Apple Music Embeds Playable 25th Anniversary iPod in Error Pages
The hidden device contains 1,029 songs and a version of the classic game Brick.
By Marco Ortega ·
Apple has placed a fully functional virtual iPod on its website's error pages to mark 25 years since the launch of the original device. The addition appears only to users who land on a broken link within the Apple Music interface.
The company added the feature to commemorate the original iPod, a product that defined the early 2000s music market. The device was originally marketed with the claim that it could hold 1,000 songs in a user's pocket. This new digital replica serves as a direct reference to that historical advertising slogan.
Users who encounter a missing page on the Apple Music site see a prompt below the standard error message that reads "give this a spin instead." Following this link reveals an interactive replica of the classic hardware. The library inside the virtual player contains 1,029 playable tracks. The interface mimics the original design, including sections for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings.
The virtual device includes the Breakout-style game Brick, which was a hidden feature on the first physical iPod. Users can access the game by holding the center button on the About screen for several seconds. The music selection features artists popular in the early 2000s, including Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem. The interface is limited to 90 seconds of playback per track.
According to Engadget, the experience is somewhat buggy on desktop computers. The outlet found it difficult to get the device to work on a standard monitor. The feature performs better on mobile devices, where touch screens replicate the feel of the physical click wheel. The virtual iPod does not require an active Apple Music account to function.
The original iPod was unveiled 25 years ago and is considered a major product in consumer technology history. Apple did not issue a formal announcement regarding the placement of the virtual device. The company also did not explain why it chose to hide the feature behind error pages rather than displaying it on the main homepage.
Source: Engadget
