Reflecting on the launch of the iPod, I cannot help but recall the significant moment it marked 25 years ago. At the time, I was working at Newsweek, and the date was October 23, shortly after the tragic events of 9/11. The world was still reeling from the aftermath of the attacks, and the focus was primarily on recovery. I wasn’t present in Cupertino for the unveiling, where Steve Jobs famously revealed the device from his jeans pocket, boasting that it could hold an entire music library. Instead, I received the device directly in New York from Apple messengers, and Jobs himself called me, proclaiming, “The iPod will be a historic product.”
He was indeed correct. In 2004, I penned a cover story titled “iPod Nation” and later authored a book entitled The Perfect Thing, dedicated to the iPod.
A Revolutionary Gadget
The iPod’s demise, however, was far less memorable. In fact, the exact moment of its decline remains uncertain. A potential date could be May 10, 2022, when Apple ceased production of the iPod Touch, the last device under that name. Yet, I never considered the Touch to be a true iPod; it was merely an iPhone without mobile connectivity. A more fitting date might have been July 27, 2017, when Apple quietly discontinued the iPod Nano—the final traditional iPod with a screen—and the iPod Shuffle, a tiny player that could clip onto clothing. The iPod Classic, featuring a hard drive and a control wheel, had already been quietly phased out back in 2014.
These final chapters were an inevitable consequence of the shift initiated by Steve Jobs on January 11, 2007, when he announced three groundbreaking products: a phone, an internet device, and “the best iPod ever,” all integrated into the revolutionary iPhone. From that point onwards, the iPod as a standalone device was on borrowed time.
Despite this, Apple continued to sell millions of beloved iPods for years before their eventual disappearance. Although we adore our smartphones, the iPod filled a persistent need, and I firmly maintain that it was indeed The Perfect Thing. It was a device with a singular function that it executed impeccably, bringing unadulterated joy to its users. In contrast, our relationship with smartphones—both iPhones and Android devices—is far more complex.
The Impact of the iPhone
While the device that replaced the iPod has had a far greater impact, it is essential to note that the iPhone is not without its flaws. Financially, it is the driving force behind a company valued at an astonishing $4 trillion, and it is hard to envision any other contender for the title of the best product of the century. However, I would not label the iPhone as perfect. It demands our attention, often drawing us into toxic social media applications. Countless accidents have occurred because drivers were more interested in their touchscreens than in the world around them. The phenomenon of doomscrolling on smartphones can lead to depression, whereas that vibrant iPod offered nothing but happiness.
Part of the excitement surrounding the iPod stemmed from Steve Jobs’ commitment to redesigning it annually. Apple could have easily maintained the original iPod for years, yet it quickly embarked on a series of significant reinventions. Each new iteration presented a device that was smaller and more appealing than its predecessor. The Mini was soon followed by various colourful versions of the Nano and Shuffle. In contrast, while the iPhone receives updates that encourage continued purchases, the thrill of a complete product redesign is noticeably absent.
The Possibility of a Dedicated Music Device
Could there exist a parallel universe where Apple continued to produce the iPod as a dedicated digital music player? I reached out to Tony Fadell, often credited as the father of the iPod for leading the hardware team and launching the product in an impressive sprint of under a year. Following his time at Apple, he was instrumental in developing the iPhone and went on to co-found Nest, become a successful tech investor, and write a well-received book.
Fadell departed from Apple in 2008 and served as a consultant for two additional years while the company still supported the iPod. He recalls that Jobs and other executives recognised it was heading towards obsolescence, despite its popularity among users. As the iPhone surged in success, also boosting Macintosh sales, the iPod’s contribution to the company’s financial results became increasingly insignificant. Jobs was unwavering in setting priorities, a sentiment echoed by his successor, Tim Cook.
The Legacy of the iPod
Fadell notes that there was little concern regarding the iPod’s fate. “The discussions revolved around ensuring that Apple did not engage in less valuable ventures,” he explains. Nevertheless, he agrees that the iPod’s disappearance has left a void that remains unfilled. He highlights that the iPod’s true value lay in what it did not do: connect to the internet. “Since the iPod wasn’t connected, you weren’t distracted by the multitude of other things. Nowadays, you face all the annoyances of being connected without enjoying the same auditory experience. You can always find something else to divert your attention.”
“That device should still exist,” he asserts.
Many seem to share this sentiment. Numerous active communities on Facebook and Reddit are dedicated to modifying old iPods, upgrading them with high-capacity USB drives or adding Bluetooth capabilities. There’s even an app that transforms your iPhone to resemble and function like an iPod Classic. While it performs admirably, it still leaves users just a swipe away from feeds, emails, and myriad distractions that detract from the pure joy of music.
When I asked Fadell about the iPod’s legacy, his response illuminated more about Apple’s history than the product itself. “The iPhone would never have existed without it,” he asserts. “This means that the Apple we know today would not have emerged without the iPod. It transformed the company from a computing firm with a limited user base into a consumer electronics giant.”
“And most astonishingly, that was 25 years ago, which accounts for half of Apple’s existence. We had the Apple II, then the Mac, and then, boom!” he adds.
I prefer to remember the iPod for what it was, rather than what it initiated. Not long ago, I unearthed my iPod Classic. I have an old stereo with a dock designed for the iPod, featuring the vintage 30-pin connector. I set it to shuffle and surrendered to the sheer joy it brought.
I suspect many others would relish a return to the “iPod Nation.” The new CEO, John Ternus, has no incentive to resurrect the product, of course. However, it is disheartening to think of a generation that may never know the delight of owning a dedicated music device, free from interruptions of calls, texts, and notifications. They remain unaware of what they are missing.