Happy 24th Anniversary, iPod

[edubfromktown]

My BiL worked at the US PTO (in the computer patents area!) when iPods came out.

He thought they would never be successful and bought his kids crappy little mp3 players

 

[Quicksilver867]

My 5th gen is somewhere in the depths of the basement, CF card modded and extended battery installed. Might have to see if it'll fire up!

 

[CarAnalogy]

Just bring back the iPod app so I can watch my purchased TV shows and movies and music without being absolutely assaulted with ads for Apple Music and Apple TV.

 

[RMo]

iBook G3 was not like a current MBA, it was one rank below it.

If anything, that reinforces my point (though reading your post made me realize I forgot a qualification that this was the second-gen "Snow" model, not the original G3-iMac-colored ones). But it was the closest comparison I could make since, like now, Apple only had two tiers, the iBook and PowerBook like the MBA and MBP.

Maybe if that A19 MacBook comes into play...

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

For perspective, the only real competitor the iPod had as far as storage in an MP3 player when it was released was the Creative Nomad Jukebox, which was the size of an ugly Diskman and extremely thick. The iPod was unthinkably small for when it was released. View attachment 2578166

I had a Nomad Jukebox Zen around 2003-ish. It looked like this, which was basically a chunkier iPod with a replaceable battery.

 

[MattA]

my first iPod (and Apple product actually) was an iPod. A 5th gen 30GB model. Used that thing a lot. Probably still have it in a drawer somewhere, and would love to restore it, but not sure at this point it would be worth to try and source a new casing, display and battery.

The iPod is actually one of the most repairable products that Apple ever sold. There are all sorts of aftermarket cases, batteries, storage solutions, etc available for your 5th gen iPod. It wouldn't cost much to refurbish it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The iPod is actually one of the most repairable products that Apple ever sold. There are all sorts of aftermarket cases, batteries, storage solutions, etc available for your 5th gen iPod. It wouldn't cost much to refurbish it.

I was about to say, iPods are a great example of so many things that modern Apple products are not.

 

[jonnysods]

I remember when my friend got an iPod with video, I couldn't believe it, then we got to use a G4 iMac to edit a video project for someone using FCP, and I knew I had to get a Mac.

 

[Radeon85]

Sea

As much as I loved the iPod back in the day, I am glad I have my music on my phone and I don’t have to lug around another device anymore.

Same, the moment the iPhone finally came with 128GB I was able to ditch the iPod Classic.

I honestly wouldn't mind Apple releasing just a music device again, something between an iPod Nano and iPod Classic. Now that we have pretty high capacity flash chips and cheap OLED screens it would be nice to see just a music device again. Obviously there would be Bluetooth, but wifi would be nice as well for Apple music streaming if you want to.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Sea

Same, the moment the iPhone finally came with 128GB I was able to ditch the iPod Classic.

I honestly wouldn't mind Apple releasing just a music device again, something between an iPod Nano and iPod Classic. Now that we have pretty high capacity flash chips and cheap OLED screens it would be nice to see just a music device again. Obviously there would be Bluetooth, but wifi would be nice as well for Apple music streaming if you want to.

It could also be positioned, at least in part, as appealing to parents wanting to get something for kids that isn't a smartphone.

I'd even advocate for "iPod Apps" that perhaps are similar to Watch apps and they could have Messaging on there, which would be appealing to kids.

 

[MasterControlProgram]

I'm still using my 7th gen iPod Classic. It's had a new large capacity battery, the clicker has been replaced with a Taptic engine and the storage is now 1TB (via MicroSD cards) and it's still going strong.

 

[Happy_John]

iPods were great ( I don't really count the iPod touch - it was an iPhone without the Gsm modem) - but I can't see them ever returning. To be blunt, ofor me at least, the Apple Watch is the new iteration of an iPod, at least that's one of the biggest selling points of the Watch for me - a very portable music player with far less of the distractions of a phone. .

 

[tubular]

Same, the moment the iPhone finally came with 128GB I was able to ditch the iPod Classic.

I honestly wouldn't mind Apple releasing just a music device again, something between an iPod Nano and iPod Classic. Now that we have pretty high capacity flash chips and cheap OLED screens it would be nice to see just a music device again. Obviously there would be Bluetooth, but wifi would be nice as well for Apple music streaming if you want to.

My ALAC collection finally got to big to fit reasonably on my iPod Touch 128, so I splurged on a new iPhone. If they still made iPods, I'd have gone in that direction.

 

[Happy_John]

Sea

Same, the moment the iPhone finally came with 128GB I was able to ditch the iPod Classic.

I honestly wouldn't mind Apple releasing just a music device again, something between an iPod Nano and iPod Classic. Now that we have pretty high capacity flash chips and cheap OLED screens it would be nice to see just a music device again. Obviously there would be Bluetooth, but wifi would be nice as well for Apple music streaming if you want to.

That's basically an Apple Watch. I could see there begin a market for an Apple Watch with 256 / 512 gigs storage, purely as a music player that can fit an entire iTunes / Apple Music library collected over decades from downloads and ripped CDS.

 

[Gobeatty]

Not sure if Macrumors staff monitor these forums, but just want to add that I enjoy articles about products from Apple's past. Timing with an anniversary makes sense of course but these articles are always welcome.

Still have one of these iPods - and later one I think with a 20mb hard drive? - and it still works.

 

[Happy_John]

My ALAC collection finally got to big to fit reasonably on my iPod Touch 128, so I splurged on a new iPhone. If they still made iPods, I'd have gone in that direction.

That was always the annoyance of even the largest capacity iPods m- just not big enough for your entire music library, if you've been collecting and digitizing for decades.

 

[mindquest]

I have 4 ipods of different types still in working order. The kids now use them all the time as it is hitting some retro vibe they like.

 

[ambientdaw]

Discontinuing the iPod was just one of many assaults on music listening and music collecting by Apple. I love the idea of a previous poster that re-releasing an iPod-like device would be great for kids.

 

[Scoot65]

I bought the 2nd gen 20GB iPod used off Ebay (UK) in August 2003. It's used in my car. I have it connected to the aux port on the radio head unit. The reason I bought the 2nd gen iPod shortly after the 3rd gens had been released was because of three reasons:-

1) I preferred the 2nd gen iPod design over the 3rd gen (still LOVE the design)

2) 3rd gen's battery had 2 hours less playtime.

3) Due to the French Government at the time requiring a certain volume cap, Apple shipped ALL European iPods with a volume limiter and this was impossible to remove on the 3rd gens........ On 2nd gens, this volume limiter could be removed using 'Tinkertool' to locate the hidden file which could then be sent to the trash.

During the last 20+ years I've replaced the battery about 4 or 5 times (3rd party batteries don't seem to last as long as the orginal Apple batteries). Twice the batteries swelled up after I took the iPod on a long haul flight, this is maybe just a coincidence. I've also had to replace the hard drive once.

After 20 plus years I still get pleasure from using this 2nd gen iPod and I still love the design.

I also have a 5th generation 60GB iPod and 5th gen 32GB iPod Touch which I also use regularly

I've also recently, as in 5 days ago, got my 1st gen iPod Touch 32GB (bought new in 2008) up and running again. Restored with 3.1.3. software via my G4 iMac 800.

Products from this era seem to be so special....

 

[Cameront9]

Thread 500 man. Legendary.

 

[robotfist]

I feel like Apple would have a secret hit on their hands if they brought it back for the 25th anniversary.

 

[turbineseaplane]

If anyone would like to jump back in:

Elite Obsolete Electronics

Elite Obsolete Electronics

eoe.works

 

[yabeweb]

Sea

Same, the moment the iPhone finally came with 128GB I was able to ditch the iPod Classic.

I honestly wouldn't mind Apple releasing just a music device again, something between an iPod Nano and iPod Classic. Now that we have pretty high capacity flash chips and cheap OLED screens it would be nice to see just a music device again. Obviously there would be Bluetooth, but wifi would be nice as well for Apple music streaming if you want to.

I went the opposite way, there are times i want my music and no phone, no temptation just pure music.

For me getting an Ibasso Dx180 was the best purchase in years.

Sure i have to bring 2 devices, but one stays in the backpack when not used so not a big fuss, but i get to enjoy music the way i really wasn’t with a phone.

From sound quality (might be placebo as someone says, but i am hearing a HUGE difference) from library size, i have 1 tb of music with micro sd changeable so i could switch for more without saturating my phone (it’s a 256 gb)
I do not use my phone battery to listen to music, wich is a lot every day so less need for a power plug or a battery.

My music is actually ON the device, no renting no monthly bill and it has physical buttons an audio jack and if needed Bluetooth not to mention a replaceable battery!

I actually get to dedicate time to music instead of using it as a background, i am sure it’s not very everybody, actually few people would like all the little issue with carrying 2 devices, but when it works….it’s wonderful.

I’m get an iPod that is just an iPod, not a touch screen device with an iPod app.

 

[ambientdaw]

I went the opposite way, there are times i want my music and no phone, no temptation just pure music.

For me getting an Ibasso Dx180 was the best purchase in years.

Sure i have to bring 2 devices, but one stays in the backpack when not used so not a big fuss, but i get to enjoy music the way i really wasn’t with a phone.

From sound quality (might be placebo as someone says, but i am hearing a HUGE difference) from library size, i have 1 tb of music with micro sd changeable so i could switch for more without saturating my phone (it’s a 256 gb)
I do not use my phone battery to listen to music, wich is a lot every day so less need for a power plug or a battery.

My music is actually ON the device, no renting no monthly bill and it has physical buttons an audio jack and if needed Bluetooth not to mention a replaceable battery!

I actually get to dedicate time to music instead of using it as a background, i am sure it’s not very everybody, actually few people would like all the little issue with carrying 2 devices, but when it works….it’s wonderful.

I’m get an iPod that is just an iPod, not a touch screen device with an iPod app.

I looked up the Ibasso Dx180 and it does not have any much information about the music app it uses or how it interfaces with Mac. It also says it is 128gb and I do not see an SD slot, that does no make sense. Can you share more about your 1TB micro SD, you are using it with the Ibasso?

 

[yabeweb]

I looked up the Ibasso Dx180 and it does not have any much information about the music app it uses or how it interfaces with Mac. It also says it is 128gb and I do not see an SD slot, that does no make sense. Can you share more about your 1TB micro SD, you are using it with the Ibasso?

Ibasso uses Android as base so any store app works, the default player is Mango, a simple and usually swapped player ( I actually like it but is plain and gesture are not intuitive at first.)

It has built in storage depending on the ram you get ( very little difference as it is just playing song for me ).

I have the 128 with an micro SD 1 Tb, the ibasso sure has micro SD card.....and sounds amazing.

Attached Mango player image, the SD card ant the controls on the side.

Doesn't really interface with Mac, I use android file transfer.


It does support apple music though.