Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

The funniest thing you’ll read all day: Apple fans’ reaction to the original iPod in 2001

Published Sep 15th, 2014 8:30AM EDT
Apple iPod Launch 2001

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Some Apple fans were upset by the launch of the Apple Watch last week, as the device’s design wasn’t as stylish as they had hoped it would be. However, it turns out this sort of reaction on the part of the Apple fan base isn’t new because many of them had similar reactions to the first-generation iPod when it was launched all the way back in 2001.

POLL: What do you think of the Apple Watch’s design?

Via Reddit, this old MacRumors forum post from 2001 shows that the reaction to the original iPod was far from universal acclaim — in fact, many of the posters on the forum were downright angry at Apple’s decision to launch “yet another” MP3 player onto the market.

“I still can’t believe this!” fumed one fan. “All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently! Why oh why would they do this?! It’s so wrong! It’s so stupid!”

“Hey — here’s an idea Apple — rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why don’t you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up?” said another. “Or are you really aiming to become a glorified consumer gimmicks firm?”

“All that hype for an MP3 player?” ranted another. “Break-thru digital device? The Reality Distiortion Field™ is starting to warp Steve’s mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off.”

Of course, we all know how this story ended: The iPod went on to become the most popular digital media player in the world and was the first major success story in Apple’s epic comeback. Judging by the initial reaction at the time, however, you never would have believed that this would be the case.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.