iPod shuffle (original, 1 GB, 2005)

The iPod shuffle was introduced on January 11, 2005, as the “First iPod Under $100” (the 512 MB version sold for $99 and this 1 GB version sold for $149). Apple described the device in a press release as a “breakthrough digital music player based on iPod’s legendary shuffle feature which lets users experience their music in a million different ways. Smaller and lighter than a pack of gum, iPod shuffle comes with its own lanyard so it’s ready to wear right out of the box.”

The original iPod shuffle featured 512 MB or 1 GB of flash memory in a 3.3 x 0.98 x 0.33-inch case with an integrated USB connector. Like all iPod shuffle models that would come after it, it lacked a display. The name “shuffle” refers to its ability to shuffle—play in a random order—among the 120 or 240 songs it is capable of storing.

Like other iPod models, the iPod shuffle could be used to store files other than music files, a feature that worked particularly well on this device with its integrated USB plug.

The original iPod shuffle shipped with a white lanyard, a cap, and earbuds.

Source: EveryMac, Apple

iPod nano Generation 6 (pink, 2010)

The iPod nano Generation 6 was a major design change from previous iPod nano models. This iPod nano came in silver, graphite, blue, green, orange, pink, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Its design was a square aluminum and glass case with a clip on the back. It used a 1.54-inch Multitouch screen at 240×240 pixels.

Although its interface looked similar to iOS, the iPod nano Generation 6 could not run iOS applications or games compatible with previous iPod models. Its features included a pedometer, FM radio with live pause, Nike+iPod functions, VoiceOver, and Shake to Shuffle.

This example is pink and is in used condition with a few nicks and worn areas on the case.

Source: EveryMac

iPod Universal Dock (2005)

Apple released this first version of the Universal Dock on October 12, 2005, along with the iPod Generation 5 that could display Photos and Video. In a press release, Apple described the Universal Dock as an “optional accessory” for the iPod:

“Optional accessories designed for the new iPod include: Universal Dock for $39 (US), giving users easy access to a USB port for syncing, IR support to work with the Apple Remote and a variable line out and S-video connections for integration within the living room.”

The 2005 iPod Universal Dock included the S-Video port and an infrared sensor for an Apple Remote (sold separately). Unlike earlier iPod Docks designed for specific models, the Universal Dock used Dock Adapters to support a wider range of iPod models with 30-pin dock connectors.

This iPod Universal Dock included adapters for 5 iPod designs sold at the time. Each adapter was numbered and matched to particular iPod devices:

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

This iPod Universal Dock could also accept other adapters listed on the packaging. Other supported iPod devices included:

  • iPod (10GB, 15GB, 20GB)
  • iPod (30GB, 40GB)
  • iPod nano (2GB, 4GB)
  • iPod with color display (30GB)
  • iPod with color display (60GB)

An updated iPod Universal Dock was released in 2007 (it included a white Apple Remote, but omitted S-Video), and a 2010 version included new Dock adapters and the updated aluminum Apple Remote. This product line was eventually replaced by the iPhone Lightning Dock when Apple switched from the 30-pin connector to the Lightning port for charging and sound output.

Sources: Apple newsroom, Apple Wiki

Apple World Travel Adapter Kit (2011)

Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit is a collection of plugs to replace the North American “duck head”-style plug to allow the use Apple’s various power adapters in power outlets in other countries, including: North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.

Apple notes that: “The kit is designed to work with iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac notebooks. It is compatible with Apple USB-C Power Adapters, MagSafe, MagSafe 2, and MagSafe 3 Power Adapters, 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters, and Portable Power Adapters.”

The kit works with a wide variety of Apple products, including, “iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac notebooks. It is compatible with Apple USB-C Power Adapters, MagSafe, MagSafe 2, and MagSafe 3 Power Adapters, 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters, and Portable Power Adapters.” The plugs are laser-etched with the regions in which they are designed to be used.

Apple’s product code for this boxed collection is MB974ZM/B.

Source: Apple

iPod shuffle Generation 4 (2 GB, pink, 2010)

The iPod shuffle Generation 4 is a rare example of Apple reversing a design theme and going back to a design closer to a previous design, while still improving upon it. The iPod shuffle Generation 4 has a design similar to the Generation 2 iPod shuffle, but it is smaller and adds a “VoiceOver” feature that reads the name of songs, artists, and playlists out loud.

Between the Generation 2 and 4, the Generation 3 iPod shuffle had no controls on the iPod device, the Generation 4 added the clickable ring buttons back to the iPod.

This iPod shuffle is 1.14 inches tall, 1.24 inches wide, and 0.34 inch deep, including the clip. It weighs 0.44 ounce (12.5 grams). According to Apple, this iPod could play up to 15 hours of audio. Unlike the iPod shuffle Generation 2 that shipped with a custom USB-powered charging base, this Generation 4 shipped with a short USB-to-3.5mm cable.

The iPod shuffle Generation 4 was available in five colors: silver (with a black button ring); and blue, green, orange, and pink (with a white button ring). All models have 2 GB of storage, or up to 500 songs. This example is pink and includes the original packaging.

Sources: Apple, EveryMac

iPod (Generation 5, 60GB, 2006)

The iPod Generation 5, also known as iPod with video, was the first iPod model capable of displaying video. This device’s part number is MA003LL/A, and its model number is A1136. Apple describes this iPod:

“The iPod (5th generation) is a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. It uses USB for syncing.”

According to EveryMac:

“It uses a 30 GB or 60 GB 4200 RPM ATA-66 hard drive, capable of supporting up to 7,500 songs or up to 15,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format. Additionally, Apple reports that the 30 and 60 GB drives, respectively, can hold over 1000 or 2000 4-minute videos in H.264…”

Apple described the color of this iPod as “iBook white” (after its laptop sold at the same time), or “jet black” for the U2 version of this iPod. All iPod Generation 5 models had a chrome stainless steel back. The 30GB model of the Generation 5 iPod was 31% thinner than the 30GB Generation 4, and the 60GB model of the Generation 5 iPod was 12% thinner than the 60GB Generation 4.

This iPod had a 2.5-inch (diagonal) QVGA transflective color LCD display (at 320×240) capable of displaying over 260,000 colors. The backlight was both larger and higher-resolution than earlier iPod models.

EveryMac reported that:

“The iPod 5G can immediately display many types of photos transferred directly from a digital camera using the iPod Camera Connector (US$29), and can display photo slide shows on the internal display or a television using the included AV cable (S-video, data and audio output, and a variable line output port are provided by the optional Universal Dock (US$39) that also provides support for the Apple Remote (US$29). Unlike earlier iPod models, it also supports video playback on the internal display or on a television (at a maximum resolution of 480×480).”

Source: Apple (Identify Your iPod), EveryMac

iPod photo AV cable (2004)

The iPod photo AV cable (product number M9765G/A) was released in 2004, and at the time it was “Compatible with iPod photo.” According to Apple, this cable had the following features:

  • Provides composite A/V output for viewing photo slideshows with music on a TV
  • Connects your iPod to your TV, stereo, or powered speakers
  • Connects via the headphone port on your iPod or line-out port on your iPod Universal Dock (not included)

In 2005 Apple repackaged this product in a black box under the name “iPod AV Cable” using the same part number. The updated box read, “Compatible with all iPod models with color display.”

Sources: Apple (Identify your iPod model), Best Buy

Powered Speaker with Apple Distinguished Educator logo (orange, c. 2011)

This unique item appears to be a bright orange zippered accessory case with a silver carabiner attached, but when opened it reveals a battery-powered portable speaker and a pocket for a music-playing device such as an iPod or iPhone.

The speaker is powered by 2 AAA batteries and has an ON/OFF switch. A wire with a standard stereo headphone plug extends from the speaker to connect to a device.

The case is bright orange and is printed with the Apple Distinguished Educator logo in white in the Apple Myriad font. Apple Myriad was Apple’s corporate font used approximately between 2003–2017.

Apple describes Apple Distinguished Educators as “the educators who are looking to change the world. They are active leaders from around the world helping other educators rethink what’s possible with iPad and Mac to make learning deeply personal for every student.”

I became an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) in 2007. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the event where these speakers were offered, but an ADE friend of mine gave me this speaker for my collection.

Source: Apple (ADE), Wikipedia

iPod nano (Generation 4, 8GB, purple, 2008)

Replacing the “squat” design of the Generation 3, the iPod nano Generation 4 (model A1285) returned to a “skinny” design similar to its predecessors. The new wraparound curved aluminum and glass case was offered in an unprecedented nine colors: silver, black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. The display was a wide-format 2-inch (diagonal) color LCD display at 320×240.

The iPod nano Generation 4 used Click Wheel navigation and had either 8 GB or 16 GB of flash memory, capable of storing 2000 or 4000 songs, 7000 or 14,000 photos, and 8 hours or 16 hours of video.

Apple indicated that “You can distinguish the iPod nano (4th generation) from previous iPod nano models by:”

  • Its taller screen
  • Its curved surface
  • Its oval shape when seen from the top or bottom
  • The inclusion of an accelerometer that is used by the Shake feature.”

The iPod nano Generation 4 included an accelerometer (automatically switched to “Cover Flow” navigation in landscape orientation), games and videos only played in landscape, a new Genius feature to dynamically create playlists, and shake-to-shuffle for songs. Accessibility options were added including larger text and spoken menu items. It also included Nike+iPod support, FM radio tagging (using the Apple Radio Remote), support for audio crossfade, and games including Maze, Klondike, and Vortex.

Source: Apple (Identify Your iPod), EveryMac

iPod nano (Generation 4, 8GB, (PRODUCT)RED, 2008)

Replacing the “squat” design of the Generation 3, the iPod nano Generation 4 (model A1285) returned to a “skinny” design similar to its predecessors. The new wraparound curved aluminum and glass case was offered in an unprecedented nine colors: silver, black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. The display was a wide-format 2-inch (diagonal) color LCD display at 320×240.

The iPod nano Generation 4 used Click Wheel navigation and had either 8 GB or 16 GB of flash memory, capable of storing 2000 or 4000 songs, 7000 or 14,000 photos, and 8 hours or 16 hours of video.

Apple indicated that “You can distinguish the iPod nano (4th generation) from previous iPod nano models by:”

  • Its taller screen
  • Its curved surface
  • Its oval shape when seen from the top or bottom
  • The inclusion of an accelerometer that is used by the Shake feature

The iPod nano Generation 4 included an accelerometer (automatically switched to “Cover Flow” navigation in landscape orientation), games and videos only played in landscape, a new Genius feature to dynamically create playlists, and shake-to-shuffle for songs. Accessibility options were added including larger text and spoken menu items. It also included Nike+iPod support, FM radio tagging (using the Apple Radio Remote), support for audio crossfade, and games including Maze, Klondike, and Vortex.

Source: Apple (Identify Your iPod), EveryMac