14 DAY TRIAL // It's been less than six years since the iPod has first seen the nice light of the stores' shelves and, from the very first unit it sold, it has not stopped but rather accelerated the selling. Today, there are more than 100 million iPods sold throughout the world and their number is growing; the iPod, in any of its "flavors" that we might consider, has become a very popular thing, running fast past the first labels it has been given.
The iPod was at first a toy for eccentric people, then it became a gimmick for the spoiled children and so on; now nobody wonders anymore when seeing someone wearing the distinct, white earpieces.
Doing some easy math, it is revealed that since the day iPods first sold, about 50,000 were bought each day, on a daily average, of course. The funny thing is that 5 and a half years (the age of the iPod) mean roughly 2007 days... Is there some mystic thing around, is there any occult meaning for this commercial success? I sincerely doubt it, but I guess that the apocalypse-interpretation fans could easily find some dark meanings to this event... wouldn't they?
Apple have not concealed their happiness at all (after all, why would they?) and yesterday's (April 9th) press release was full of nice words, even coming from music stars. Now, I am not an iPod fan (neither do I hate it, nevertheless) but I really don't see Apple's iPod like anything else than a huge commercial success. Steve Jobs' words meant nothing to me as he said that "iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music".
C'mon Stevie, I know you're very happy, but presenting the iPod like a "monumental helper of humanity" is rather far out! They look beautiful and the AAC files sound really nice inside them, that's true; but apart from this, they haven't brought in anything groundbreaking in the history of civilization. Of course I am subjective but please, anyone who can show me how the iPod made humankind any better will have his/her words posted next to mine in the next article.
Leaving the iPod fans merrily celebrate their success, here's the Apple press release:
"CUPERTINO, California-April 9, 2007-Apple? today announced that the 100 millionth iPod? has been sold, making the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. The first iPod was sold five and a half years ago, in November 2001, and since then Apple has introduced more than 10 new iPod models, including five generations of iPod, two generations of iPod mini, two generations of iPod nano and two generations of iPod shuffle. Along with iTunes? and the iTunes online music store, the iPod has transformed how tens of millions of music lovers acquire, manage and listen to their music".
"At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we're thrilled to be a part of that."
"It's hard to remember what I did before the iPod," said Mary J. Blige, GRAMMY Award-winning singer. "iPod is more than just a music player, it's an extension of your personality and a great way to take your favorite music with you everywhere you go."
"Without the iPod, the digital music age would have been defined by files and folders instead of songs and albums," said John Mayer, GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist. "Though the medium of music has changed, the iPod experience has kept the spirit of what it means to be a music lover alive."
The iPod has also sparked an unprecedented ecosystem of over 4,000 accessories made specifically for the iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems, and more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles currently offer iPod connectivity.
"I take my running shoes and my iPod with me everywhere," said Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion. "I listen to music when I run. Having my music with me is really motivating."
"Every iPod features seamless integration with iTunes 7. The iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) features the world's largest catalog with over five million songs, 350 television shows and over 400 movies. The iTunes Store has sold over 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and over 1.3 million movies, making it the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store".
"Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone."
