Apple's new Ipod Nano

On October 23, 2001 Apple released the iPod. In many ways, it was not a first. Other manufacturers had produced portable hard drive music players, but none had the functionality of the Apple product. The iPod used a high speed firewire to transfer files to and from another computer. Using a tiny Toshiba 1.8" hard drive, the player was about a quarter the size of its rivals.

However it nearly didn't go under the Apple label. The product's creator, Tony Fadell, had approached Phillips and Real Networks with the idea before contacting Apple. Apple liked the product and agreed to produce and market it as soon as possible.

At about £250, it was far more expensive than its opposition and its lack of PC support didn't look so great. However after a few weeks, third party utilities entered the market which enabled iPod users to sync with their PCs. By the end of 2001 Apple sold around 125,000 iPods.

2002 brought several new models and a major price decrease. Things were going well - except in France where there was a temporary ban. Apple had to limit the output to 100dB.

June 2003 saw Apple produce its millionth iPod.They also replaced MusicMatch software for the PC with its own iTunes software allowing PC users to sync the songs with their iPod.

Various models came and went. Until a few weeks ago the iPod mini was the best selling product. So what did Apple do - stop its production and introduce two new iPods. The new player, known as iPod Nano is available in two sizes, namely the 2GB and the 4GB. They maintain most of the original features except there is no video output. Gone is the hard drive and in comes solid state memory. Weighing only 40 grams, the Nano is minute. In fact the device is so minute that there was no place for the headphone socket on the top. - this is now beside the docking plug. All in all another winner, I would suggest.