Apple Universal Dock Adapters (2005)

Various versions of the Apple Universal Dock were offered as iPod devices were updated and new iPod models were released. Apple described an earlier version of the Dock in the iPod User’s Guide:

“The iPod Dock holds iPod upright as it charges or transfers music. Connect the Dock to your computer using the same cable you use with iPod… Using the iPod Dock, you can play music from iPod over external powered speakers or a home stereo. You need an audio cable with a standard 3.5 millimeter stereo miniplug…”

This version of the Universal Dock (A1153) used the 30-pin connector and provided two outputs—Line Out and S-Video Out. This allowed a docked iPod to be charging while connected to a stereo/speaker system and/or an external video source (i.e., TV) with an S-Video input.

Apple created the Universal Dock with an opening large enough to accommodate the largest iPod offered and shipped the dock with a set of adapters to ensure a perfect fit if you owned an iPod with a different design.

This set of adapters was made for:

  • iPod mini (4GB, 6GB)
  • iPod (20GB) and U2 Special Edition
  • iPod (40GB)
  • iPod with color display (20GB, 30GB) and U2 Special Edition
  • iPod with color display (40GB, 60GB)

Source: Apple

iPod mini (Generation 2, 4GB, blue, 2005)

When the original iPod mini was released in 2004, Apple described it as “the smallest portable music player ever to hold up to 1,000 CD-quality songs.” Originally, it was available in silver, gold, pink, blue, or green, but the second generation iPod mini from 2005 offered brighter versions of the pink, blue, and green and dropped the gold option. In addition, the Generation 2 models matched the printing on the ClickWheel to the color of the exterior case.

The iPod mini Generation 2 also increased battery life from 8 hours to an impressive 18 hours and was offered in 4GB and 8GB configurations. Both iPod mini models used the same size case: 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5 inches. The iPod mini Generation 2 weighed 3.6 ounces and used a 1.67-inch grayscale display. The iPod mini Generation 2 charged with an included USB 2.0 cable with a 30-pin connector.

This iPod mini is blue and has 4GB of storage. Please note that this particular device has been retrofitted with a flash memory storage upgrade and a new battery.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom), EveryMac

iPod “Take One” Apple Store brochure collection (2004)

iPod “Take One” store brochures (2004)—Each of these set of three 1-page brochures measures 4.375 x 6.5 inches and features an iPod (“Actual Size”) on the front with a bright pink, bright green, or bright blue background. The back features a photo of the back of the iPod photo with a description of features in an ink color that matches the front. The iPod image is perforated and can be punched out.

iPod mini “Take One” store brochure (2004)—This 1-page brochure measures 4.375 x 6.5 inches and features a pink iPod mini on a white background on the front with various features highlighted. The back has a quirky suggestion about naming playlists and a photo of the back of the iPod mini. The iPod mini image is perforated and can be punched out.

iPod mini magazine ad (2004)

This iPod mini magazine ad from 2004 includes two light blue pages and a set of four iPod mini devices in gold, pink, blue, and green—die-cut with a perforated edge. The iPod mini devices are actual size and look identical to the actual devices.

The back page of the ad features the silver iPod mini with the headline “Little. The next big thing.”

The ad measures 7.875 x 10.8125 inches, and the cut-out iPod mini devices measure 3.625 x 2 inches each.

EncycliPodia brochure (2005)

This iPod brochure from 2005 uses the unique, play-on-words title, “EncycliPodia,” a mash-up of the words “encyclopedia” and “iPod.” The cover is understated in light blue with a small Apple logo in the corner and the title in the Apple Myriad font.

The 2-page spreads at the beginning of the brochure feature iPod devices on a color background on the left page and text and diagrams on the facing right page on a white background. Many of the iPod photos specify that they are actual size.

After the iPod devices are outlined, the EncycliPodia presents 2-page spreads of accessories on a light blue background, including “In the Car Accessories,” “At Home Accessories,” “On the Go Accessories,” and “Apple Accessories.”

The back cover features a grid titled “Which iPod are you?” Among other information, each iPod model is identified by size—“About the size of:”
iPod shuffle: pack of gum
iPod mini: cell phone
iPod: deck of cards

The brochure measures 7 x 7 inches and has 10 pages.

The Apple Store Holiday 2004 catalog (2004)

I remember picking up this catalog at an Apple Store in 2004. It is large for a catalog at 11 x 17 inches and is printed on heavy matte paper. Each spread features “lifestyle” photos of people using then-current Apple products in everyday settings. Each product is then described in detail including features, uses, and available peripherals. Full-page “case studies” from regular people using the products in real life are also included.

The first product featured is iPod. The 2004 models included iPod with scroll wheel (with a monochrome display), iPod Photo (color display), and iPod mini (monochrome display and available in four colors).

The next spread highlights the iMac G5. These were Apple’s second flat-panel iMac models that were available with 17 or 20-inch “widescreen flat panel” displays. The iLife apps are mentioned here in holiday contexts.

Apple “notebooks” are shown next, including the white 12 and 14-inch iBook models and the 12, 15, and 17-inch PowerBook G4 models. The AirPort Express is mentioned as a solution for streaming music and wireless printing in the home.

The last 2-page spread includes “A day in the life of a Genius,” and highlights in-store workshops and presentations.

The back page shows a map of the United States and the locations of all Apple Stores worldwide. Six happy Apple customers are also featured with their Apple Store purchases across the US.

iPod mini (original, pink, 2004)

When the iPod mini was released, it was the smallest and lightest version of the iPod Apple had produced. It was made from aluminum and measured 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5 inches. The iPod mini used a 4 GB Hitachi or Seagate Microdrive hard drive that could store approximately 1,000 songs and play for up to 8 hours.

The iPod mini used the ClickWheel controller, the same as the iPod generation 3’s touch-sensitive scroll wheel. However, it moved the four control buttons to the wheel as mechanical switches, a design that would continue in future iPod models. It had a 138 x 110 pixel, 1.67-inch LCD grayscale screen with a backlight. It came in colors including silver, gold, green, blue, and pink. This example is pink.

This iPod mini includes the white belt clip that shipped with it. The iPod mini also included earbud headphones, an AC adapter, a FireWire cable, and a USB 2.0 cable. This iPod was compatible with a Macintosh computer with a FireWire port running a minimum of Mac OS X version 10.1.5, and it could also be used with a PC with a FireWire or USB 2.0 port running Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or Windows XP Home or Professional.

Sources: Everymac, Wikipedia

iPod nano Generation 2 (8 GB, black, 2006)

The iPod nano Generation 2 borrowed a design concept from the iPod mini and added several more available colors: the 2 GB model was available in silver; the 4 GB model in silver, green, blue, and pink; and the 8 GB model was available in black only. It was available with 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB of flash memory and stored 500, 1000, or 2000 songs.

Hardware enhancements from the original iPod nano included longer battery life of 24 hours, a brighter 1.5-inch display, and a search engine for loaded songs.

Source: EveryMac.com