Apple built a prototype to prevent leaks of the iPod design
offered Panic Group, a software development group for macOS and iOS, prototyped Apple’s original iPod in honor of the device’s 20th anniversary.
It’s hard to believe that the original iPod prototype from Apple was a device you couldn’t put in your pocket, as Panic’s Kapil Sasser has shared an exclusive look at a very early prototype of the iPod.
The rare prototype comes in yellow, which is rather large compared to the charging version of the original iPod, although it was from the late product development cycle.
Sasser says that this iPod prototype is dated September 3, 2001. That’s about two months before the actual iPod release date is October 23. The prototype runs the software for the iPod.
It also features a small scroll wheel in the upper left corner next to the screen. There are several touch buttons arranged vertically on the right side of the device.
It features the same ports as the original iPod, including FireWire and a standard headphone port. And the screen looks very small when compared to the rest of the yellowish heck. But comparable with the same iPod.
Panic has been keeping this iPod prototype for a long time, and they finally shared it with the world on the iPod’s 20th anniversary.
Sasser says the company has no idea where it got the prototype from. But this is a special part of Apple’s history, and we keep it.
The reveal came in honor of the 20th anniversary of the iPod
Tony Fadel, inventor of the iPod, tweeting More details about the prototype. This was called the P68/Dulcimer, Fadel says, and was specifically designed to hide the final design of the iPod from prying eyes.
It is noteworthy that the company’s mission to hide its design is the reason behind the huge space inside the device. Although the design of the internal parts is closer to the size of an official iPod. But the company decided that the prototype would be a way to hide its design secrets, inside and out.
However, the prototype of the original device is unique. It is a testament to the company’s dedication to keeping its design secret, which was especially important to the launch of its first iPod.
