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Technology & Internet • Consumer electronics

iPod

The iPod is a discontinued series of portable media players and mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple from 2001 to 2022.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The iPod is a discontinued series of portable media players and mobile devices designed and marketed by Apple from 2001 to 2022. It became one of the most successful consumer electronics products of the 2000s and helped popularize digital music players and the iTunes ecosystem.

History

Apple introduced the iPod in 2001, initially as a portable music player for Macintosh users. The line later gained Windows support and evolved through several generations and form factors before being discontinued in 2022.

Models

The iPod family included multiple distinct product lines, such as the iPod Classic, mini, shuffle, nano, and touch. These models varied in storage technology, controls, screen type, and features.

Cultural impact

The iPod helped reshape digital music consumption by making large music libraries portable and easy to manage. It is often credited with helping establish Apple as a major consumer electronics company beyond personal computers.

Discontinuation

Apple ended production of the iPod in 2022 after the iPhone had absorbed many of the functions once served by dedicated music players. The iPod touch was the last remaining model in the line.

Key facts

  • The iPod was first released in 2001 as a portable music player for Macintosh computers.
  • A Windows-compatible version followed in 2002, broadening the product’s market.
  • Apple’s iTunes Music Store, launched in 2003, became closely associated with the iPod ecosystem.
  • The product line expanded into multiple models, including the iPod mini, shuffle, nano, and touch.
  • Apple discontinued the iPod line in May 2022.
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Canadian context

The iPod was widely sold in Canada and helped shape how Canadian consumers bought and listened to digital music in the 2000s and 2010s.

Frequently asked questions

What was the iPod?
The iPod was Apple’s line of portable media players and mobile devices for music and other media.
When was the iPod first released?
The first iPod was released on November 10, 2001.
When did Apple discontinue the iPod?
Apple discontinued the iPod line on May 10, 2022.
What were the main iPod models?
Major models included the iPod Classic, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and iPod touch.
Why was the iPod important?
It became one of Apple’s most successful products and helped popularize portable digital music players and online music purchasing.
How many iPods did Apple sell?
Apple estimated sales of about 450 million iPod products by 2022.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod
    Supports: Release date, discontinuation date, product-line overview, estimated sales, and model list.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/technology/iPod
    Supports: Definition of the iPod, Apple as manufacturer, 2001 release, and Windows version in 2002.
  3. PCMag — https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/ipod
    Supports: General definition, model overview, and note that iPod touch was the final surviving model until 2022.
  4. National Museum of American History — https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1334905
    Supports: Early history, 2001 release, Windows support in 2002, iTunes Store in 2003, and market growth.
  5. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/music/ipod
    Supports: Overview of the iPod’s significance, model family, iTunes Store connection, and discontinuation in 2022.