IPod earbud-style earphones
The first generation and second generation iPods are lightweight portable digital music players offered by Apple Computer from October 2001 to August 2003. Key features and items that differentiated Apple's iPod from its diverse competition were its auto-synchronization, graphical user interface and tight integration with iTunes, Apple's desktop digital music player.
The Facts
Apple offered the first generation 5GB iPod with click wheel for $399 from October 2001 through April 2003. It featured a graphical user interface, a high-speed FireWire connector and automatically synchronized with Apple's iTunes 2.0. In March 2002, Apple unveiled a major revision of the original iPod with a $499 10GB model. This new iPod featured a touch-sensitive wheel and the ability to synchronize with a user's contacts. Later that year in July, Apple released a $499 20GB model and reduced the prices of the 5 and 10GB models. With that release, the iPod became compatible with Microsoft Windows.
Hardware
The original iPod weighed 6.5 oz. and, as of 2010, it is the only model to include a physical click wheel, as opposed to the touch-sensitive wheels in later models. The casing differed between the models, with an all-white plastic first generation and a two-toned plastic and chrome second generation. Both first generation and second generation iPods had a 6-pin FireWire port for charging and syncing. The screens of both displayed a resolution of 160 x 128 pixels.
Software
On Mac OS 9 and X, the iPod relies on Apple's iTunes digital music player. Users organize songs into playlists and then the iPod automatically synchronizes when it is connected. Alternatively, users may choose to manually manage their music collection with iTunes. When Apple offered Windows compatibility, MusicMatch Jukebox was the chosen desktop client.
Compatibility
The original iPod and 10GB second generation iPods only worked with iTunes 2 or later in Mac OS 9, OS X 10.1, or later. The second generation iPods released in June 2002 supported iTunes 2 or later, Mac OS 9.2.2, OS X 10.1.4, or later, as well as Microsoft Windows ME, 2000 and XP. Both the first and second generation iPods supported audio formats including MP3, VBR, AIFF, WAV and Audible (for Mac only).
Included Accessories
The original iPod shipped with Apple's signature white earbud-style headphones, a FireWire cable to connect the iPod and a power adapter. The second generation iPods included earbud-style headphones that offered enhanced listening experience, a remote control, carrying case, AC adapter and FireWire cable. Some variances among the second generation iPod accessories included Windows-compatible 10 and 20GB versions shipping with a 6- to 4-pin FireWire adapter, and that the 5GB model shipped without a case and remote.
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