Earlier this week, Apple announced that the iPod touch was officially discontinued. Since it is the last iPod that can still be purchased, its sunset actually marks the end of the entire iPod product line Macrumors, a foreign technology media, reviewed the development of iPod product line in the past 21 years
First generation iPod (2001)
The first iPod, launched in October 2001, is a device that can hold 1000 songs in your pocket. It has become one of Apple's most iconic and well-known products, and it is also one of the devices that have made apple successful again.
The original iPod provided a hard disk with 5GB storage space and a rolling wheel that can rotate physically. It is still the only iPod with this design. It also has a FireWire port that can connect to a Mac for $399.
Apple launched almost the same second-generation iPod in 2002. It is characterized by capacitive sensing touch wheel and click buttons on both sides. The third-generation model has added a more exquisite touch wheel with buttons on it. The third generation iPod also adds a dock connector.
With the launch of the fourth generation model in 2004, Apple launched the click wheel, which is an iteration of the touch wheel and also contains buttons. Click apple to continue to use in the next few years.
In late 2004, the iPod photo with color display was launched after the fourth generation models. In 2005, apple expanded the color display to all models and launched the iPod with color display. Both products are considered to be part of the fourth generation product lineup.
Apple added video function to the fifth generation iPod in 2005, which is also the first iPod with black besides the special black and red U2 version.
After the iPod Video, Apple launched the iPod classic, and launched several versions in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Their designs are very similar. The 2009 iPod classic is Apple's last iPod in size. It features a 160GB hard disk, a click wheel and a wide screen color display. It persisted until it was discontinued in 2014.
IPod mini (2004)
Apple's first iPod Mini came out in 2004. It is much smaller than the standard iPod. It has several interesting colors, including yellow, blue, pink and gold, and it has a standard click wheel.
The iPod Mini didn't last long. Although there was a second-generation version in 2005, it stopped production after that and supported the iPod Nano instead.
IPod nano (2005)
This series replaces the iPod Mini. The iPod Nano is one of Apple's most interesting iPods because it has experienced many major design iterations over the years.
Apple started with a slim aluminum colored iPod with a click wheel, a color screen and flash memory, enabling apple to cut size. In 2006, the nano was replaced by the second generation version. It has more rounded edges, smaller dimensions and bright aluminum colors.
For the third generation iPod Nano, which came out in 2007, Apple has taken a completely different direction. This nano is commonly known as iPod Nano fatty. It has a wider, more flat body, a wider display screen, and several colors to choose from.
The nano fatty lasted only one year and was replaced by the fourth generation iPod Nano, which was slimmed down again. It has a whole rainbow of colors. It has a higher screen, a curved front, and an accelerator for the "shake" function, allowing you to shake your iPod to cut songs.
Apple's fifth generation iPod Nano in 2009 is similar to the fourth generation, but has a higher screen and gets a camera and a microphone. It also has brighter colors, but Apple maintains a wide range of color choices.
In 2010, the sixth generation nano underwent a major design reform. It is just a screen with a square body. It uses a multi touch display instead of a click wheel, which is also the version that people connect the watch strap to, making it the predecessor of Apple watch.
In 2012, apple changed the design on the seventh generation iPod Nano, restoring the rectangular shape, but retaining the multi touch display. The nano of this era looks similar to the smaller iPod touch. It has a home key and supports multiple applications. The seventh generation iPod Nano had a new color in 2015 and was discontinued in 2017.
IPod shuffle (2005)
Apple's first iPod shuffle was launched before the second-generation iPod Mini in 2005. It looks like an Apple TV remote control. It is Apple's first iPod without a display. It has nothing except a control board to reduce the size. In addition, it can also be used as a flash drive.
The second generation iPod shuffle underwent a major redesign in 2006. Apple reduced it to half its original size and added a belt clip. It was advertised as the world's smallest MP3 player at that time, and even had a small iPod shuffle base for charging it through the headphone jack. It was launched in silver, but Apple eventually introduced other colors, such as pink, blue, green and orange.
The iPod shuffle was redesigned again in 2009. Apple added a voice function to let it say the names of songs and albums out loud from text to voice. In this model, apple canceled the control device on the device and played it with headphones with a remote control.
In 2010, apple thought it was a bad idea to have no control on the device and launched the fourth generation iPod shuffle. The fourth generation is the last iPod shuffle, with bright colors, a smaller chassis, and the return of the control board.
The iPod shuffle did not receive any other design updates, although Apple introduced new colors in 2015. It was finally discontinued in 2017.
IPod touch (2007)
The first iPod touch was launched in 2007 with iPhone Together, it is a more affordable alternative to the iPhone, with no cellular phone function. It looks like the iPhone. It has a 3.5-inch multi touch display, WiFi support, integrated Safari browser, and applications such as youtube, email, maps and weather.
The second and third generation iPod touch models have the same design, but when the iPhone 4 came out in 2010, apple redesigned the iPod touch to give it a similar appearance. It includes a front FaceTime camera, a rear camera, and supports IMessage. In addition, it also has black or white.
Apple redesigned the iPod touch again in 2012. The fifth generation model has a larger display and thinner body, and it is the first iPod touch with bright colors. It was released at the same time as the iPhone 5. It is a pocket computer equipped with A5 chip.
After the fifth generation iPod touch, the design has not changed, but Apple launched the sixth generation model in 2017 and the seventh generation model in 2019, all with updated chips. After the release of the seventh generation iPod touch in 2019, the device has not been updated for three years until it was discontinued earlier this week.
Apple said it decided to make the iPod lineup sunset because the iPod's features are now built into every apple device, from iPhone to iPad To Mac, Apple TV, homepod and apple watch.
Almost every modern apple device supports the apple music service launched by apple in 2015, and can also be used on the network and Android devices, making the iPod redundant. Apple is selling the iPod touch until it is sold out, but it has sold out in the United States.