Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
May 12, 2022
In 2009, US tech giant Apple brought in almost $43 billion in revenue. In the first quarter of that year, the iPod, a portable music-listening device, made up 30 per cent of the income. After the iMac, it was yet another sign of Apple's ability to create products that obsessed the world.
But the iPod was more than just a cash cow. It changed the way millions of listeners interacted with music.
Key to the company's success is its ongoing ability to create products that consumers can personalise. For music, the iPod did this to a revolutionary degree. High-end laptops and desktops, the beginning of Apple, were and still are great. But a portable jukebox, with far more songs on offer, was nothing short of a milestone for both tech and music, and one which massively empowered the customer.
Now, in a sign of the mercilessness of both industries, the company has announced that it will be discontinuing the product after more than two decades of production. Commercially it is an understandable decision. The value of the previous titan had been diminishing over time, and now it will only command premium prices as memorabilia, although with so many around that might take some time; the company produced a total of 450 million. In a final irony, it was the excellence of newer Apple products such as the iPhone that played a large role in making the iPod, a separate, expensive device, redundant.
The Apple iPod 1st generation was released October 23, 2001. It cost $399, and had 5GB storage holding 1,000 songs. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod 2nd generation was released July 17, 2002. It came with 10GB of storage for $399 and later a 20GB version was released for $499. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod 3rd generation was released April 28, 2003 and started making use of the iTunes store. It was the first to have an all-touch wheel to scroll. Prices ranged from $299 to $499 depending on storage size. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod mini 1st generation was released January 6, 2004. This was the first time the click wheel was used and the pod came in five different colours - blue, pink, silver, green, and gold. It sold for $249. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod 4th generation was released July 19, 2004. The function buttons were moved on to the wheel. A 20 GB model sold for $299, while a 40 GB model was available for $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod 4th generation with a colour screen was released October 26, 2004. Album covers could be seen for the first time and the shuffle function was introduced. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod U2 Edition was released at the same time as the 4th generation. It held up to 5,000 songs and featured a black enclosure with a red click wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures. It retailed at $349. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod shuffle 1st generation was released January 11, 2005. A first entry to the low-end market, it had no screen and just buttons to play / pause, next song or previous. The 512MB model sold for $99, while the 1GB model sold for $149. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod mini 2nd generation was released February 22, 2005. It had just minor changes from the first generation mini, and the 4GB version sold for $199, while the 6GB model sold for $249. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod 6th generation was released September 5, 2007. It came in a 160GB model for $349. Photo: Apple
The Apple Nano iPod 1st generation was released September 7, 2005. This was a super thin iPod at just 0.27in thick. It used flash memory for storage, and sold at $199 and $249 for 4BG and 6GB respectively. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod 5th generation was released October 12, 2005. This had a larger screen, smaller wheel and played video. In 2005, Apple also released the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Photo: Apple
The Apple Nano iPod 2nd generation was released September 12, 2006. More colour options were added, plus an 8GB version for $249. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod shuffle 2nd generation was released September 12, 2006. A small, clip-on size was introduced in a variety of colours. A dock replaced the integrated USB connector. With 1GB is was $79. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Nano 3rd generation was released September 5, 2007. A big change in shape to allow video display. The 4GB model was $149, while the 8GB model was $199. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod Touch 1st generation was released September 5, 2007. It was basically the iPhone without the camera and phone capabilities. An 8GB model sold for $299, and a 16 GB model sold for $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple Nano iPod 4th generation was released September 9, 2008. It was a return to the rectangular shape, while the "Genius" playlist option was introduced. It had bigger capacity, came in nine colours and was $149 and $199 for 8GB and 16GB respectively. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod Touch 2nd generation was released September 9, 2008. It featured the new iPhone 2.0 OS and a curved back. An 8GB model was $229, a 16GB model was $299, and a 32GB model was $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod shuffle 3rd generation was released March 11, 2009. A shape change saw it go back to rectangular. It included Apple's new VoiceOver feature, with song title, artist, and playlist title spoken aloud. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Nano 5th generation was released September 9, 2009. An integrated video camera, FM radio and pedometer were added. 8GB and 16 GB cost $149 and $179 respectively. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod Touch 3rd generation was released September 9, 2009. Faster and with greater capacity, it came in 32GB and 64GB for $299 and $399 respectively. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Nano 6th generation was released September 1, 2010. It was goodbye click wheel and hello touch screen. The camera was removed, while it was sold in seven colors, in capacities of 8 and 16 GB, for $149 and $179, respectively. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod shuffle 4th generation was released September 1, 2010. It shrunk in size again and was sold with 2GB of storage for $49, in five colours. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Touch 4th generation was released September 1, 2010. It brought in iPhone 4 enhancements such as retina display, front and rear cameras. 8GB was $229, 32GB was $299 and 64GB $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Nano 7th generation was released September 12, 2012. Another change in shape - back to tall and thin. It sold in eight colours, with 16GB of storage for $149. Photo: Getty Images
The Apple iPod Touch 5th generation was released September 12, 2012. A bigger 4in screen was added, plus Bluetooth 4.0 and the lightning connector. 32GB was $299 and 64GB $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Touch 6th generation was released July 15, 2015. The A8 processor found in the iPhone 6 was brought in, plus better cameras. 16 GB was sold for $199, 32 GB for $249, 64GB for $299 and 128GB for $399. Photo: Apple
The Apple iPod Touch 7th generation was released May 28, 2019. The quad-core A10 chip from the iPhone 7 was used, and Apple said it had a 40-hour battery life for music. It coincided with the launch of Apple Arcade games. 32, 128, and 256GB cost $199, $299 and $399 respectively. Photo: Apple
But as the years go on, iPod nostalgia will run deeper than the object itself. It formed something of a bridge between the days of CDs, when consumers parted with a lot more cash to get a physical product, and streaming, a development that is great for listeners, largely for the same reasons that it could be bad for musicians.
In recent years there have been a number of high-profile boycotts of such services, most notably Spotify, including a three-year one that ended in 2017 by Taylor Swift – she was one of their most popular musicians – over artist royalties. Nor did Apple escape her ire. In 2015, she prompted Apple Music to change its payment policy with an open letter saying she would withhold an album from the platform.
The predecessor of that service was iTunes, which, going hand in hand with the iPod, met its end in 2019. The service kick-started much of the debate around the danger of tech to artist incomes, especially given its vast market presence at the time. But however valid these criticisms might have been then, the situation is far more radical today. On iTunes, $9.99 would typically have bought you an album. On Spotify, the same amount gets you access for an entire month. In the days of iTunes, if you wanted to listen to a single song, you paid for it. On Spotify in 2021, 226 million non-premium listeners of the 406m total subscribers did not pay any fee at all.
With those numbers in mind, news of the iPod's demise might be sad and nostalgic, but it is not surprising.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre Power: 150hp Torque: 250Nm Price: From Dh139,000 On sale: Now
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The biog
Name: Capt Shadia Khasif
Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police
Family: Five sons and three daughters
The first female investigator in Hatta.
Role Model: Father
She believes that there is a solution to every problem
