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iPod marks its 15th birthday in a changed world
If you're a gadget fan of a certain age (cough), you're about to feel ancient: Apple's iPod just turned 15 years old. Steve Jobs unveiled the first version of the media player at an event on Apple's campus on October 23rd, 2001. To say that it had a wild ride after that would be an understatement. Many credit the iPod as the device that took Apple from niche PC maker to one of the largest companies on the planet, only to fade away as smartphones took over. But how did it get to where it is now? And is there any room left for the iPod 15 years later? Let's take a quick look back at how the iPod has evolved through the years.
Apple's next-generation iPhone liveblog!
We still don't know exactly what they're going to call it ("new," 4G, 5, 6...?) but the banner above may be a big clue that we're about to see the iPhone 5 unveiled. This is the phone you've been waiting to see, and we're finally about to see it. If you don't know what to expect, our iPhone 5 rumor roundup will give you a good idea, but we're also hopeful that the venerable iPod lineup will be getting a refresh too, and there'll be plenty of time for other surprises. Can't wait? We can't either. Join us at the time below and come ready to party. September 12, 2012 1:00 PM EDT
The iPod turns 10, celebrates a decade of destroying physical media
It's hard to believe, but it's been exactly ten years since the iPod was first unveiled, ultimately changing the music industry forever. The iPod wasn't the first, it wasn't the smallest, it didn't have the largest hard drive, but it did have an iconic style and simple to use interface that led march away from CDs. When the history of Apple is written the iPod (perhaps more than the iMac, OS X or the iPhone) will be credited with helping spearhead the company's second coming. Over the years the music player has seen countless iterations and redesigns, and an expansion of the product line to include smaller devices and touch screens -- but for most it's the scroll wheel and white earbuds that define the iPod. Sure, what is now called the iPod classic hasn't seen a serious update since about 2007, but it still holds a special place in our hearts, especially for those of us who don't measure their music collection in a few dozen iTunes downloads.
Lawsuit alleges Apple conspired with Mafia, put hidden receivers in iPods for transmitting death threats
What you are about to read is from an actual court filing. Gregory McKenna has filed suit against Apple, which he alleges is conspiring with the mob in an effort to coerce him to return to a New York-based modeling agency he quit in 2000. As explained in the 124-page complaint, an iPod shuffle he bought on eBay in 2005 and an iPod mini he bought new from an Apple store in 2006 -- possibly a nano, as minis were discontinued a year prior -- both contain receivers that have allowed the Mafia to send audio death threats that play in tandem with his music. The suit seeks $14.3 million total and lists ten defendants in all, including a local mechanic, a private investigator, the St. Louis Police Department, the FBI, and the US Department of Justice. While our initial reaction is to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, it's hard not to feel sad for McKenna and his state of mind -- of course, if by some stroke of fate he manages to prove it was all one big conspiracy perpetrated by the Mafia, well, guess we'll be ending up with egg on our faces.[Via TUAW]
nesPod is a combo of two blasts from the past we can really dig
We see tons of casemods, but the NES holds a special place in our hearts and memories, so anything in the black-redish orange-gray combo catches our eye pretty easily. The nesPod -- the fine work of flickr user recycledgamer -- is made of a gutted NES controller and an iPod mini circa 2004-2005. The back has been carefully cut out to allow access to the screen and clickwheel, and that's really all there is to it -- no intense mapping of buttons, hacking, or anything -- just a totally chill casemod. You cool with that? Because we are. There's a shot of the back after the break. Hit the read link for the full set of photos.[Via Technabob]
iPod mini maxed out with CF card
It looks like iPod minis aren't obsolete just yet thanks to Mark Hoekstra's flash card mod, which entails switching out the original Microdrive with a 4GB flash card. iPod minis served a short term in Appledom, but come to think of it, they're a manageable size, have one of the more durable iPod casings, and they don't look half-bad either. After the modding is complete, a quick restore in iTunes reloads the card with Apple's firmware (you can also upload other software like Podzilla), then you're all set to jam out. So if you own a member of this dying breed (and have a steady hand), use this little proof-of-concept to extend your mini's lifespan while one-upping Apple at the same time.[Via digg]
The iPod turns five
Hard to believe it, but a half decade ago today Steve Jobs stood up in front of a small crowd and introduced an "MP3 music player... that plays all of the popular open formats of digital music, MP3, MP3 VBR, WAV, and AIFF," a device that changed the consumer electronics industry forever. Of course, that device was the iPod. Love it or hate it (we tend to have mixed feelings about it 'round Engadget HQ), the iPod helped to make consumer electronics cool again, and managed to be a huge step forward for the CE industry shortly after the tech bubble had burst -- and during a time when the country was in turmoil after the attacks of 9/11, no less. No, the iPod wasn't the first digital music player -- not even the first with a portable hard drive -- but we're not going to wax on about what it was that charmed tens of millions of consumers out of their hard earned cash. So we figured it'd be enough to present to you an iPod family tree, do a little groundskeeping to make sure the iPod family cemetery is in good shape, and let you blow out the iPod's birthday candles whichever way you like.P.S. - Check out Steve's original introduction to the iPod after the break. Ah, memories.
iOPS reveals BlueQ 4GB DAP
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it seems like Korean manufacturer iOPS has mad love for almost all of the major DAP makers on the market. Having already taken design cues from Samsung's YP-U1 and Apple's iPod mini -- they actually got sued for that one -- it looks like the company now has its sights set on the iRiver Clix with its latest offering, the BlueQ. Formerly known as the Q18, this model sports a 1.8-inch, 262,000-color screen, up to 4GB of flash storage capacity, and most impressively, Bluetooth support for wireless enjoyment of your tunes or 30fps vids. Expect to see the BlueQ in stores sometime in mid-August for an unknown price, but probably not in the US. Watch out Sandisk and Creative -- we hear that iOPS' engineers just got their hands on a Sansa and Zen V.[Via DAPreview, photo courtesy of popco]
Apple to give new iPod nano an aluminum makeover?
With some iPod revisions just around the corner -- at least according to the more optimistic rumor mongers among us -- there are new whispers of Apple pulling another design revision reminiscent of their iPod mini to nano transition. This time, though, they're taking it in reverse, and are supposedly outfitting their miniature player in aluminum to combat those scratches and durability problems that the nano was so given to. The aluminum is supposed to even come in various colors just like the mini did (pictured above), but the player is said to retain the same form factor as the nano, along with bumping the storage capacity to 8GB. These rumors are based on AppleInsider "sources," so we really have no way to verify their accuracy, but it seems pretty reasonable that Apple will do something about their players to combat those scratches and the accompanying lawsuits.
His noodly appendage touched my iPod
As a fan of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (that's FSM to true believers), I was delighted when TUAW reader Eric sent us this tip. GelaSkins sells adhesive iPod skins, including two of the FSM himself. In fact, they've got quite a nice collection of skins, all removable and made of high-quality vinyl. Skins are available for the iPod, iPod nano, iPod mini and 4G iPod. They all cost $14.95, and you get one free when you buy three.
Replace your iPod mini's battery
It is a fact, people love their iPod minis. Whether it is the various colors, or the solid feel of the body itself, iPod mini's will never go out of style. They will, however, eventually run out of juice. Luckily, Fstop Blues has posted a very detailed tutorial on how you can replace your iPod mini's battery yourself for about $30.[via Lifehacker]
iPod Invisa for sale on Ebay
Hey, the Steve Jobs skit that recently aired on SNL is finally funny! The all-new, ultra tiny iPod Invisa is for sale on Ebay. It measures 0.000000mm x 0.000000mm x 0.000000mm, weighs 0.000000oz (shipping weight 0.000001 oz), holds 8 million songs as well as every photo ever taken! Here it is pictured next to an iPod mini.The funny part is that the auction is up to $50US (at the time of this posting) across 12 bids. It was a skit, people. If you're that eager to give up fifty bucks, I'll take it.
Optical mouse, 4GB iPod mini gone for good?
It's almost time for Mac Expo Paris, and you know what that means: The rumors are flying. To add to the fray, Apple Insider reports today that the Paris Expo may mean the end of the 4GB iPod mini and the optical Apple Pro Mouse. According to the article, Apple has canceled individual backorders for the Pro Mouse, and removed it from the online Apple Store. Additionally, some resellers seem to be having difficulty in restocking the 4GB iPod mini (making way for flash-based iPod minis?).What bold predictions! No more low-end mouse and no more low-end iPod. Is it just me, or do the rumor sites seem to be much quieter than they were, say, before the Think Secret incident? I don't know if they're just more timid lately or if former sources have actually run dry. Either way, I like the silence. That way, Steve's "one more thing" is still a surprise.[Via Apple Insider]
