NY Times Chronicles History Of Apple's iPod, Including Steve Jobs Swipe At Michael Dell (Updated)

by , 3:15 PM EST, December 1st, 2003

The New York Times has published an in-depth article on Apple's iconic iPod, just in time for the device's second birthday. The article delves into the history and development of the popular MP3 player, and attempts to de-mystify the design sensibilities and internal workings of the sleek little device. From the article:

Two years ago this month, Apple Computer released a small, sleek-looking device it called the iPod. A digital music player, it weighed just 6.5 ounces and held about 1,000 songs.

[...]

Of course, as anyone who knows the basic outline of Apple's history is aware, there is no guarantee that today's innovation leader will not be copycatted and undersold into tomorrow's niche player. Apple's recent and highly publicized move to make the iPod and its related software, iTunes, available to users of Windows-based computers is widely seen as a sign that the company is trying to avoid that fate this time around. But it may happen anyway. The history of innovation is the history of innovation being imitated, iterated and often overtaken.

[...]

So you can say that the iPod is innovative, but it's harder to nail down whether the key is what's inside it, the external appearance or even the way these work together. One approach is to peel your way through the thing, layer by layer.

As pointed out by TMO forum member Jabberwocky, the end of the article (page 6 of 6) also includes a great quote from Steve Jobs, and some personal observations from the reporter:

Actually, Jobs seemed a little annoyed. Looking back at my notes, I found it remarkable how many of his answers begin with some variation of "No," as if my questions were out of sync with what he wanted to say. (Before I could finish a question about the significance of Apple's pitching a product to Windows users, for instance, he corrected me: "We're not pitching the Windows user. We're pitching the music lover.") After half an hour of this, my inquiries really did start to fall apart, so I didn't expect much when I resorted to asking, in so many words, whether he thinks consciously about innovation.

"No," he said, peevishly. "We consciously think about making great products. We don't think, 'Let's be innovative!'" He waved his hands for effect. "'Let's take a class! Here are the five rules of innovation, let's put them up all over the company!"'

Well, I said defensively, there are people who do just that.

"Of course they do." I felt his annoyance shift elsewhere. "And it's like . . . somebody who's not cool trying to be cool. It's painful to watch. You know what I mean?" He looked at me for a while, and I started to think he was trying to tell me something. Then he said, "It's like . . . watching Michael Dell try to dance." The P.R. minder guffawed. "Painful," Jobs summarized.

You can read the full article at The New York Times Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

For those of you who haven't yet experienced the iPod in all its glory, this article is for you. The article really, really gives a complete view of the iPod and the fervour surrounding it. Maybe this little MP3 player is the bridge that will connect Apple and it's products to the rest of the world.

As for the great quote from Steve Jobs about watching Michael Dell dance, we get quite the kick out of it. Yes, it's an ad hominem attack, but these two have been going at each other for years. If billionaires want to have a public spat, we won't feel guilty about how much we enjoy watching it. Look for Mr. Dell to respond with something (once again) about how irrelevant Apple is.

The New York Times