IPod

The iPod is a series of portable music players designed by the company Apple Inc. in California. The iPod comes with computer cables so that the user can put music from their computer onto the iPod, and play music from it using headphones. Newer iPods allow a user to play games, view pictures, watch videos and use the internet, too. 

The first iPod was named the iPod Classic. This iPod was released on October 23, 2001. Apple Inc. made the iPod like this until September 9, 2014.

Apple made a smaller iPod called the iPod mini. It was much smaller than the iPod Classic, but did not hold as many songs. The mini still used a very small hard drive. It was replaced by a version of the iPod called the iPod nano.

Another type of iPod, called the iPod shuffle, was very small, and it used flash memory, like the iPod mini but it had no screen. It was the least expensive iPod.

The most expensive iPod is called the iPod touch. It has a touch screen, like the iPhone. It looks like the iPhone, but it is not a smartphone. The first generation of iPod touch was released on September 5, 2007, it was discontinued on May 10, 2022.

iPods often contain songs downloaded from an online music store, using a program called iTunes. (The name of Apple's music and video store is the iTunes Store.) Songs are sold in AAC file format, not MP3 or WMA. These are popular formats for compressing (making smaller) music until it does not take up much space and can easily be put on a media player such as the iPod.

The App Store is an online shop that is run by Apple Inc. where people can buy software for their iPhone or iPod Touch. It opened on July 11, 2008. Over 2 million applications (or apps for short) are available for people to buy. Some apps are available for free.

 Models 
ModelGenerationImageStorage spaceChangesConnectionOriginal release datePricing (USD)Minimum OS to synciPod classicfirst45px5, 10 GBFirst model, with a scroll wheel that actually moved. 10 GB model made later.FireWire23 October 2001$399, $499(5 GB later $299)Mac: 9/10.0/10.1second45px|second generation iPod10, 20 GBTouch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port has a cover. Hold switch has changed. Works with Windows too, by using the Musicmatch program.FireWire17 July 2002$399, $499Mac: 10.1Win: XPthird45px|third generation iPod10, 15, 20, 30, 40 GBFirst complete redesign. Everything works from the top-screen and the case is slimmer. Musicmatch program is replaced by iTunes 4.7 for Windows.FireWire (USB for syncing only)28 April 2003$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.2Win: XPfourth45px20, 40 GBHas a Click Wheel like the iPod mini.FireWire or USB19 July 2004$299, $399Mac: 10.3Win: XPfourth (photo) (color)45px|fourth generation iPodphoto : 30, 40, 60 GBcolor: 20, 60 GBPremium version of 4G iPod with colour screen and picture viewing. Later became part of the main iPod section again.FireWire or USBOctober 2004photo: $499, $599(later $349, $449)color: $299, $399Mac: 10.3Win: XPfifth45px|fifth generation iPod30, 60, 80 GBSecond full redesign with a slimmer case, and larger screen with video playback. Available in black or white.USB (FireWire for battery charging only)12 October 2005$299, $399(later $249, $349)Mac: 10.4Win: XP/Vistasixth45px|sixth generation iPod shuffle80, 160 GBFirst one to have "Classic" at the end of its name. New way to control it. Has an anodized aluminium front plate. Silver replaces white.USB (FireWire for charging only)5 September 2007$249, $349Mac: 10.4/10.5/10.6/10.7/Mac OS X v10.8/10.8Win: XP/Vista/7iPod mini (no longer made) first45px4 GBNew smaller model, available in 5 colours. Introduced the "Click Wheel".USB or FireWire6 January 2004$249Mac: 10.3Win: XPsecond45px4, 6 GBBrighter colours available, with a battery that last longer. Click Wheel letters match the colour of the case. Gold colour not made any more. Later replaced by iPod nano.USB or FireWire22 February 2005$199, $249Mac: 10.3/10.4Win: XPiPod nanofirst40px|first generation iPod nano1, 2, 4 GBReplaced iPod mini. Available in black or white. Uses flash memory. Colour screen for picture viewing. 1 GB version made later.USB (FireWire for battery charging only)7 September 2005$149, $199, $249Mac: 10.4Win: 2000second40px|4 GB blue iPod nano2, 4, 8 GBAnodized aluminum casing and 6 colours available.USB (FireWire for battery charging only)12 September 2006$149, $199, $249Mac: 10.4Win: XP/Vistathird45px|4 GB third iPod nano4, 8 GB2" QVGA screen. Colours changed with chrome made again. New way to control it. Can use with videos.USB (FireWire for battery charging only)5 September 2007$149, $199Mac: 10.4/10.5Win: XP/Vistafourth45px|iPod Nano 4G in Black8, 16 GBChanged back to tall way-round. All-aluminum case with 9 colour choices. Has an accelerometer to allow shake and horizontal viewing. 4GB model available only in a limited number of places.USB9 September 2008$149, $199Mac: 10.5Win: XP/Vistafifth45px8, 16 GBHas larger screen and smoother case than iPod nano G4. Built-in video camera, microphone, and FM tuner.USB9 September 2009$149,$179Mac:10.5/10.6Win:XP/Vista/7sixth40px8, 16 GBReverted to small iPod Shuffle design with a 1.8" multi-touchscreen all around the body. Removes video recording, video playback, speakers, and microphone.USB1 September 2010$99Mac:10.6/10.7/10.8Win:7seventh45px16 GBReverted to iPod Shuffle and iPod Touch crossover with Video Playback re-added and Bluetooth added.USB12 September 2012$129Mac:10.7/10.8Win:Windows 7/Windows 8iPod shufflefirst30px|first generation iPod shuffle512 MB, 1 GBNew entry-level (cheapest) model. Uses flash memory and has no screen.USB(no adaptor required)11 January 2005$99, $149(later $69, $99)Mac: 10.3/10.4Win: XPsecond45px|second generation iPod shuffle1 GBSmaller clip design with anodized aluminium case. 4 colour options added later. Colours were later refreshed.USB12 September 2006$79Mac: 10.4Win: XP/Vistathird75px4 GBReverted to first generation with controls moved to right headphone cable. Two colours, and has VoiceOver. 3 more colors added later.USB11 March 2009$79Mac: 10.5/10.6Win: XP/Vista/7fourth60px4 GBReverted to second generation Shuffle with controls returned to the body of the iPod. Features VoiceOver.USB1 September 2010$79Mac: 10.6/10.7/10.8iPod touchfirst65px8, 16, 32 (released later) GBWith Safari internet browser, Multi-touch, Wi-Fi, wireless access to the iTunes Store and YouTube.USB (FireWire for battery charging only)5 September 2007 (32GB February 2008)$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.4/10.5Win: XP/Vistasecond65px8, 32, 64  GBNew tapered chrome back with Nike+ function, volume buttons, and built-in speaker added.USB9 September 2008$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.5Win: XP/Windows Vistathird65px32, 64  GBFeatures Voice Control from iPhone 3GS.USB9 September 2009$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.6Win: XP/Vista/7fourth70px8, 32, 64 GBNew design from iPhone 4. Features front and back video cameras.USB1 September 2010$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.6/10.7/10.8Win: 7fifth70px32, 64 GBFeatures larger 4" screen from iPhone 5. First iPod Touch available in several different colors.USB12 September 2012$299, $399, $499Mac: 10.7/10.8Win:7/8125px|thumb|right|(PRODUCT)RED 2G iPod nano.

Timeline

References

 Other websites 

 Apple iPod—Official website
 Apple's 21st century Walkman—Brent Schlender, Fortune, October 2001
 iPod Nation—Steven Levy, Newsweek, July 2004
 Behind the Music—Ken Aaron, Cornell Engineering, 2005
 The Perfect Thing—Steven Levy, Wired, November 2006