-
The First MP3 Player
The MPManF10 is released as the first commercially produced personal music player and holds only up to eight songs, selling at $200. -
Breaking Storage Barriers
The biggest problem with the MP3 player was the limited storage. The Remote Solutions Personal Jukebox broke the barrier by introducing 4.8 GB of storage. Howver, it was still heavy and bulky. -
The First iPod
Apple jumps in as the underdog, selling their product at $400. -
The iPod's Big Break
Apple comes out with a new design including a battery life of 8 hours, selling at $499. They get their real big break when they pair the ipod 3rd generation with itunes. -
Color Screens Go Mainstream
MP3 players introduce colored sreens..... and higher prices. Also, the iRiver MP3 player starts the trend of being able to stream FM radio. -
Back to the Basics
The next problem was that MP3 players were bulky and expensive, so apple created the iPod shuffle. It had no display, but was small and sold from $99-$149. -
Microsoft Makes the Leap
Microsoft introduces the Zune, which has the display, size, and convenient price of $200. It also introduces the idea of streaming FM radio on your personal MP3. -
Touchscreen Players
"What could make the MP3 better?," you ask. NO BUTTONS! Touchscreen are introduced with the ipod touch by apple starting at $400. Samsung also introduced the YP-P2 touchscreen MP3 player in the same year. -
Zune vs. iPod
Both MP3 players had been a huge success. Microsoft continued to work on the zune, but apple began working on a new iPod nano. This ipod nano was a huge success because it could now display pictures and videos. It was also much cheaper than the iPod touch, starting at only $250. -
Button Domination
Traditionally designed MP3 players with large screens and easy to navigate buttons are finally dominating sales. The typical MP3 player include the Sansa Fuze, starting at $75, and the Sony's E-Series Walkman, selling from $73-$120.
