Tech History Today
October 23, 2001: Jobs introduces the Apple iPod
Steve Jobs introduced the original Apple iPod on this day in 2001. The company used the slogan “1000 Songs in your Pocket” to market the device.
The original iPod featured a 5GB of hard drive, Firewire connectivity, and synchronization to iTunes. However, the initial launch didn’t provide the compatibility with Windows OS, resulting in slower sales until 2004.
Apple used a 1.8″ drive, making iPod significantly smaller than the competing MP3 players of the time. Meanwhile, the Firewire port allowed simultaneous charging and high-speed music synchronization, making the device innovative for its time.