The retro iPod that by no means was

Apple is understood for being secretive about what goes on inside its places of work, whether or not it’s about upcoming merchandise or issues from the previous. Nonetheless, every so often, we get a glimpse into inside tasks that have been by no means meant to see the sunshine of day. What if we informed you that Apple as soon as thought-about launching a “retro iPod”?

Because of newly revealed materials by former Apple designer Jon Stoa, we now have a captivating glimpse into never-before-seen advertising and marketing ideas. They not solely present scrapped plans for the 2007 iPhone launch, but additionally ideas for what would have been a particular version iPod traditional.

An iPod impressed by the 1984 Macintosh

On his resume webpage, which incorporates a number of photographs for adverts, packaging parts, and advertising and marketing photographs created whereas working at Apple, Stoa shares a number of the unreleased tasks he labored on at Apple between 2006 and 2008. Essentially the most intriguing is the idea for a restricted version “retro iPod,” which might be designed to appear to be it got here straight out of 1984.

The concept was closely primarily based on a rising development of nostalgia, even 20 years in the past. The fabric imagines an iPod primarily based on the design of the unique Macintosh with a beige end, traditional typography, and the rainbow Apple brand on the again. He writes that the system “would draw from each the current and the previous to make an announcement in regards to the position of Apple and the iPod in tradition, each at times.”

Steered names included iPod retro, iPod rewind, iPod beta, and iPod backspace, all rendered in Apple Garamond, the typography utilized in Apple’s advertising and marketing supplies on the time.

The idea went far past a classic design. The advertising and marketing materials proposed preloading the iPod with some music movies from the Eighties and even traditional arcade video games akin to Pac-Man. Distribution would have been restricted, with the retro iPod solely out there at Apple Shops and chosen boutique companions.

There’s no proof Apple ever developed prototypes for the retro iPod. The supplies seem like unused design and advertising and marketing explorations relatively than a cancelled product.

Nonetheless, the truth that somebody inside Apple thought-about making a classic version of the iPod (which was at its peak in 2006) is fascinating.

Jon Stoa

Might a retro iPod occur in 2026?

Apple formally killed the iPod model in 2022 when it discontinued the iPod contact, however the extra traditional iPod nano and iPod shuffle disappeared years earlier. Even so, some individuals are nonetheless calling for the return of the iPod in some kind.

Some followers would immediately purchase an iPod traditional, whereas others would love a reimagined model of the iPod that blends in the present day’s applied sciences with the essence of the unique iPod.

If Apple have been to revisit the concept in the present day, it possible wouldn’t be a straight reissue. As an alternative, we might think about a compact system the scale of the iPod traditional, however constructed with in the present day’s supplies and elements. A contemporary OLED or mini-LED show, haptic suggestions to simulate the tactile really feel of the Click on Wheel, expanded storage choices, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth help, and deep integration with Apple Music.

Whether or not Apple would embrace this concept of wanting again at its {hardware} is one other query. The corporate usually prefers to maneuver ahead and barely celebrates milestones akin to product anniversaries. Nevertheless it’s onerous to think about a limited-edition system like this not promoting out immediately.

Jon Stoa

The canceled iPhone occasion

Stoa’s materials additionally sheds mild on Apple’s pre-launch technique for the unique iPhone.

Based on the paperwork, Apple had thought-about internet hosting one other press occasion on June 26, 2007, simply three days earlier than the iPhone formally went on sale. The occasion was to be held at The California Theatre in San Jose. Attendees would have obtained an iPhone-shaped present card to spend on the iTunes Retailer.

Nonetheless, the occasion by no means occurred.

By that time, Apple had already revealed the iPhone in January and supplied important updates throughout WWDC 2007 in June. A 3rd occasion might have felt redundant or strategically pointless. Stoa’s web site additionally exhibits a singular mild projection on Apple’s fifth Avenue dice

Jon Stoa

Nonetheless, due to Stoa, we will now check out all of the banners, emails, and different advertising and marketing supplies created for this iPhone pre-launch.

The theater foyer would have a number of posters highlighting key iPhone applied sciences such because the multi-touch show, accelerometer, wi-fi connectivity, Visible Voicemail, proximity sensor, and OS X. (Sure, Apple used to name the iPhone’s working system OS X earlier than naming it iPhone OS after which iOS.)

Taken collectively, these supplies provide a uncommon take a look at Apple’s parallel universe with merchandise and occasions that just about occurred. Additionally they function a reminder that even an organization as massive and profitable as Apple explores many concepts that will by no means attain the general public.

And generally, these unseen concepts are simply as fascinating because the merchandise that made it to retailer cabinets.