It's the end of an era for the iPod, but that's not where it all ends. Apple finally discontinued the iPod just last week. However, the pod will continue to live on.
The pod, also known as podcasts, will resume on the iPod. Although the iPod isn't the original formal where podcasts became a success, during the time that they were released to the world, it was only the iPod where users can access their podcasts.
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: The new iPod Touch is displayed during an Apple special event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on September 12, 2012 in San Francisco, California.
The Word "Podcast"
'Podcast' is derived from a combination of iPod and Broadcast. It was Ben Hammersley who suggested the word in 2004, "Bit what to call it? Audioblogging? Podcasting? GuerillaMedia?," he said to The Guardian.
The same year, Dannie Gregoire, a digital audio pioneer, named one software program the "podcast" and registered domain names with the term podcast. Format MTV VJ and one of the first podcast hosts, Adam Curry, was the first one who helped Gregoire make the term popular.
Gregoire wasn't aware that Hammersley already "coined" the name, "It's an obvious word to come up with, given the technology," he said.
Also Read: Apple Dominates US Teen Tech Marker! Here's Why Young Users Prefer iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch
The Battle for What to Call It
Over the years, many have attempted to change the name of podcasting. Some people think that the term implies that you need to have an iPod to be able to access podcasts. However, this isn't true. Any device that can play an MP3 file can listen to a podcast.
Some people didn't agree with the word "podcast." In fact, Leo Laporte fought for years to rebrand podcasting to "netcasting." He believes that the term podcast is similar to Apple and that it could get tied down with the brand.
However, according to Time, even though it may sound like it, eventually, Apple just became a part of the podcasting ecosystem. In fact, Apple is not even the one that dominates the spot for podcasts, rather, it is Spotify. Spotify is currently the most-used platform for podcasts.
It Finally Caught On
The word podcast caught on, despite the trademark infringement. Apple pushed through and created a podcast directory on iTunes in 2005. It was in the same year that George W. Bush released his presidential radio that was in podcast form.
How the iPod Changed the World
The iPod has a significant impact on how we listen to and view music, especially on the go. It made CD players become "unacceptable" and even pushed other brands to reevaluate their products and release similar iPods.
With the iPod, everybody can just load their music libraries within minutes. Moreover, it can fit easily in pockets.
The iPod also decreased piracy as its music can only be acquired through iTunes. People need to buy music through their computers, connect their iPods, sync, and that's it. Although some people still found a way to put pirated music on the iPod, users who are not comfortable stealing other people's art are left with a choice with iTunes.
Over the years, the iPod evolved with the times that the release of the Touch models made it similar to smartphones, only without the cellular capabilities. Indeed, it was an inspiration product that shows a phone can be smaller and smarter and led us to reach our current stage today.
Related Article: The History of Apple from iPod to iPhone
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Written by April Fowell
