Apple on Monday announced that the 100 millionth iPod has been sold. Apple claims that the iPod is the fastest-selling music player in history.
“At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success. iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
The company sold its first iPod about five and a half years ago, in November 2001. Since then Apple has introduced more than 10 new iPod models, with five iPod generations, two generations of iPod mini, two generations of iPod nano and two generations of iPod shuffle. The company has increased capacity of hard disk-based iPods from 5GB to a maximum of 80GB and has downscaled the iPod to something smaller than a matchbook, that can be clipped to a lapel or jacket.
Apple’s success with the iPod has dovetailed with its worldwide distribution of iTunes, the music jukebox software that provides a way for people to organize and listen to their digital music, as well as buy and download music legally online. The iTunes Store sports more than five million songs at latest count, with 350 TV shows and more than 400 movies.
Apple notes that the iTunes Store has sold more than 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and more than 1.3 million movies since its inception, making it the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store.