The iPod is iconic. Not solely did Apple’s MP3 participant rocket the corporate into the general public’s creativeness, it additionally outlined a complete business. You’ll be able to’t write the story of digital music with no fairly hefty chapter on the iPod.
But, as is at all times the case, the world strikes on. The iPod is not any extra. Whereas the ultimate mannequin, the iPod Contact, may need solely been discontinued in 2022, the basic click on wheel units reached their finish again in 2014. From Apple’s perspective, its MP3 participant is lengthy lifeless.
Regardless of this, there’s nonetheless a thriving neighborhood of iPod followers, from these nonetheless utilizing the unique units to folks calling for brand new variations of the basic music participant.
Amidst all this nostalgia, there’s a query not often requested: how effectively would an unmodified iPod function as an audio machine 2023? In our fashionable world of streaming and wi-fi headphones?
Nicely, I needed to discover out — so I spent two days residing prefer it was 2010.
Friday, 8:55am: Discovering the iPod… and its cable
First issues first, I needed to dig out an iPod. Fortunately, I had a dusty 160GB Basic sitting in a drawer. In a shock to nobody, the battery was lifeless — and that is the place I ran into my first drawback: the place the hell was its charging cable? The outdated 30-pin connector wire was nowhere to be discovered.
After 45-odd minutes of rifling by cabinets and containers, I ultimately discovered the cable beneath {a magazine} rack within the lounge. Really, tech strikes in mysterious methods.
The following step was connecting the iPod Basic to my laptop computer. The 30-pin connector I had used USB-A, so I wanted to dig out a USB-C adaptor to plug it into my 2021 MacBook Professional.
A couple of minutes of charging later and the iPod sprung to life. Success!
Friday, 10:17am: Connecting the iPod Basic to a pc
That is the place issues obtained trickier.
The final time I used an iPod Basic, iTunes was nonetheless round. Since the launch of macOS Catalina although, the library factor of this software program was changed by the Apple Music app, whereas administration of exterior units moved to Finder.
This hasn’t been a problem when connecting my iPhone, however I bumped right into a gamut of issues with the iPod Basic. It took an age for Finder to truly acknowledge the machine and it saved disconnecting — most probably all the way down to a dodgy cable.
As soon as I’d discovered the proper angle to maintain the iPod related, I encountered one other problem: macOS Ventura struggled to sync my iPod. It was caught on the loading display, by no means capable of truly switch the music throughout.
This, it seems, is a matter that tons of folks are experiencing. Following this information, I managed to get the iPod to sync. However as soon as, and solely as soon as.
Friday, 13:01pm: Placing music on the machine
As a result of I don’t have a lot else higher to do with my time, I nonetheless keep a full digital music library. That is primarily pushed by Bandcamp, downloads from vinyl purchases, and burning CDs. I managed to get a bit of this music throughout onto the iPod Basic.
I additionally wished to place some podcasts on the machine, however, as beforehand talked about, I solely managed to sync the MP3 participant as soon as. Contemplating I spend portion of my time swaddled by podcasts, this was disenchanted.
Anyway, what happends you don’t keep a digital music library? Nicely, I used to be shocked to find that each the iTunes Retailer and Amazon nonetheless promote downloadable singles and albums. I might’ve sworn these companies stopped.
This makes it extremely simple to purchase songs and switch them to an MP3 participant on macOS. Nicely, if you will get your iPod synced, that’s.
Friday, 16:42pm: Connecting a pair of headphones
Sure, it’s taken nearly a full work day to truly hearken to the iPod, however we’re getting achingly shut. Sadly, there’s one other hurdle: my headphones.
My present every day drivers are the AirPods Max, and whereas these are pleasant, they’re utterly wi-fi. And the iPod? Nicely, that’s a very wired machine.
Which means that — exterior of shopping for a Bluetooth adaptor — you may’t use the AirPods Max with an iPod. All isn’t misplaced although; I’ve a pair of the Sony WH-1000XM5 that also have a headphone jack.
Friday, 17:00pm: Admiring the iPod Basic
You realize what? Even all these years after its launch, the iPod Basic continues to be a pleasure to make use of. The clicking wheel is magnificent, the shape issue pleasant, and music sounds nice.
In spite of everything that stress, it’s good to sit back and luxuriate in some tunes. Though I’ll say one factor: utilizing Spotify on my iPhone would’ve obtained me right here manner faster.
That’s day one among this diary full, be sure you take a look at day two, as now the iPod is up-and-running, we are able to actually put it by its paces.
