The history of iPod

We roll back the years on classic Apple tech

Few tech devices have had such a long and varied life as Apple’s iPod. Born as a simple way to put 1,000 songs in your pocket, it diverged simultaneously into a tiny clip-on music player on the one hand, and a full-on pocket computer on the other. We track the story of a modern icon.

January 2004

The iPod mini, a smaller model in 5 colours is introduced.

October 2004

The first colour iPods that display photos are released. iPods now have USB.

September 2007

The last iPod ‘classic’ is available in sizes up to 120GB. A 160GB model is introduced in 2009, but the classic is discontinued in September 2014.

September 2007

The first iPod touch is released, starting a new life for the iPod brand as an iPhone, without the phone.

September 2010

The fourth, and still the latest, generation of the iPod shuffle is launched with a clip-on design and five different colours.

July 2015

A fifth generation iPod touch available in 6 colours, a 128GB model and an A8 processor is released.

October 2001

iPod launches with 5GB storage, a mechanical scroll wheel and sporting a FireWire connection.

July 2002

A second generation iPod introduces a touch sensitive wheel, 10 and 20GB storage.

January 2005

The iPod shuffle is born, but the ‘stick of gum’ with lanyard only lasts a year.

September 2005

Apple launches the iPod nano, and even slimmer version of the iPod mini. Initially only available in black and white, colours were added in 2006.

September 2009

The new 5th generation iPod nano becomes the first iPod with a video camera. The iPod touch doesn’t get a video camera until the release of the 4th generation in 2010.

September 2012

The 7th generation nano is released, and is still the most recent version. It features a tall form factor and has video playback.