IPod

Not to be confused with iPad or AirPods.
"IPOD" redirects here. For other uses, see IPOD (disambiguation).
This article is about the series. For specific versions of the iPod, see iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle.
For the music player app formerly called iPod, see Music (software).

iPod
The final iteration of each iPod product. From left to right: iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic and iPod Touch.
DeveloperApple Inc.
TypePortable media player
Release dateNovember 10, 2001 (2001-11-10)
DiscontinuedMay 10, 2022 (2022-05-10)
Units sold450 million (as of May 2022)[1]
Storage512 MB—256 GB
Related
Websiteapple.com/ipod redirects to support.apple.com/ipod-touch
This article is part of a series on the
iPod
List of iPod models

The iPod is a discontinued series of portable media players and multi-purpose mobile devices that were designed and marketed by Apple Inc.[2][3] from 2001 to 2022. The first version was released on November 10, 2001, about 8+1⁄2 months after the Macintosh version of iTunes was released. Apple sold an estimated 450 million iPod products as of 2022. Apple discontinued the iPod product line on May 10, 2022. At over 20 years, the iPod brand is the longest-running to be discontinued by Apple.[4][5]

Some versions of the iPod can serve as external data storage devices, like other digital music players. Prior to macOS 10.15, Apple's iTunes software (and other alternative software) could be used to transfer music, photos, videos, games, contact information, e-mail settings, Web bookmarks, and calendars to the devices supporting these features from computers using certain versions of Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows operating systems.[6][7]

Before the release of iOS 5, the iPod branding was used for the media player included with the iPhone and iPad, which was separated into apps named "Music" and "Videos" on the iPod Touch. As of iOS 5, separate Music and Videos apps are standardized across all iOS-powered products.[8] While the iPhone and iPad have essentially the same media player capabilities as the iPod line, they are generally treated as separate products. During the middle of 2010, iPhone sales overtook those of the iPod.[9]

  1. ^ Mickle, Tripp (May 10, 2022). "Farewell to the iPod". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  2. ^ Clark, Mitchell (May 14, 2022). "Our Memories of the iPod". The Verge. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "What Is an Ipod? How Does the iPod Work? How to Use an iPod". askdeb.com. August 7, 2016. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Miller, Chance (May 10, 2022). ""Apple discontinues iPod touch, ending 20 year run of iconic 'iPod' brand"". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022.
  6. ^ Apple Inc. "iTunes system requirements. Apple iTunes software runs on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or OS X 10.4.9 through to macOS 10.14 and on Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or later". Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  7. ^ McKillop, Ross (July 8, 2007). "10 Alternatives to iTunes for managing your iPod". Simple Help. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
  8. ^ "APPLE IOS 5 IPHONE/IPAD HANDS-ON (screenshot of iPhone home screen with iOS 5 preview)". Boy Genius Report. June 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  9. ^ Dediu, Horace (October 21, 2010). "Turning up the volume: iPhone overtakes iPod". asymco. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2013.