Apple released the first commercially successful portable digital music player, the iPod, in 2001.
Apple announced the original iPod on October 23, 2001. It contained a 5 GB hard drive, worked with Apple’s iTunes software, and used a mechanical scroll wheel for navigation. Its slogan described the device as putting “1,000 songs in your pocket.”
The iPod was not the first portable digital audio player ever made. Earlier products, such as the MPMan and Diamond Rio, had already appeared. The iPod’s importance came from combining compact hardware, simple software, and a growing digital music ecosystem.
The product line expanded into models including the iPod mini, nano, shuffle, and touch. The iPod touch later used a touchscreen and iOS-like software, making it distinct from the original click-wheel players.