First generation iPod

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod classic on October 23, 2001. The first iPod featured a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3 and was priced at US$399. Among the iPod’s innovations were its small size, achieved using a 1.8″ hard drive, whereas its competitors were using 2.5″ hard drives at the time, and its easy-to-use navigation, which was controlled using a mechanical scroll wheel, a center select button, and 4 auxiliary buttons around the wheel. The iPod had a rated battery life of 12 hours.

On March 20, 2002, Apple introduced a 10 GB model of the iPod classic for US$499. vCard compatibility was added, as well, allowing iPods to display business card information synced from a Mac.