iPod Classic

iPod Classic

iPod Classic 6th generation
Manufacturer	Apple Inc.
Type	Portable media player / Digital audio player
Retail availability	2001-2014
Discontinued	September 9, 2014[1]
Media	5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 120 or 160 GB hard drive
Operating system	1.5 (1G, 2G) 2.3 (3G) 3.1.1 (4G) 1.2.1 (4G Color) 1.3 (5G) 1.1.2 (6G) 2.0.5 (6G 2009)
Display	1G-4G: 160 x 128 px, 2 in (51 mm), monochrome LCD Color: 220 x 176 px, 2 in (51 mm), color LCD 5G-6G: 320 x 240 px, 2.5 in (64 mm), color LCD
Input	1G: Scroll wheel 2G-3G: Touch wheel 4G-6G: Click wheel
Connectivity	1G-4G: FireWire 3G-6G: USB 2.0
Power	1G-2G: Lithium polymer battery 3G-6G: Lithium-ion battery
Related articles	iPod Shuffle iPod Nano iPod Touch iPhone
Website	Official website (archived)

The iPod Classic (stylized and marketed as iPod classic and formerly just iPod) is a portable media player created and formerly marketed by Apple Inc. The final generation had the largest storage size of any mobile Apple device, with 160 GB of storage.

There were six generations of the iPod classic, as well as a spin-off (the iPod Photo) that was later re-integrated into the main iPod line. All generations used a 1.8-inch (46 mm) hard drive for storage. The "classic" suffix was formally introduced with the rollout of the sixth-generation iPod on September 5, 2007.^[2] Prior to this, all iPod Classic models were simply referred to as iPods.^[3] It was available in silver or black replacing the "signature iPod white".

On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the iPod Classic.^[1][4] The sixth generation 160GB iPod Classic was the last Apple product in the iPod line to use the original 30-pin iPod connector and the Click Wheel.^[5][6]

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, though the circuitry contains multiple momentary button switches. 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 helix
• 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 MB or 512 KB) contains a bootloader program that tells the device to load its OS from the storage medium. Each iPod also has 32 MB of RAM, although the 60 and 80 GB fifth generation, and the sixth generation models have 64 MB. 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. Custom firmware has also been developed such as Rockbox (up to 6G - 6G requires emCORE) and iPodLinux (up to 5G) which offer open-source alternatives to the standard firmware and operating system.

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.^[7] 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. However, as of September 30, 2011, these games are no longer available on the iTunes Store.^[8]

History

1st generation

iPod (1st gen), 2001.

Apple introduced the first generation iPod (M8541) 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 US$399. 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 four auxiliary buttons around the wheel. The iPod had a rated battery life of ten hours.

On March 20, 2002, Apple introduced 10 and 20 GB models of the first generation iPod for US$499. VCard compatibility was added, as well as allowing iPods to display business card information synced from a Mac.

2nd generation

iPod (2nd gen), 2002.

The second generation of the 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 US$399 and 20 GB for US$499. The first generation 5 GB iPod was carried over, but its price was reduced to US$299.

Notably, the second-generation iPods and the updated first-generation iPod were now Windows-compatible. These versions came with a 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter and were bundled with Musicmatch Jukebox. At that time iTunes was Mac only and unavailable for Windows.

In December 2002, Apple unveiled its first limited edition iPods, with either Madonna’s, Tony Hawk’s, or Beck’s signature or No Doubt's band logo engraved on the back for an extra US$50.^[9]

3rd generation

iPod (3rd gen), 2003.

On April 29, 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 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 iPods had an auxiliary ring around the headphone port for the remote, the third generation iPods had a 4-pin jack adjacent to the headphone port. A 10 GB model was sold for US$299, a 15 GB model for US $399, and a 30 GB model for US $499. All iPods were now compatible with Mac and Windows out of the box, was simply requiring Windows users to reformat the iPod before use on a PC and both iTunes and MUSICMATCH Jukebox 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 Jukebox software was made obsolete and replaced by iTunes 4.1, the first version available for Microsoft Windows.

4th generation

iPod (4th gen) 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 US$299 and the 40 GB model for US$399. 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 40 GB iPod only came with a dock, 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 iPod 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 20 GB and the signatures of all four members of U2, the special edition iPod was priced at US$349 and also included a US$50 coupon for a US$149 collection of U2's entire back catalog. U2 iPod customers also received 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes® Music Store.

A Special Harry Potter Edition was announced on September 7, 2005. It was released in conjunction with the Harry Potter Audiobooks in iTunes.^[10] It had a Hogwarts logo engraved on the back, and all 6 Harry Potter Audiobooks which were available at the time preloaded.

iPod Photo

On October 26, 2004, in addition to the U2 edition, Apple also unveiled the iPod Photo. Positioned as a premium version of the standard fourth-generation iPod, the iPod Photo featured a 220x176 pixel LCD capable of displaying up to 65,536 colors.^[11] The device supported JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG graphic file formats, and could be attached to a television or other external display for slideshows, thanks to a bundled TV cable.^[12] Using iTunes 4.7, users could sync photos from a folder, from Apple's iPhoto on the Macintosh, Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Photoshop Elements 3.0 on Windows.^[12] Battery life was rated 15 hours for music playback and 5 hours for slideshows with music. The iPod Photo was available in a 40 GB version for US$499 and a 60 GB version for US$599.

On February 23, 2005, both 40 GB models (photo and regular) were replaced with a slimmer and lower-priced (US$349) 30 GB photo model leaving only a 20 GB black-and-white iPod left. The price for the 60 GB model was dropped to US$449 with fewer bundled accessories, making the dock, FireWire cable, and television cable extra-cost options. On the same day, Apple announced the iPod Camera Connector which allowed instant transfer of images from a USB-compatible digital camera to the iPod Photo.^[13] The main difference between this and Belkin's Digital Camera Link was that Apple's unit supported instant image viewing on the iPod Photo after transfer without having to connect the iPod Photo to a computer first.

iPod with color display

On June 28, 2005, just nine months after its introduction, the iPod Photo was merged with the rest of the iPod line.^[14] 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 US$399.

5th generation

iPod (5th gen), 2005.

iPod (6th gen) (left) & iPod (5th gen) (right): showing the updated view feature

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" 320x240 QVGA screen and a smaller Click Wheel. It was the first iPod to be able to play videos.

The fifth generation iPod 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 US$299 and a 60 GB model was offered for US$399. The fifth generation iPod was also offered in the U2 special edition for US$349 with 30 GB. The fifth generation iPod was the last model to have a plastic face.

The fifth generation iPod plays video in MP4 (up to 2.5 Mbit/s) and H.264 (up to 768 kbit/s,^[15] baseline profile only) formats. The fifth generation enhance iPod and or 1st revision plays video in MP4 (up to 2.5 Mbit/s) and H.264 (up to 1.5 Mbit/s,^[16] 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, although 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 fifth generation iPod was updated on September 12, 2006, colloquially referred to as "5.5th generation". This update included a brighter screen, longer video playback time, newly designed earphones and a search feature. An iTunes installation CD was also no longer bundled, requiring users to download iTunes from Apple's website. The 60 GB model was replaced with an 80 GB model, and prices were cut by US$50 for both the 30 GB (US$249) and the 80 GB (US$349) models. Gapless playback and support for iPod games was enabled on all fifth generation iPods through a firmware update released at the same time.

6th generation

iPod (6th gen), 2007.

iPod classic 6th generation with Rockbox firmware

During a special iPod-centric event on September 5, 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the sixth generation iPod and the suffix "classic". Featuring slightly thinner bodies, the sixth generation iPod also had dramatically improved battery life, claiming up to 36 hours of music playback and 6 hours of video playback.^[17] The iPod Classic has a 2.5" backlit display at a resolution of 320x240. The front plate of the iPod is now made of anodized aluminium instead of polycarbonate plastic, and "Signature iPod White" has been replaced by silver. This marks the first time white is not available as a color option for an iPod. The sixth generation iPod also introduced a completely overhauled user interface, incorporating more graphics and Cover Flow. The iPod Classic was offered in an 80 GB model for MSRP US$249 and a 160 GB model for MSRP US$349.

Revisions

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 US$249. It introduced Genius and audio recording capabilities which are also available in other iPod models released at similar times; no firmware update provides either feature to the first generation iPods.^[18] Also, the black model's faceplate was replaced with a gray colored faceplate, while retaining the silver backing and the black Click Wheel.

Prior to the 'It's Only Rock and Roll' event on September 9, 2009, the price of the 120 GB version was dropped to US$229. During the event, Apple replaced the 120 GB version with an 160 GB model, featuring the same slim profile which retailed at US$249.

Discontinuation

According to speculation by Wired, the 6th generation was, as of 2014, expected to be the final form of the iPod Classic that helped Apple achieve its success in the 2000s.^[19] Ars Technica speculated in 2011 that the iPod Classic was nearing its end,^[20] and the site’s readers generally agreed it would not still be produced in 2013.^[5] The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013 revealed no new iPod Classic and Apple was not expected to produce another one. Production of the iPod Classic continued in low volumes as a stop-gap measure to clear out and monetize inventory of unused stand-alone parts.

On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the iPod Classic.^[1] The sixth generation 160GB iPod Classic was the last Apple product in the iPod line to use the original 30-pin iPod connector and the Click Wheel.^[5][6] According to Tim Cook speaking at WSJD Live, the iPod Classic was discontinued because the parts were unavailable and a redesign was unwarranted given the small amount of consumer interest in the product.^[21]

However, three months after its discontinuation, the sixth generation iPod Classic has seen its price increase by up to four times its original retail price on eBay due to increased demand by music fans.^[22][23]

Models

Generation	Image	Capacity	Colors	Connection	Release date	Minimum OS to sync	Rated battery life (hours)
1st		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.
1st (1st revision)		5 GB	White	FireWire	July 17, 2002	Mac: 9.2.2, 10.1.4 Win: 2000	audio: 10
			White (Limited Edition Madonna) White (Limited Edition Tony Hawk) White (Limited Edition No Doubt) White (Limited Edition Beck)		December 11, 2002
		Mechanical scroll wheel. Windows-compatible model available. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch.
2nd		10 GB	White	FireWire	July 17, 2002	Mac: 9.2.2, 10.1.4 Win: 2000	audio: 10
			White (Limited Edition Madonna) White (Limited Edition Tony Hawk) White (Limited Edition No Doubt) White (Limited Edition Beck)		December 11, 2002
		20 GB	White		July 17, 2002
			White (Limited Edition Madonna) White (Limited Edition Tony Hawk) White (Limited Edition No Doubt) White (Limited Edition Beck)		December 11, 2002
		Touch-sensitive wheel. FireWire port had a cover. Hold switch revised. Windows-compatible models available. Windows compatibility through Musicmatch.
3rd		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.
3rd (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
3rd (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
4th		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.
4th / 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.
4th / 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.
4th (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 lineup.
5th		30 GB	White Black White (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, and larger screen with video playback. Offered in black or white.
5th (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 as well as a very slight change in software giving the user the "search" ability.
6th (classic)		80 GB	Silver Black (black front plate and black wheel)	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" suffix. New interface and anodized aluminum front plate. Silver replaces white.
6th (classic) (1st revision)		120 GB	Silver Black (gray front plate and black wheel)	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. Can use mic and remote controller through 3.5mm audio jack. Front plate color changed (Black to Gray).
6th (classic) (2nd revision)		160 GB	Silver Black (gray front plate and black wheel)	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. Added Genius Mixes (after Software Update).

Timeline of full-size iPod models

Sources: Apple press release library,^[24] Mactracker Apple Inc. model database^[25]

References

1. Kastrenakes, Jacob (September 9, 2014). "iPod classic comes to an end: a look back at Apple's iconic music player". The Verge. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
2. Apple Computer, Inc. (March 26, 1999). "Apple – QuickTime – September 2007 Keynote Address". Events.apple.com.edgesuite.net. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
3. "Apple Support Article – Identifying iPod Models". Support.apple.com. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
4. "iPod Classic retired: Fans mourn as Apple quietly kills off its most iconic gadget". The Independent. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
5. Johnston, Casey (September 9, 2014). "iPod classic is dead, and the 30-pin connector along with it". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
6. "RIP iPod Classic, we’ll miss you and your iconic click wheel". Digital Trends. September 9, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
7. "Apple Introduces 10 GB iPod—2,000 Songs in Your Pocket". Apple Inc. March 20, 2002. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
8. "Apple removes click-wheel games from iTunes as iPod classic lives its last days". AppleInsider. September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
9. Dalrymple, Jim. Limited Edition Madonna, Tony Hawk, Beck iPods. Macworld, September 10, 2002. Retrieved on January 7, 2007.
10. Harry Potter Digital Audiobooks Debut Exclusively on iTunes Music Store Apple.com
11. Ina Fried; John Borland (October 27, 2004). "Apple unveils color iPod, U2 edition". CNET News.com. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
12. "Apple Introduces iPod Photo" (Press release). Apple Inc. October 26, 2004. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
13. "Apple Updates iPod Photo Lineup" (Press release). Apple Inc. February 23, 2005. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
14. "Apple Merges iPod & iPod photo Lines" (Press release). Apple, Inc. June 28, 2005. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
15. "Fifth Generation iPod (iPod with video) 30 GB, 60 GB - Technical Specifications". Apple Support. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
16. "Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) - Technical Specifications". Apple Support. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
17. "Apple – iPod classic – Read the iPod classic technical specifications". Apple.com. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
18. "Apple iPod classic review". CNet.com.
19. Bonnington, Christina (September 6, 2013). "Say Goodbye to the iPod Classic". Wired. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
20. Cheng, Jacqui. "Why Apple is ready to kill off the iPod Classic". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
21. Santus, Rex (October 28, 2014). "Tim Cook reveals why Apple axed the iPod classic". Mashable. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
22. "Music fans pay up to four times original price for discontinued iPod Classic". Daily Mail. December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
23. "iPod Classic which is three years old is Apple's hottest item this Christmas". Daily Mail. December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
24. Apple Inc., Apple press release library, Retrieved September 17 July 2015.
25. Mactracker (mactracker.ca), Apple Inc. model database, version as of 17 July 2015.

External links

Media related to iPod classic at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website