Technical information

User interface

The iPod’s signature Click Wheel

iPods with color displays use anti-aliased graphics and text, with sliding animations. All iPods have five buttons and the later generations (4th and above) have the buttons integrated into the click wheel  a design which gives an uncluttered, minimalist interface. The buttons are:

Menu: to traverse backwards through the menus, toggle the backlight on older iPods, and jump to the main menu on newer iPods

Center: to select a menu item

Play / Pause: this doubles as an off switch when held

Skip Forward / Fast Forward

Skip Backwards / Fast Reverse

Operating system and firmware

The iPod’s operating system is stored on its dedicated storage medium. An additional NOR flash ROM chip (either 1 MiB or 512 KiB) contains a bootloader program that tells the device to load its OS from the storage medium. Each iPod also has 32 MiB of RAM, although the 60 and 80 GB fifth generation, and the sixth generation models have 64 MiB. A portion of the RAM is used to hold the iPod OS loaded from firmware, but the majority of it serves to cache songs from the storage medium. For example, an iPod could spin its hard disk up once and copy approximately 30 MB of upcoming songs into RAM, thus saving power by not requiring the drive to spin up for each song. Rockbox and iPodLinux offer open-source alternatives to the standard firmware and operating system, respectively. However, at the current time these are both unavailable for use with the 6th generation iPod Classic due to encryption used on the official firmware.

Additional features

In March 2002, Apple added limited PDA-like functionality: text files can be displayed, while contacts and schedules can be viewed and synchronized with the host computer. Some built-in games are available, including Brick (a clone of Breakout), Parachute, Solitaire, and Music Quiz. A firmware update released in September 2006 brought some extra features to fifth generation iPods including adjustable screen brightness, gapless playback, and downloadable games (available for purchase from the iTunes Store).

Models

Generation

Image

Capacity

Colours

Connection

Release date

Minimum OS to sync

Rated battery life (hours)

first

5 GB

White

FireWire

October 23, 2001

Mac: 9.2.1, 10.1

audio: 10

10 GB

March 21, 2002

First model, with mechanical scroll wheel. 10 GB model released later. Not compatible with Windows.

first

(1st revision)

5 GB

White

FireWire

July 17, 2002

Mac: 9.2.2, 10.1.4

Win: 2000

audio: 10

Mechanical scroll wheel. Windows-compatible model available. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch.

second

10 GB

White

FireWire

July 17, 2002

Mac: 9.2.2, 10.1.4

Win: 2000

audio: 10

20 GB

Touch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port had a cover. Hold switch revised. Windows-compatible models available. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch.

third

10 GB

White

FireWire (USB for data transfer only  no charging)

April 28, 2003

Mac: 10.1.5

Win: 2000

audio: 8

15 GB

30 GB

First complete redesign with all-touch interface, dock connector, and slimmer case. Musicmatch support dropped with later release of iTunes 4.1 for Windows.

third

(1st revision)

10 GB

White

FireWire (USB for data transfer only  no charging)

September 8, 2003

Mac: 10.1.5

Win: 2000

audio: 8

20 GB

40 GB

third

(2nd revision)

15 GB

White

FireWire (USB for data transfer only  no charging)

January 6, 2004

Mac: 10.1.5

Win: 2000

audio: 8

20 GB

40 GB

fourth

20 GB

White

FireWire or USB

July 19, 2004

Mac: 10.1.5

Win: 2000

audio: 12

Black/Red (Special Edition U2)

October 26, 2004

40 GB

White

July 19, 2004

Adopted Click Wheel from iPod Mini; pack-in accessories reduced along with price drop.

fourth

(photo)

40 GB

White

FireWire or USB

October 26, 2004

Mac: 10.2.8

Win: 2000

audio: 15

slideshow: 5

60 GB

Premium spin-off of 4G iPod with color screen and picture viewing.

fourth

(photo)

(1st revision)

30 GB

White

FireWire or USB

February 23, 2005

Mac: 10.2.8

Win: 2000

audio: 15

slideshow: 5

60 GB

Pack-ins and price reduced. Images directly viewable via optional iPod Camera Connector.

fourth

(with color display)

20 GB

White

Black/Red (Special Edition U2)

FireWire or USB

June 28, 2005

Mac: 10.2.8

Win: 2000

audio: 15

slideshow: 5

White (Special Edition Harry Potter)

September 7, 2005

60 GB

White

June 28, 2005

“iPod with color display”; essentially, the iPod Photo model reintegrated with the main iPod Classic lineup.

fifth

30 GB

White

Black

White (Special Edition Harry Potter)

Black (Special Edition Harry Potter)

USB (FireWire for charging only)

October 12, 2005

Mac: 10.3.9

Win: 2000

audio: 14

slideshow: 3

video: 2

Black/Red

(Special Edition U2)

June 6, 2006

60 GB

White

Black

October 12, 2005

audio: 20

slideshow: 4

video: 3

Second full redesign with a slimmer case, a search function, and larger screen with video playback. Offered in black or white.

fifth

(1st revision)

30 GB

White

Black

Black/Red (Special Edition U2)

USB (FireWire for charging only)

September 12, 2006

Mac: 10.3.9

Win: 2000

audio: 14

slideshow: 4

video: 3.5

80 GB

White

Black

audio: 20

slideshow: 6

video: 6.5

Battery life improved for slideshow and video playbacks.

sixth

(classic)

80 GB

Silver

Black

USB (FireWire for charging only)

September 5, 2007

Mac: 10.4.8

Win: XP SP2

audio: 30

video: 5

160 GB

audio: 40

video: 7

Introduced the “Classic” retronym. New interface and anodized aluminum front plate. Silver replaces white.

sixth

(classic)

(1st revision)

120 GB

Silver

Black

USB (FireWire for charging only)

September 9, 2008

Mac: 10.4.11

Win: XP SP3

audio: 36

video: 6

Genius feature added. 160 GB model dropped and 80 GB model upgraded to 120 GB.

sixth

(classic)

(2nd revision)

160 GB

Silver

Black

USB (FireWire for charging only)

September 9, 2009

Mac: 10.4.11

Win: XP SP3

audio: 36

video: 6

Capacity increased to 160 GB using single-platter drive.

First generation

A first generation iPod (2001)

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod on October 23, 2001, with the slogan “1,000 songs in your pocket”. The first iPod had a black and white LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen and featured a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3 and was priced at US9. Among the iPod’s innovations were its small size, achieved using a 1.8″ hard drive, whereas its competitors were using 2.5″ hard drives at the time, and its easy-to-use navigation, which was controlled using a mechanical scroll wheel (unlike later iPods, which had touch-sensitive scroll wheels), a center select button, and 4 auxiliary buttons around the wheel. The iPod had a rated battery life of 10 hours.

On March 20, 2002, Apple introduced a 10 GB model of the first generation iPod for US9. vCard compatibility was added, as well, allowing iPods to display business card information synced from a Mac.

Second generation

A second generation iPod (2002)

The second generation iPod was introduced on July 17, 2002. Using the same body style as the first generation, the hold switch was redesigned, a cover was added to the FireWire port, and the mechanical wheel was replaced with a touch-sensitive wheel. The front plate also had rounded corners and edges. The second-generation class was available in 10 GB for US9 and 20 GB for US9. The first-generation 5 GB Classic was carried over, but its price was reduced to US9.

Notably, Apple began selling Windows-compatible versions of the iPod starting with the second generation. These versions came with a 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter and were bundled with Musicmatch Jukebox instead of iTunes.

In December 2002, Apple unveiled its first limited edition iPods, with either Madonna, Tony Hawk, or Beck signature or No Doubt’s band logo engraved on the back for an extra US.

Third generation

A 3rd Generation iPod (2003)

On April 28, 2003, Apple announced a completely redesigned third-generation iPod. Thinner than the previous models, the third generation models replaced the FireWire port with a new Dock Connector (which is still used today) and introduced the Touch Wheel, a completely non-mechanical interface with the four auxiliary buttons located in a row between the screen and the touch wheel. The front plate had rounded edges, and the rear casing was slightly rounded as well. A new wired remote connector was introduced. Whereas first and second generation Classics had an auxiliary ring around the headphone port for the remote, the third generation Classic had a 4-pin jack adjacent to the headphone port. A 10 GB model was sold for US9, a 15 GB model for US9, and a 30 GB model for US9. All iPods were now compatible with Mac and Windows out of the box, simply requiring Windows users to reformat the iPod before use on a PC and both iTunes and Musicmatch were bundled with all iPods. The battery life was reduced to 8 hours, partially due to the use of a lithium-ion battery as opposed to a lithium polymer battery.

The 15 GB model was replaced by a 20 GB model and the 30 GB model was upgraded to 40 GB on September 8, 2003. The Windows-based Musicmatch software was made obsolete by and replaced by iTunes 4.1, the first version available for Microsoft Windows.

Fourth generation

A 4th Generation iPod Photo (2004).

Announced on July 19, 2004, the fourth-generation iPod replaced the touch wheel from the third generation iPod with the Click Wheel from the iPod Mini, putting the four auxiliary buttons underneath a touch-sensitive scroll wheel. The casing was also slightly slimmer. Pricing was reduced and the lineup was simplified, as the 20 GB model was sold for US9 and the 40 GB model for US9. Notably, Apple began reducing pack-in accessories starting with the fourth generation. While a dock, carrying case, and wired remote were previously included with higher-end iPods, the higher-level 40GB iPod only came with a dock, Sennheiser-iPod earphones and an interchangeable proprietary cable capable of USB and FireWire interface. In addition to using the iPod Mini’s Click Wheel, the fourth generation Classic used the more energy-efficient components of the Mini, allowing the fourth generation iPod to over 12 hours of battery life while using the same battery as its predecessor.

A special U2 edition was announced on October 26, 2004, to cross-market U2′s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album. The plastic front piece of the U2 edition iPod was black and the scroll wheel was red, to coincide with the color scheme of the U2 album. With 30 GB and the signatures of all four members of U2, the special edition iPod was priced at US9 and also included a US coupon for a US9 collection of U2′s entire back catalog. U2 iPods had special privileges, such as downloading songs for free.

A Special Harry Potter Edition was announced on September 7, 2005. It was released in conjunction with the Harry Potter Audiobooks in iTunes. It had a Hogwarts logo engraved on the back, and all 6 Harry Potter Audiobooks which were available at the time preloaded.

iPod Photo

Main article: iPod Photo

At the same time that the U2 iPod was announced, Apple also unveiled the iPod Photo.

Positioned as a premium version of the standard fourth-generation iPod, the iPod Photo featured a 220×176 pixel LCD capable of displaying up to 65,536 colors. The photo supported JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG graphic file formats, and could be attached to a television or other external display for slideshows. The battery was rated for 15 hours for music playback and 5 hours for slideshows with music. The photo was available in a 40 GB version for US9 and a 60 GB version for US9.

On February 23, 2005, both40 GB models (photo and regular) were replaced with a slimmer and lower-priced (US9) 30 GB photo model leaving only a 20GB iPod regular left. The price for the 60 GB model was dropped to US9, and accessory pack-ins were reduced, making the dock, FireWire cable, and television cable extra-cost options.

iPod With Color Display

Main articles: iPod With Color Display and iPod (With Color Display)

On June 28, 2005, the iPod Photo was merged into the monochrome iPod line. The 30 GB model was dropped, and the 20 GB monochrome iPod received a color screen. The price for the 60 GB model was also dropped to US9.

Fifth generation

5th Generation iPod in white (2005).

The fifth generation iPod was introduced on October 12, 2005, shortly after the introduction of the iPod Nano. The fifth generation iPod featured a 2.5″ 320×240 QVGA screen and a smaller Click Wheel. It is also known as the iPod Video.

The iPod Video is the first iPod to be available in an alternative color scheme in a non-special edition form, as a black option was added alongside “Signature iPod White”, and marked the second full redesign of the iPod’s aesthetic with its re-arranged proportions, its return to a fully flat front plate, and its more rounded rear casing. The 4-pin remote port was removed as well, causing backwards compatibility issues with certain accessories. A 30 GB model was offered for US9 and a 60 GB model was offered for US9. The iPod Video was also offered in the U2 special edition for US9 with 30 GB. The iPod Video was the last model to have a plastic face.

6G (left) & 5G (right) iPod Classic showing the updated view feature.

The iPod Video plays video in MP4 (up to 2.5 Mbit/s) and H.264 (up to 1.5 Mbit/s, baseline profile only) formats. Video such as TV shows, podcasts, music videos, and movies may be purchased from online stores such as the iTunes Store, or downloaded from Google Video and other sources, then imported to the iPod via iTunes software.

Videos or photo slideshows may be played from the fifth generation iPod on a television set, projector or monitor with the use of the Apple iPod AV cable or via a dock using an S-Video cable. It is also possible to do this using some camcorder cables with an RCA connection at one end and a three-banded eighth-inch (3.5 mm) A/V plug at the other, however the red and yellow plugs (normally the audio right and video signals respectively) must be swapped around in order to achieve the correct signal.

The iPod Video was updated on September 12, 2006. This update included a brighter screen, a search feature, gapless playback, support for iPod games, and newly designed earphones. The refreshed iPod also had a longer video playback time.

Support for iPod games for the Video and gapless playback for all iPods were enabled through a firmware update. An iTunes installation CD was also no longer bundled, requiring users to download iTunes from Apple’s website. During this update, the 60 GB model was replaced with an 80 GB model, and prices were cut by US for both the 30 GB (US9) and the 80 GB (US9) models.

In this iPod a search function was also added, allowing the user to search for content on the device.

Sixth generation

6th Generation (2007).

During a special iPod-centric event on September 5, 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the sixth generation iPod and the retronym suffix “Classic”. Featuring slightly thinner bodies, the sixth generation Classic also sported dramatically improved battery life, claiming up to 40 hours of music playback and 7 hours of video playback. The iPod Classic has a 2.5″ backlit display at a resolution of 320×240. The front plate of the iPod is now made of anodized aluminum instead of polycarbonate plastic, and “Signature iPod White” has been replaced by silver. This means that it is the first time that white is not a color option for an iPod in the iPod family. The sixth generation Classic also introduced a completely overhauled user interface, incorporating more graphics and Cover Flow. The sixth generation Classic was offered in an 80 GB (20,000 songs) model for MSRP US9/GBP159 and a 160 GB (40,000 songs) model for MSRP US9/GBP229. The U2 special edition has been dropped.

During the ‘Let’s Rock’ Apple Event on September 9, 2008, the 80 GB and the thicker 160 GB model were discontinued in favor of a thin 120 GB version retailing for US9/GBP179. It introduced Genius and audio recording capabilities which are also available in other iPod models released at similar times; however, no firmware update provides either features to the first generation iPod classics

Prior to the ‘It’s Only Rock and Roll’ event on September 9, 2009, the price of the 120 GB version was dropped to US9. During the event Apple re-introduced the 160 GB version with the same slim profile as the 120 GB version, retailing at US9/GBP185. The 120 GB model has now been dropped and the only option available is the 160 GB model.

Timeline of full-size iPod models

See also: Timeline of compact iPod models and Timeline of iPod models

Sources: Apple press release library, Mactracker Apple Inc. model database

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: iPod classic

^ Apple – QuickTime – September 2007 Keynote Address

^ Apple Introduces 10 GB iPod2,000 Songs in Your Pocket, Apple, 2002-03-20. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.

^ Dalrymple, Jim. Limited Edition Madonna, Tony Hawk, Beck iPods. Macworld, 2002-09-10. Retrieved on 2007-01-07.

^ http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/sep/07potter.html

^ http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/apple-ipod-classic