iPod

The iPod line from October 2012. From left to right: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod Touch.

The iPod is a discontinued range 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. It used flash memory, a special kind of memory for very small electronics, instead of a 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's very similar to the IPhone, but it's not a smartphone. The first generation of iPod touch was released on September 5, 2007 and 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

Model	Generation	Storage space	Changes	Connection	Original release date	Pricing (USD)	Minimum OS to sync
iPod classic	first	5, 10 GB	First model, with a scroll wheel that actually moved. 10 GB model made later.	FireWire	23 October 2001	$399, $499 (5 GB later $299)	Mac: 9/10.0/10.1
	second	10, 20 GB	Touch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port has a cover. Hold switch has changed. Works with Windows too, by using the Musicmatch program.	FireWire	17 July 2002	$399, $499	Mac: 10.1 Win: XP
	third	10, 15, 20, 30, 40 GB	First 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, $499	Mac: 10.2 Win: XP
	fourth	20, 40 GB	Has a Click Wheel like the iPod mini.	FireWire or USB	19 July 2004	$299, $399	Mac: 10.3 Win: XP
	fourth (photo) (color)	photo : 30, 40, 60 GB color: 20, 60 GB	Premium version of 4G iPod with colour screen and picture viewing. Later became part of the main iPod section again.	FireWire or USB	October 2004	photo: $499, $599 (later $349, $449) color: $299, $399	Mac: 10.3 Win: XP
	fifth	30, 60, 80 GB	Second 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: 10.4 Win: XP/Vista
	sixth	80, 160 GB	First 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, $349	Mac: 10.4/10.5/10.6/10.7/Mac OS X v10.8/10.8 Win: XP/Vista/7
iPod mini (no longer made)	first	4 GB	New smaller model, available in 5 colours. Introduced the "Click Wheel".	USB or FireWire	6 January 2004	$249	Mac: 10.3 Win: XP
iPod mini (no longer made)	second	4, 6 GB	Brighter 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 FireWire	22 February 2005	$199, $249	Mac: 10.3/10.4 Win: XP
iPod nano	first	1, 2, 4 GB	Replaced 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, $249	Mac: 10.4 Win: 2000
	second	2, 4, 8 GB	Anodized aluminum casing and 6 colours available.	USB (FireWire for battery charging only)	12 September 2006	$149, $199, $249	Mac: 10.4 Win: XP/Vista
	third	4, 8 GB	2" 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, $199	Mac: 10.4/10.5 Win: XP/Vista
	fourth	8, 16 GB	Changed 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.	USB	9 September 2008	$149, $199	Mac: 10.5 Win: XP/Vista
	fifth	8, 16 GB	Has larger screen and smoother case than iPod nano G4. Built-in video camera, microphone, and FM tuner.	USB	9 September 2009	$149,$179	Mac:10.5/10.6 Win:XP/Vista/7
	sixth	8, 16 GB	Reverted to small iPod Shuffle design with a 1.8" multi-touchscreen all around the body. Removes video recording, video playback, speakers, and microphone.	USB	1 September 2010	$99	Mac:10.6/10.7/10.8 Win:7
	seventh	16 GB	Reverted to iPod Shuffle and iPod Touch crossover with Video Playback re-added and Bluetooth added.	USB	12 September 2012	$129	Mac:10.7/10.8 Win:Windows 7/Windows 8
iPod shuffle	first	512 MB, 1 GB	New entry-level (cheapest) model. Uses flash memory and has no screen.	USB (no adaptor required)	11 January 2005	$99, $149 (later $69, $99)	Mac: 10.3/10.4 Win: XP
	second	1 GB	Smaller clip design with anodized aluminium case. 4 colour options added later. Colours were later refreshed.	USB	12 September 2006	$79	Mac: 10.4 Win: XP/Vista
	third	4 GB	Reverted to first generation with controls moved to right headphone cable. Two colours, and has VoiceOver. 3 more colors added later.	USB	11 March 2009	$79	Mac: 10.5/10.6 Win: XP/Vista/7
	fourth	4 GB	Reverted to second generation Shuffle with controls returned to the body of the iPod. Features VoiceOver.	USB	1 September 2010	$79	Mac: 10.6/10.7/10.8
iPod touch	first	8, 16, 32 (released later) GB	With 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, $499	Mac: 10.4/10.5 Win: XP/Vista
	second	8, 32, 64 GB	New tapered chrome back with Nike+ function, volume buttons, and built-in speaker added.	USB	9 September 2008	$299, $399, $499	Mac: 10.5 Win: XP/Windows Vista
	third	32, 64 GB	Features Voice Control from iPhone 3GS.	USB	9 September 2009	$299, $399, $499	Mac: 10.6 Win: XP/Vista/7
	fourth	8, 32, 64 GB	New design from iPhone 4. Features front and back video cameras.	USB	1 September 2010	$299, $399, $499	Mac: 10.6/10.7/10.8 Win: 7
	fifth	32, 64 GB	Features larger 4" screen from iPhone 5. First iPod Touch available in several different colors.	USB	12 September 2012	$299, $399, $499	Mac: 10.7/10.8 Win:7/8

(PRODUCT)^RED 2G iPod nano.

Timeline

Timeline of iPod models and related products

Sources: Apple press release library,^[1] Mactracker Apple Inc. model database^[2]

IPod Media

This is the current variant of the iPod logo, which debuted in 2017.
Various iPod models. From left to right: iPod 5th generation, iPod 4th generation, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle
Four iPod wall chargers for North America, all made by Apple. These have FireWire (left) and USB (right three) connectors, which allow iPods to charge without a computer. The units have been miniaturized over time.
The "Made for iPod" logo found on most classic iPod accessories
The signature iPod click wheel
iPod quarterly sales. Click for table of data and sources. Note that Q1 is October through December of previous year, the holiday season.
Comparison of iPod Mini (right) and a competitor Creative Zen Micro (left)