Steve Jobs Dies: Celebrating 10 Years of iPod

Nearly 10 years ago, Apple released the first iPod, a small portable device which held 1,000 songs with long battery life. The hard-disk portable music player wasn’t the first of its kind, but what set it apart from competitors was its thinness and sleek, simple design. With its now signature scroll wheel, white acrylic front, and stainless-steel back, the iPod was destined for stardom. The iPod’s design was created by Jonathan Ive, who has been the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple since Steve Jobs’ return in 1997. Jobs and Ives reportedly had a close relationship. Their first hit was the candy-colored iMacs in 1998, which changed the PC world. Jobs believed design would take Apple to another dimension, setting the company apart from other technology giants. According to an article by Wired Magazine, Jobs was responsible for molding the iPod’s shape, feel, and design. Jobs held weekly meetings regarding the iPod, later becoming daily, when prototypes were built. According to an insider from the original iPod team, Jobs was very particular about what he wanted from the iPod. For example, the iPod is louder than most MP3 players because Jobs was hard of hearing. The first iPod was a success despite the high initial price tag of $399. Because of its design and technology, the original iPod was inducted into the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The iPod line grew to become a family of music players, first with the iPod Mini, followed by the iPod Photo, Nano, Video, and Touch. The first iPod Touch was released, featuring a completely multi-touch surface. Based on the iPhone, announced earlier that year, the iPod Touch redefined portable music players, with its ability to surf the internet, purchase music on iTunes, and watch YouTube videos. At the most recent Apple keynote event this past week, the iPod nano received a refresh, boasting a small touch screen and different interfaces. The iPod Touch, now Apple’s best selling iPod, now comes in white and receives a price drop. Apple reports iPod sales greater than 300 million since its launch 10 years ago. Current Apple CEO Tim Cook says the iPod is still a “large and important market for Apple.” The iPod is not only responsible for changing the music industry and how people listen to music today, but contributed to Apple’s reputation of merging high technology and high fashion, a combination championed by the late Steve Jobs.