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Evolution Of The iPod

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iPod Evolution

During the iPod's short life -- the first one was released less then seven years ago -- it has seen many technical updates and redesigns. Take a look at how the iPod has changed from the first version to the latest incarnation.
Photo: AP

During the iPod's short life -- the first one was released less then seven years ago -- it has seen many technical updates and redesigns. Take a look at how the iPod has changed from the first version to the latest incarnation.

iPod First Generation

: Oct. 2001: 6.5 ouncesThe first iPod had a scroll wheel that physically moved when navigating through song lists. The play, next and menu buttons were placed in a circle around the wheel. A revision was released in 2002 that offered more memory space.
Photo: Apple

Released: Oct. 2001
Weight: 6.5 ounces

The first iPod had a scroll wheel that physically moved when navigating through song lists. The play, next and menu buttons were placed in a circle around the wheel. A revision was released in 2002 that offered more memory space.

iPod Second Generation

: July 2002: 6.5 ounces Although the second version looked like its predecessor, it featured a touch-sensitive wheel instead of the moving scroll wheel, which would be the standard going forward.
Photo: jimmac

Released: July 2002
Weight: 6.5 ounces

Although the second version looked like its predecessor, it featured a touch-sensitive wheel instead of the moving scroll wheel, which would be the standard going forward.

iPod Third Generation

: April 2003: 5.6 ouncesThis version marks the first full redesign of the device. The play, next and menu buttons were moved above the wheel and below the screen. Besides weighing less, Apple also added new software including games and an alarm clock.
Photo: Apple

Released: April 2003
Weight: 5.6 ounces

This version marks the first full redesign of the device. The play, next and menu buttons were moved above the wheel and below the screen. Besides weighing less, Apple also added new software including games and an alarm clock.

iPod mini

: Jan. 2004: 3.6 ounces At the time, the mini was the smallest mp3 player on the market. It was also the first iPod to use  the click wheel – a combination of the function buttons and the touch wheel. Another first for Apple, the device came in five colors: silver, pink, green, blue, and gold.
Photo: AP

Released: Jan. 2004
Weight: 3.6 ounces

At the time, the mini was the smallest mp3 player on the market. It was also the first iPod to use  the click wheel – a combination of the function buttons and the touch wheel. Another first for Apple, the device came in five colors: silver, pink, green, blue, and gold.

iPod Fourth Generation

: July 2004: 5.6 ouncesThe major differences between this version and the third generation is the adoption of the click wheel from the iPod and improved battery life.
Photo: AP

Released: July 2004
Weight: 5.6 ounces

The major differences between this version and the third generation is the adoption of the click wheel from the iPod and improved battery life.

iPod photo

: Oct. 2004: 5.9 ounces Apple introduced the color screen with the iPod Photo, letting users upload photos and music cover art onto the  device. 
Photo: AP

Released: Oct. 2004
Weight: 5.9 ounces

Apple introduced the color screen with the iPod Photo, letting users upload photos and music cover art onto the  device. 

iPod shuffle

: Jan. 2005: 0.78 ounces Starting at just $99, Apple gave consumers a low-cost alternative to the more sophisticated models.  
Photo: AP

Released: Jan. 2005
Weight: 0.78 ounces

Starting at just $99, Apple gave consumers a low-cost alternative to the more sophisticated models.  

iPod nano

: Sept. 2005: 1.5 ouncesDesigned to replace the iPod mini, the nano was the smallest MP3 player on the market when released. The nano was sold in two colors -- white and black. A second generation was released a year later that had aluminum casing and came in five different colors.
Photo: AP

Released: Sept. 2005
Weight: 1.5 ounces

Designed to replace the iPod mini, the nano was the smallest MP3 player on the market when released. The nano was sold in two colors -- white and black. A second generation was released a year later that had aluminum casing and came in five different colors.

iPod Fifth Generation

: Oct. 2005: 4.8 ouncesApple's first move into the portable video market came with this device. The larger screen offered higher resolution for viewing videos. Sold in black or white, this version was significantly thinner than the last iPod model.
Photo: AP

Released: Oct. 2005
Weight: 4.8 ounces

Apple's first move into the portable video market came with this device. The larger screen offered higher resolution for viewing videos. Sold in black or white, this version was significantly thinner than the last iPod model.

iPod shuffle

: Sept. 2006: 0.55 ouncesApple shrunk the size of the shuffle, as well as the price, which started at $79. In early 2007, the model became available in four colors other than the original silver.
Photo: AP

Released: Sept. 2006
Weight: 0.55 ounces

Apple shrunk the size of the shuffle, as well as the price, which started at $79. In early 2007, the model became available in four colors other than the original silver.

iPod classic

: Sept. 2007: 4.9 ouncesThe sixth generation of the iPod, known as the classic, came in silver and black, and brought an end to the white-colored era. 
Photo: Apple

Released: Sept. 2007
Weight: 4.9 ounces

The sixth generation of the iPod, known as the classic, came in silver and black, and brought an end to the white-colored era. 

iPod nano 3G

: Sept. 2007 : 1.74 ouncesA shorter and wider update of the nano, this version is able to play video on a wider screen.
Photo: Apple

Released: Sept. 2007
Weight: 1.74 ounces

A shorter and wider update of the nano, this version is able to play video on a wider screen.

iPod touch

: Sept. 2007: 4.2 ouncesSimilar to the iPhone, the Touch is the first iPod to have a multi-touch screen and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Photo: AP

Released: Sept. 2007
Weight: 4.2 ounces

Similar to the iPhone, the Touch is the first iPod to have a multi-touch screen and Wi-Fi capabilities.

iPod nano

: Sept. 9, 2008The fourth generation is the thinnest ever,  has a curved shape, comes in nine different colors and shuffles songs when users shake it. 
Photo: Apple

Released: Sept. 9, 2008

The fourth generation is the thinnest ever,  has a curved shape, comes in nine different colors and shuffles songs when users shake it. 

iPod Touch

: Sept. 9, 2008This update to the original version includes a thinner body, curved design, volume controls and a built-in speaker. > >
Photo: Apple

Released: Sept. 9, 2008

This update to the original version includes a thinner body, curved design, volume controls and a built-in speaker.


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