25 Years Ago: Apple Hides a Working iPod in Its Music Site's Error Page
Visitors to music.apple.com can find a clickable replica of the original 2001 device by typing a nonexistent path, playing 90-second previews of early 2000s hits.
By Pedro Barnes ·
Apple has buried a functional replica of the original iPod inside its Apple Music website to mark the device's 25th anniversary. The first iPod debuted on October 23, 2001, and the web tribute appears exactly 25 years later.
User Kian on X first spotted the hidden feature on the web domain. When visitors type music.apple.com/ipod or enter any other non-existent path, the standard error page is replaced by the classic white player interface.
The virtual device is fully interactive. Users can click the on-screen buttons to navigate through a playlist of pre-installed songs. The scroll wheel also functions, allowing visitors to click and drag to move through the track list just as they would on the physical hardware.
The playlist features artists who were popular at the time of the 2001 launch. Selecting a song plays a 90-second preview directly in the browser, requiring no additional apps or software.
Apple has not manufactured a dedicated hardware music player for years, but this web addition allows fans to revisit the look and feel of the discontinued product. There are no signs of a new hardware release attached to the tribute.
For those who prefer streaming over physical devices, the Apple Music service costs $11.99 per month. The service is also included in the Apple One bundle.
