e90 – The iPod at 20

We're celebrating another major milestone in Apple history: the 20th anniversary of the announcement of the iPod. We cover its incredibly rapid development, its worldwide popularity, and the fact that we still carry widescreen iPods with touch controls today.

We're celebrating another major milestone in Apple history: the 20th anniversary of the announcement of the iPod. We cover its incredibly rapid development, its worldwide popularity, and the fact that we still carry widescreen iPods with touch controls today.

Development

The History of iTunes, part 1 and part 2
development timeline tweet
Tony Fadell interview at Computer History Museum
physical design
styrofoam model
BeoCom 6000 phone
Braun T3 pocket radio

technology
Toshiba 1.8" hard drives
FireWire
the "digital hub"
Pixo operating system

the name
Vinnie Chieco
Wikipedia articles with lowercase first letter

Launch

Town Hall event
1,000 songs in your pocket
“No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame.”

Legacy

multiple generations
modding: r/iPod, DankPods
iPod nano reveal
the dock connector will not die
iPod touch
upgrade fees
1st generation ad remastered from Nick Haley's original version

"iPod's Dirty Secret"
a widescreen iPod with touch controls
iPod phone prototype
Apple's favorite musicians: The Beatles, U2
Primephonic acquisition