“Well I was pretty much one of the first ones, the first iPods you see, 2003 it was. And back in my day the look was, well… 

…a lot more classic than all the colourful…touchy screen stuff now. 

I had an all white casing with buttons not yet embedded in the scroll dial, black and white display, backlight function which is still very practical, and I held 7, 500 songs. I was a quite a bit heavier back then but the photos came out great! 

But it was my debut that was quite extraordinary: In all the papers, online, the music industry was talking about it, golly EVERYONE was talking about it! It changed the way people consume music, forever. The year I was released, you see, Apple launched the iTunes library on the world with 200,000 songs sold at just 99c each. It totally changed the economy of music. We sold a million songs in the first week, and 2 million people around the world bought me that year!

iTunes practically handed music to the masses: people didn’t have to pay for albums, they began to curate just their favourite songs into unique Playlists at 99c a pop – it was the beginning of a great trend in individualization. The portability of 7,500 songs was just the beginning, more important was how the mundane aspects of life suddenly had their own soundtrack. You couldn’t ever have done that with a Walkman unless you could also carry a storage container for your CD collection, even then it couldn’t play songs between albums based on a single theme. My favourite playlist was Classics; as in Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bette Midler…even a little cheeky Tom Jones oh! 

But of course, digitizing the economy of music revolutionised that industry; the whole organisation of consuming music became about the database – the iTunes database. In the computer Age, the iTunes database became a treasure trove for people to easily search through and find their favourite individual songs. The database idea is carried through to the individual curated databases of each user – neatly contained within the searchable iTunes library interface customized for the collection and organisation of personal music libraries. It’s an affordance of new media that has consequently revolutionised, streamlined, fragmented and individualised music production and consumption – one of the oldest and traditional practices in the world.”

Ipod: Classic 2003 Persona

"When you see me for the first time, you won’t believe your eyes. I am the iPod touch. When you hold me in your hand – what’s when you get how unbelievable I am.  I am everything the other generations before me have been, but 100 times better. 

I weigh next to nothing yet am no lightweight. I have been modified to 5 different generations of touch, ranging from 8GB – 64GB (Apple, 2013). Weighing in at only 88 grams, my body is made from one of the strongest grades of aluminum there is, which will feel barely there in your hand or pocket. 

My retina display is tall at 4inches, but not wide which means that everything you do to me can be a one-handed operation, where your thumb has room to roam. My display screen is advanced, with finger-friendly Multi-Touch technology built into the glass instead of beneath it. 

I am quick with my response to your needs, as your usage of me needs to be prompt. I am for the growing generation; fast paced and advanced. I include the entire world’s newest, most craved features and software such as the i0S7, Siri and iMessage, as well as Apps, Games, Email and unlimited access to the internet allowing people to connect with the online network. 

I can provide you with up to 40 hours audio playback and 8hours of video playback. My most recent update includes a 4MP iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording as well as a FaceTime HD camera with 720p HD video recording. These features allow my users to access the knowledge economy. They are perfect for my type of user – a savvy, modern businessman who needs to connect visually with their peers in offices across the world. My impact on the 21st century is amazing. I am the portal to connecting you with the world’s news and information as it happens. I will change the way you perceive things visually and aurally as the leader of the iPod series. 

When iTunes as a database was introduced to the world, it impaced society on a phenomenal scale. As society has evolved, so has the iTunes database, and consequently me, the iPod touch.

I allow any person, regardless of gender, age, personality or socio-economic background to connect by the touch of a screen. I am flexiable to suit any personality type and lifestyle, making me one of – if not the most – culturally advanced technology out there. You couldn’t do any of the things I offer before the iPod touch". 

Apple. Compare iPod Models. (2013). Accessed 5 October, 2013 from http://www.apple.com/au/ipod/compare-ipod-models/

Ipod: Touch 2013 Persona

"Oh I’m just fantastic. I’m so privileged to come from such a strong and influential family line. Technological excellence runs through my wires.

Oh how rude of me to not introduce myself, I am the iPod Nano, 4th generation. 2008 is my year to shine so prepares your self for this new physique.

How do I look? Well I’ve inherited my narrow form factor from m 1st and 2nd generation relatives, but my rotating screen came from the 3rd generation of the Nano family. I’m thinner as well, only 6.2 millimetre's thick, so I’ve lost about 1 millimetre in thickness.

But this will get your engines running

I now come in nine ‘nano-chromatic’ colours that are sure to suit your every style, you can pick me up in silver, black, purple, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red and pink.

My increased display size makes me easy to see, a factor which will greatly contribute to my success in sales with the older human generations, not only this, but I am also apples most environmentally friendly iPod ever made, as I am made with natural resources that are easily recyclable.

I am advertised as an accessory more than apiece of technology, because that’s what I am, and that’s what I will become to you. I am designed for the average human, but I appeal to all. Following my introduction to the market my simple yet stylish features put me onto the must have lists of millions.

My introduction allowed the iPod to spread to more demographics than ever before. My affordable price, clear display, usability and funky colors had the baby boomers excited as they brought up big. Apple progressed form being a brand for the youth to a brand for everyone. Stay at home mums everywhere had me strapped to their arms as they pushed their strollers around the park. Business men would hide me in there suit pockets as they took the train to work and even the kids in the schoolyard would show off and compare there brightly coloured accessory with friends.

My introduction bought with it very little technological developments, in terms of music playback, and links with iTunes. But I was the first iPod marketed as an accessory that could be changed to suit every individuals needs. I’m suitable to your every need and the best of my kind…

So...which colour are you?"

iPod: Nano 2008 Persona

"I am the iPod mini. All the cool kids have me. I am so much more sophisticated than your regular mp3 player. I’m slick, small, lightweight portable, and I make your music experience simple and easy. You know when you see all the school kids on the bus with white headphones peaking through their hoodies? That’s me. I am the “it” item this year. Basically if you don’t have me, you’re not cool.

I am small and simple but definitely not lacking in any of the newest technology. I have the touch-sensitive spin wheel just like my ancestors who were here before me, and then much, much more. I am available in either 4 or 6 gigabytes so you can carry hundreds of songs with you wherever you go. I also come in 5 cool colours; silver, blue, green, pink or gold. I am a fashion statement. I am a reflection of you. Your music. Your vibe. 

Put me in your pocket or show me off to your friends. Buy my accessories, you can get a dock for me so you can play your music loud at your next party, I can keep partying for up to 8 hours without charging.

I make it very easy to upload all your favorite beats onto me through iTunes. And although I do support mp3’s, WAV and most other formats, there is no need to convert music files to mp3’s and muck around with all that garbage; just plug me into your computer and sync me with your iTunes library. Simple. 

I intend to make a big impact on today’s generation of teens. This will be the year that I am on the top of every teen’s birthday wish list. It is the year of the Olympics, and I will be the winner. I am on my way to making connecting with music the easiest thing you can do. I am going to change the way you listen to music. No more will you have to lug around cd’s or wait through all the dull songs on the radio before you hear one you like. I am here for whatever you want, when you want it. I am making listening to music a personal experience. Just you and me and your favorite tracks. 

Technology is changing and some just can’t keep up. Have me and you will be one step ahead of the rest of the pack".

iPod: Mini 2004 Persona

Networked Media: NIKI Assessment

♫♫The iPod♫♫

Soundcapes and personas provided for four generations of the iPod. 
- iPod Classic (2003)
- iPod Mini (2004)
- iPod Nano (2008)
- iPod Touch (2013)


NIKI: Ipod

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