod by Summer, and
`agrees to market iTunes to its PC customers almost immediately. February 17-20, 2004 Apple ships its first iPod minis starting on
`Tuesday, and long lines form at stores for its official Friday on-sale date. Sell-outs and near-sell-outs are reported nationwide, and critical
`opinion quickly turns in the device’s favor. March 25, 2004 Apple pushes back the international release of the iPod mini from April to
`July, citing “much stronger than expected demand” from U.S. customers. Analysts report shortages of the miniature hard drives required
`by Apple. May 5, 2004 Apple announces the sale of the three millionth iPod, only four months after hitting the two million mark. Analysts
`widely acknowledge the iPod as the digital audio market’s dominant hardware format, and begin to de-emphasize references to cheaper
`competitors. June 15, 2004 Apple releases the iTunes Music Store in three European markets: France, Germany, and the United
`Kingdom. One week later, 800,000 songs have been sold to European customers, 450,000 in the UK alone. July 11-12, 2004 The
`iTunes Music Store sells its 100,000,000th downloaded song at approximately 1:25AM Eastern Standard Time, July 12 (or 10:25PM
`Pacific Standard Time, July 11), the first legal music download service to hit that milestone. Thanks to an Apple contest offering a 17”
`PowerBook laptop computer, 40GB iPod and iTunes gift certificate for 10,000 songs (total estimated value: $13,200) to the person who
`purchased the 100,000,000th song, approximately 40,000 songs (total estimated value: $39,600) were sold in just the ten minutes before
`the milestone was reached. July 17, 2004 Leaked by Newsweek magazine two days before Apple’s expected official announcement, the
`first photograph of the fourth-generation iPod appears on the Internet, depicting a hybrid of the third-generation iPod’s white casing with
`the Click Wheel controls from the iPod mini. July 19-20, 2004 Offically announced by Apple on July 19, the fourth-generation iPod is
`physically thinner than the third-generation iPod but remains larger than the iPod mini, boasts improved battery life (12 hours), iPod mini-
`style Click Wheel controls, and small software tweaks such as a main menu randomized (shuffle) playback feature. Called lower-cost
`iPods, prices for the new low-end (20GB, $299) and mid-range (40GB, $399) units look like $100 drops from prior models until
`consumers discover that $100 worth of pack-ins (Docks, remote controls, and cases) have been stripped from their packages. The
`fourth-generation iPods also lack some widely rumored features, including a 60GB version and a color screen to display digital
`photographs. Buzz remains significant and first units begin to appear by the 20th. July 21, 2004 Apple adds three top European
`independent labels to the iTMS catalog, placating the few remaining critics of iTunes. July 24, 2004 Apple releases the iPod mini
`worldwide, behind schedule but still early enough to excite people around the world. Sell-outs are reported in several countries, including
`Japan. July 26, 2004 Motorola announces that its next generation of cellular phones will be iTunes-compatible. In response to Apple’s
`earlier public rebuffing, RealNetworks releases a music technology called Harmony, enabling songs sold by Real through its own music
`store to be played back on iPods (and other devices) without Apple’s permission. August 5, 2004 Apple announces total sales of 3.7
`million iPods. August 10, 2004 The iTunes Music Store library hits 1,000,000 songs. August 25, 2004 Apple quietly begins to search for
`wireless and video experts to join its iPod division. August 27, 2004 Hewlett-Packard announces the “Apple iPod from HP�? (or
`“iPod+hp�?), a repackaged version of the 4G iPod with new manuals and HP-supplied technical support. Promising availability by
`September 15, HP begins to ship units almost immediately, and announces an iPod-compatible printer and “printable tattoos�? to cover
`iPods. August 31, 2004 Apple announces that it has 58% market share of the U.S. digital music player business, and plans a pan-
`European iTMS for October. September 1, 2004 iTMS hits 125 million downloaded songs. Apple releases the iMac G5, which is now
`being marketed as a computer “from the creators of iPod.�? September 7 - October 4, 2004 Microsoft’s unofficial anti-iPod public
`relations offensive starts. Chairman Bill Gates says in an interview that the iPod would have been easy for Microsoft to make. Next, while
`Internet-based viruses plague Windows PCs, Microsoft announces that the next Windows version will prevent iPods from unleashing
`viruses on PCs, though no such iPod attack has been reported. Finally, CEO Steve Ballmer publicly calls iPod users music thieves,
`claiming that Microsoft offers better copy protection. He later apologizes. October 12-14, 2004 Analysts report that iPod sales are 82%
`of all digital music players and 92% of all hard-drive based players; nearest hard drive competitor Creative has 3.7%. Over 2,000,000
`iPods were shipped in the prior 3 months alone, and iTMS downloads hit 150,000,000, a rate of 4 million downloads per week. October
`26, 2004 Apple debuts the iPod photo, a new version of the fourth-generation iPod that’s capable of displaying digital photographs and
`album art on its built-in color screen. Sold in 40GB ($499) and 60GB ($599) capacities, the iPod photo is physically identical to the
`fourth-generation iPod, only slightly thicker, and includes most of the pack-ins (Dock and case) that disappeared from iPod boxes in July.
`It also includes a “photo Dock” and AV cable for displaying digital photos on a television, as well as an evolved, colorized interface for
`using the iPod’s music playback features. On the same day, and following considerable Apple co-promotion of a U2 song called Vertigo,
`Apple introduces the U2 iPod Special Edition ($349), a 20GB fourth-generation iPod with a shiny black front casing, red Click Wheel, and
`U2-engraved rear metal casing. The U2 iPod includes a $50 coupon towards the purchase of a $149 Apple-innovated “digital box set”
`called The Complete U2, but not a copy of U2’s latest album as was widely rumored before the product’s launch. Apple notes sales of
`nearly 6 million iPods to date.
`How Have iPods Changed?
`
`Obvious differences in size, thickness, and materials aside, the iPod has gone through a number of
`changes since its debut in 2001. While the first-generation (1G) and second-generation (2G) iPods featured
`a FireWire data port up top next to the headphone port and hold switch, this data port was removed from
`the top of third-generation (3G) iPods, fourth-generation (4G) iPods, iPod minis and iPod photos in favor of
`a bottom-mounted Dock Connector port.
`
`Placement of the four Menu/Play/Forward/Reverse buttons also changed; the original collection of four
`curved buttons surrounded the 1G and 2G iPods’ Scroll Wheels, but were transformed into circular buttons
`above the Scroll Wheel for the 3G iPod, and then integrated into the Click Wheel of the iPod mini, 4G iPod,
`and iPod photo, beginning with the iPod mini.
`
`Finally, the wheel mechanism itself has changed: while the 1G iPod used a wheel that physically moved,
`each subsequent iPod has used a touch-sensitive circle that emulates the movement of a wheel - a subtle,
`
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
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`yet unquestionably superior design.
`
`6/6/14 3:08 PM
`
`iPod Boxes and Pack-ins
`Though the prices and capacities of iPods are their most often touted differences, each generation of iPods
`has featured different pack-ins that can add extra value for the dollar. On the hardware side, Apple’s
`decision to include remote controls, carrying cases, and eventually Docks with premium-priced iPods
`initially offset those higher prices, though changes to the iPod line-up in mid-2004 muddied this equation
`somewhat. On the software side, the replacement of PC-ready MusicMatch with the Windows version of
`iTunes makes newer iPods even easier to enjoy.
`
` (left to right, boxes for the 1G iPod, 2G iPod, 3G iPod,
`
`and iPod Mini) Original (1G) iPod Included headphones, FireWire cable, iTunes software, AC adapter. Second-Generation (2G)
`iPod5GB Mac Version Same as above. PC Version included 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter, MusicMatch software instead of iTunes.
`10GB/20GB Versions Same as above plus iPod Remote control and iPod Carrying Case. PC versions included 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire
`adapter, MusicMatch software instead of iTunes. Third-Generation (3G) iPod10GB ($299) Version Slightly new headphones, AC
`adapter, Dock Connector to FireWire cable, 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter, iTunes software for Mac and MusicMatch software for PC*.
`Initial 15GB ($399)/30GB ($499) Versions Same as above plus Dock, new Remote control, and new Carrying Case. * Refreshed 15GB
`/ 20GB / 40GB iPods include iTunes for both Mac and PC users, refreshed 15GB ($299, M9460LL/A) iPod does not include Dock,
`Remote control or Carrying Case. iPod mini Headphones, plastic Belt Clip, AC adapter, Dock Connector to FireWire cable, Dock
`Connector to USB cable, iTunes software for Mac and PC users. Fourth-Generation (4G) iPod Headphones, AC adapter, Dock
`Connector to FireWire cable, Dock Connector to USB cable, iTunes software for Mac and PC users. 40GB iPod includes a Dock, but
`neither iPod includes a Remote or Carrying Case, or the older FireWire adapter. iPod photo Headphones, AC adapter, Dock Connector
`to FireWire cable, Dock Connector to USB cable, iPod photo Dock, AV cable, Carrying Case, iTunes software for Mac and PC users,
`Apple stickers. iPod U2 Special Edition Headphones, AC adapter, Dock Connector to FireWire cable, Dock Connector to USB cable,
`iTunes software for Mac and PC users, $50 Coupon for The Complete U2 digital box set.
`Historical Growth of iPod and iTunes Sales
`iPod Sales iPod sales were good but not fantastic until around the May 2003 release of the third-generation iPod, which marked a
`turning point in the sales history of the device. Prior to that release, Apple’s sales were directed initially towards a relatively small
`audience of Macintosh users, and even when a PC version of the iPod was released, its FireWire-only design limited its appeal to
`mainstream PC users.
`
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
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`6/6/14 3:08 PM
`
` It took over a
`year and a half for Apple to hit the one million mark for iPods sold, but then the third-generation iPod was unveiled in Tokyo. Only six
`months later, the company had sold its second million iPods. Four months later, aided by the release of the iPod mini, they’d sold
`another million units of iPod hardware. By late October, aided by the release of the fourth-generation iPod, Apple was up to almost 6
`million total units, and an additional 2-4 million units were predicted to be sold by the end of 2004. Importantly, Apple’s sales milestones
`were achieved despite the continued introduction of cheaper alternatives by Creative, Dell, and iRiver, amongst others. None of these
`companies’ products appears to have significantly impacted the iPod’s sales growth or undermined its perception as king of the digital
`
`music hill.
`iTunes Music Store Sales Though the history of the iTunes Music Store dates back only a year, there have been two important positive
`changes in its sales trends. The first was in October of 2003, starting with the release of the PC version of the Music Store. In December
`2003, following a flurry of holiday season iPod purchases and media mentions, the second upward tilt began, dramatically accelerating
`the pace of iTunes Music sales. Apple hit the 100 million song mark in July, 2004, ahead of some expectations (but later than initial
`Apple predictions), and 150 million by October, 2004, a dramatically increased pace.
`Which Countries Have the iPod, iPod mini, and iTunes Music Store?
`iPod Available worldwide from Apple, Apple authorized retailers, and unauthorized retailers. iPod mini Nearly worldwide. As of July,
`2004, Apple released the product into almost every geographic region of the world. While several countries have not received the
`product officially, supplies may be available from importers. iTunes Music Store The service was first available (2003) within the United
`States, then expanded in June 2004 to the United Kingdom, France and Germany, and then on October 26, 2004 added Austria,
`Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. On December 1, 2004, Canada was added to the
`list. Negotiations for Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries remain underway.
`iPod Trivia
`Q: What’s the most expensive official iPod Apple has ever sold to consumers?A: Prior to the release of the iPod photo, the answer
`was limited edition iPods laser-engraved with the buyer’s choice of four alternatives: the signatures of musicians Beck or Madonna, the
`logo of band No Doubt, or the signature of pro skateboarder Tony Hawk. Asking price: $49 over the retail price of each iPod, or $548 for
`the then top-priced 20 GB iPod. The new premium iPod is the 60GB iPod photo, sold for $599.
`
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
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`6/6/14 3:08 PM
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`Q: Has the iPod ever sparked a legal controversy
`outside of the United States?A: Yes, at least three times. The iPod was briefly taken off the market in France in September 2002 when
`French authorities notified Apple that the device violated a law limiting the sound output of portable devices to 100 decibels. Apple
`quickly updated the iPod’s software to remedy the problem, and subsequently implemented a volume cap on all iPods shipped to
`Europe, much to the consternation of users in other countries. In December 2003, the iPod became a lightning rod for controversy after
`Canadian authorities imposed an additional governmental levy (charge) of CDN$25 per player to compensate artists whose copyrights
`were being infringed. The $25 charge was substantially lower than earlier proposals of $21 per GB, which would have equaled a $315-
`$840 additional charge per 15-40 GB iPod - more in some cases than the cost of the iPod itself. Finally, Apple Computer has been sued
`in the United Kingdom by Apple Corps, holder of The Beatles rights, allegedly for violating an earlier trademark-related agreement
`whereby Apple Computer agreed not to enter the music business. Q: What’s the most unusual iPod ever sold on eBay?A: A German
`seller auctioned an iPod that had been 24-karat gold-plated after purchase. Additionally, eBay sellers have auctioned off “pink” iPod
`minis that Apple accidentally delivered in a shade closer to magenta. Q: Is it true that Oprah spent almost $140,000 on iPods and
`gave them away?A: In Spring 2003, Oprah named the iPod one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” as part of her series of product giveaway
`shows, and gave 15GB ($399) iPods to each member of her 350-person studio audience. If you’re worried that billionaire Oprah had to
`drop nearly $140,000 of her own cash for the iPods, don’t be: Apple donated them, and Oprah didn’t even know how to use one when it
`was featured on the show. (When you’re a billionaire, you can afford to hire someone else to program your playlists.) Q: What are the
`biggest iPod-related giveaways to date?A: The biggest iPod and iTunes giveaways to date have been offered by Pepsi, which offered
`a two-month “100 million free songs” giveaway (where only 5 million songs were actually given away), and an Australia-only “Win an
`iPod every hour” campaign with 1,018 15GB iPods available to be won. Q: What musicians have been associated with the iPod?A:
`Too many to count. After releasing the 10GB iPod, Apple briefly introduced a series of iPod boxes featuring the images of famous
`musicians: Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis were featured on 10GB iPod boxes, while Bob Marley and Billie Holiday appeared on 5GB iPod
`boxes. The company has also included the previously mentioned musicians Beck, Madonna and No Doubt in a limited edition engraved
`iPod campaign, and has included performers such as Alicia Keys in product and service unveilings. Most notably, U2 released a special
`edition black version of the iPod in partnership with Apple in November, 2004 (announced in late October, 2004). The company plans
`
`partnerships with other musicians in the near future.
`Q: Do the British really love the iPod more than Americans?A: It’s possible. Two early 2004 news stories suggested that British
`judges, law enforcement officials, and criminals are taking more than a passive interest in Apple’s music players. In February, the
`Beatles versus Apple case (Apple Corps versus Apple Computer) came before a High Court judge in London, who wondered aloud
`whether he would need to be disqualified from the bench because he was an iPod owner. In March, England’s second largest police
`force, the West Midlands Police, warned iPod users to hide their iPods and stop wearing Apple’s packed-in white headphones because
`of muggings by iPod-hungry street thieves. In both cases, representatives of Apple Computer publicly expressed delight at the iPod’s
`growing popularity. Q: Can the iPod run anything other than Apple’s own operating system?A: Yes, but not that well. Apple has
`intentionally prevented outside developers from experimenting with or changing the device’s operating system. In an effort to expand the
`iPod’s support for music formats other than MP3, AAC, WAV and unprotected WMA, several hackers have used reverse engineering to
`make the iPod run a stripped down version of Linux, which features limited functionality and as yet no ability to properly play back audio
`in other formats. Their most visible achievement has been getting the iPod’s title screen to display the face of Tux the Linux penguin. Q:
`How much media exposure has the iPod received since launch?A: An incredible amount. The iPod has been prominently featured
`in music videos, television shows, and massive product giveaways, say nothing of thousands of newspaper and magazine articles, and a
`number of books. Apple’s partnership with the rock band U2 increased both the band’s and the iPod’s profile almost exponentially
`around the world. Q: How have PC hardware and software competitors responded to Apple’s success with the iPod?A: The
`responses have been surprisingly mixed, and not entirely negative. Though Creative Labs, Dell, and iRiver have continued to develop
`and sell competing devices, industry heavyweight Hewlett-Packard in January 2004 halted development of an iPod alternative and opted
`to license and resell Apple’s product itself. In March 2004, the CEO of RealNetworks (developer of RealAudio and RealVideo standards)
`made an awkward public plea that Apple introduce iPod support for Real’s standards and competing Music Store, combined with a threat
`to join Microsoft if Apple didn’t act. Apple declined. Real responded in late July by releasing Harmony, software technology to permit
`songs sold by Real to play on the iPod. Apple threatened to block Harmony songs from playing on iPods, and accomplished the feat in
`mid-November, 2004. Q: What’s Apple’s iPod track record with automobile manufacturers?A: To date, Apple has publicly
`partnered with two European car manufacturers to cross-promote iPods and vehicles. In July of 2003, Volkswagen announced a “Pods
`Unite” campaign for the 2003 New Beetle, whereby New Beetle purchasers received a custom-engraved (VW logo) iPod and a “VW
`Connectivity Kit” with free music, an Audible audio book, a coupon, a window sticker, a “VW Music-zine” and what later became known
`as Belkin’s TuneDok cupholder iPod mount. In June of 2004, BMW announced the “iPod Your BMW” campaign, whereby owners of
`select BMW vehicles can add a $149 iPod control and power charging system called the BMW iPod Adapter to their cars. Apple
`promises further vehicle-related announcements in the near future.
`
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`« Analysis: When Apple Waits, Competitors Strike
`
`Beginner’s Guide to iPod, Part V: Photos, eBooks, Creating Content & Troubleshooting »
`
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`http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-a-brief-history-of-ipod/#2004
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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
`
`6/6/14 3:08 PM
`
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`Comments
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`WOW!! great story!!
`
`Posted by Yarin on June 26, 2004 at 11:53 AM (PDT)
`
`not a whole lot to say other than cool and interesting.
`
`Posted by stefan on June 26, 2004 at 11:58 AM (PDT)
`
`Nice!
`
`Posted by josh on June 26, 2004 at 12:16 PM (PDT)
`
`WOW a great insight into the history of this fabulos gadget.
`
`Posted by -i2i- on June 26, 2004 at 12:16 PM (PDT)
`
`Cool History Article of one of the best MP3 Portable to date.
`
`Posted by Oliver on June 26, 2004 at 1:23 PM (PDT)
`
`Pretty good story but too baised, should of pointed some of the downfalls too.
`
`Posted by michael on June 26, 2004 at 1:30 PM (PDT)
`
`Makes me love mine even more! Great story!
`
`Posted by Eric on June 26, 2004 at 2:44 PM (PDT)
`
`Great article, very informative and much needed. Excellent job.
`
`Audrey
`iPodlounge Mod
`
`Posted by honeybee1236 on June 26, 2004 at 3:22 PM (PDT)
`
`really nice story
`
`Posted by esra in PA on June 26, 2004 at 3:49 PM (PDT)
`
`10
`
`great article guys. keep up the good work!
`
`Posted by Phillip on June 26, 2004 at 4:11 PM (PDT)
`
`http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-a-brief-history-of-ipod/#2004
`
`Page 7 of 22
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`

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`Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod | iLounge Article
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`11
`
`Great article, just one error:
`
`6/6/14 3:08 PM
`
`September 8, 2003
`Apple refreshes the third-generation iPod line with higher storage capacities at familiar pricing.
`The 15GB / 3,700 song ($299) iPod becomes the company’s cheapest, with 20GB / 5,000 song
`($399) and 40GB / 10,000 song ($499) versions replacing the smaller units introduced in April.
`Apple also announces that it has sold 10,000,000 songs through the iTunes Music Store since
`launch.
`
`Apple didn’t update the 10GB model to 15GB until Steve made his keynote speech at the 2004
`conference. Only the 15/30 were upgraded to 20/40 GB models respectively.
`
`Posted by DarkJC on June 26, 2004 at 4:52 PM (PDT)
`
`they should make an ipod with a rumble pack—u kno, like in the xbox controllers. it would be
`totally useless, waste battery, but come on people, IT WOULD RUMBLE WEN LOW BASS
`COMES ON! lol
`
`Posted by laxman2211 in us on June 26, 2004 at 7:19 PM (PDT)
`
`LAXMAN!!! THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! LOL!!!!!! NIIIIICCCEEE!!! :cool:
`
`Posted by Chris on June 26, 2004 at 8:01 PM (PDT)
`
`that was an AWESOME article. i was just wondering when the 1G and 2G ipods came out and
`how they changed through the generations. the number of ipods sold the past 3 years is
`amazing!
`
`Posted by Vicky on June 26, 2004 at 10:05 PM (PDT)
`
`Nicely written article, with heaps of interesting facts.
`
`That Pepsi competetion in Australia is pretty annoying though; I’ve sent in about 40 labels in the
`last three weeks, with 18 being sent at 2am in the morning. Nothing. Then a schoolmate wins an
`iPod on his twelvth label. Bastard.
`
`Posted by Elithrar in Perth, Australia on June 26, 2004 at 10:34 PM (PDT)
`
`tru elithrar, but da best time i herd is like 7am sunday mornings - ur gonna hav 2 wate till next
`week tho
`
`how many weeks left til it finishes?
`
`Posted by Snowy in Australia on June 26, 2004 at 10:57 PM (PDT)
`
`DarkJC: You’re entirely correct, and we’ve fixed the error. Thanks for reminding us - ironically
`we were quite worked up back then because 10GB models started to sell for $249 (sometimes
`less), the same price as the announced-but-as-yet-unreleased 4GB mini. Amazing how even
`recent memories can fade. Thanks again, and thanks to everyone else for your comments.
`
`Posted by Jere