Apple Introduces the iPod
My April Fools’ Day prank for 2023 imagined a world where Apple reintroduced the iconic iPod.
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create a little prank for April Fools' Day. My target: what if Apple brought back the iPod?
Last year's prank was the Magic Button, a standalone Touch ID sensor that could be used with any Mac, allowing a user the use their preferred keyboard while still retaining the convenience of Touch ID for logging in, authenticating, & Apple Pay. To my astonishment, the idea got wings and even led some soldering savants to take their Magic Keyboards apart and produce functional Magic Buttons.
For this April Fools', I wanted to fantasize, for a minute, about a world where Apple reintroduced the iPod. I may be in the minority, but I would love to see Apple release a standalone music player. Like a Kindle, Playdate, or Switch, there certainly appeal in devices that do one thing but do that one thing exceptionally well.
My quick Mockup used the 6th Generation iPod classic chassis, discontinued in 2014, in a gorgeous Starlight & Midnight anodized aluminum. The iconic Click Wheel remained unchanged, but if I had any hope of fooling anyone, I would need to update the UI.
The Home Screen on the iPod feature quick access to your favourite categories of media.
For the Home Screen, I opted for circle icons, a callback to the 7th Generation iPod nano icons. The status bar shows the time, whether the media is playing, if a Bluetooth device is connected (in this case, AirPods Max), WiFi, and battery status. Below the app icons would be a bar showing the current track, with the added detail that the background becomes a gradient based on the now-playing album artwork.
The Now Playing screen of the iPod.
The Now Playing screenshot shows the current album, the track's location, controls, and a back button. In this alternate reality, in addition to the click wheel, the screen is envisioned as a touchscreen display like any iOS device, so I kept the touch targets as large as possible, using the CarPlay UI as inspiration.
Finally, for the presser, I turned to none other than ChatGPT, which I clipped for the secondary header used in my screenshot. Here's the entire presser:
Introducing the New iPod with High-Fidelity Spatial Audio and Apple Music
Cupertino, California — Apple is excited to announce the release of the new iPod, featuring high-fidelity spatial audio and seamless integration with Apple Music. The new iPod delivers an unparalleled listening experience that is sure to delight music lovers and audiophiles alike.
The iPod has always been synonymous with music, and the new iPod takes that legacy to the next level. The high-fidelity spatial audio technology provides a stunning, immersive listening experience that makes you feel like you're right there in the studio with your favorite artists. Whether you're listening to a classic album or the latest chart-topping hit, you'll hear every detail with incredible clarity and depth.
The new iPod also features seamless integration with Apple Music, allowing you to access millions of songs and playlists with just a few taps. You can easily browse new releases, discover personalized recommendations, and create your own playlists, all from the convenience of your iPod. And with offline playback, you can take your music with you wherever you go, even when you're not connected to the internet.
‘Our customers love the iPod because it's the ultimate device for music lovers,’ said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. ‘With the new iPod, we're taking that experience to the next level by introducing high-fidelity spatial audio and seamless integration with Apple Music. We can't wait for our customers to experience the incredible sound quality and convenience of the new iPod.’
The new iPod is available in both Starlight & Midnight. It features a sleek, lightweight design that makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. And with up to 1TB of storage, you'll have plenty of room to store all your favorite songs, albums, and playlists.
The new iPod with high-fidelity spatial audio and Apple Music is available for preorder on apple.com and will be arriving in Apple Stores next week. It's the ultimate device for music lovers and audiophiles who demand the best in sound quality and convenience.”
Now, this mockup doesn't hold a candle to the one created by Parker Ortolani a few years back for 9to5Mac, but I hope it gave you just a moment of joy and wonder before you saw the date and all your dreams evaporated. If nothing else, at least those few seconds of serotonin were real—happy April Fools' Day. See you next year!
