Well, it has been 5 great years since Apple burst into the market with the first iPod. On October 23, 2001 Steve Jobs announced (watch the announcment) that the “iPod” - the size of a deck of cards - could store 1000 songs. 5 years later the iPod has evolved into three different but powerful creatures: The iPod, the iPod shuffle and the iPod nano.

And 5 years later it has still remained the number one digital music player on the market. There are many companies that have tried to replicate the iPod idea and come out with their own music players, but they have never really caught on with people in the way that the iPod has.

The iPod has become a symbol. Many people have owned an iPod because it’s an iPod. No other music player has ever become quite as popular. When the iPod shed some wieght with the iPod nano another stir was created - it was literally slim version of the iPod.

In my opinion there are very few digital music players out there on the market that have the same visual appeal and aesthetic qualites. Curves, slimness, compactablility - the iPod has it all.

The iPod led the way again when Apple released the new iPod capable of playing videos. That too followed a revolution of many other players trying to play catch up with the new version of the iPod.

Apple has made millions from sales of the iPod and sales on iTunes (Apple’s music service). So, for those in business a few important lessons can be taken: 1) Keep it simple 2) Be the first to the idea 3) Get it right the first time 4) Keep innovating and changing but don’t overdo it.

And number five could be “watch the money roll in”. In other 5 years will the Apple iPod remain #1?