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iTunes 1: The Beginning
The first version of iTunes featured compatibility for external CD burners, full screen digital effects, and was available in a number of languages. It was advertised as the world's best jukebox software, allowing users to rip CD's and create their own playlists (Cheng, 2012). -
iTunes 2: The iPod is Introduced
10 months after the release of the first version, iTunes 2 was made public. It was release after the iPod was unveiled, and was advertised to be able to seamlessly integrate with its new counterpart (Apple, 2001), with FireWire allowing users to put music on an iPod from their computer. Further updates allowed CD's to be converted to MP3 files and added to the iPod playlist (Cheng, 2012). -
iTunes 3: Smart Playlists
This version of iTunes introduced "Smart Playlists", which allowed music playlists to be created based on set parameters. If a user wanted to listen to only recently added songs or the top 20 listened to songs, iTunes allowed this happen (Cheng, 2012). Further features allowed audio-book support, and introduced the "Sound Check" feature, which allowed playlists' volume to be set at a consistent level (Cheng, 2012). -
iTunes 4: The iTunes Store
With Apple's initial release of the iPod and iTunes, the combination didn't really gain any traction until the creation of iTunes 4, which featured the iTunes Store for the first time. As 90% of PC users had a Microsoft computer, iTunes was made available on these platforms also, drastically increasing Apple's reach (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). The iTunes Store was introduced with this addition also, allowing users to pick whatever music they wanted for 99c a piece (Cheng, 2012). -
iTunes 5: Shuffle and Windows
iTunes released this update in accompaniment with the iPod Nano in order to properly support the new apparatus. iTunes was adapted to suit the Windows operating system, making it more convenient for consumers to access iTunes (Cheng, 2012). Podcast support was introduced, as well as the "Smart Shuffle" feature, which allowed users to shuffle selected songs in their playlists in a random order for added spontaneity (Cheng, 2012). -
iTunes 6: Visual Media
Only a month after the release of iTunes 5, iTunes 6 was dispersed. 2,000 music videos were made available at the price of $1.99 each (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). A few TV Shows were made available from Disney-owned properties for the same price (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). -
iTunes 7: Added Content
2006 saw an increase in purchases for digital music, which saw the importance of album art lost. Apple revived the need for it with the "Cover Flow" feature. Album covers were displayed and could easily be flicked through with a computer mouse (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). 75 movies were also added to the library, which could now be synced to the users iPod for mobile use (Cheng, 20120). Apple's fitness collaboration with Nike was also introduced here with the Nike+ application (Cheng, 2012). -
iPhone: Where It Began
When Steve Jobs announced the iPhone in 2007, the response was overwhelming. This Phone swapped out a keypad for a touch-screen, and added advanced computer-like capabilities that had not been seen in such a device before (Grabham, 2016). This device set the benchmark on future technologies and the way they have evolved. -
iPhone 3G
The second installment of the revolutionary device enabled the use of 3G, which was the fastest data speed at the time, as well as GPS capabilities to go with this new data speed (Grabham, 2016). With the release of the App Store on this device, consumers were beginning to see its long-term potential (Grabham, 2016). -
iTunes 8: The Introduction of Genius
Two years after the release of iTunes 7, iTunes 8 was released, advertising a new feature known as Genius. Genius worked by running an algorithm that would create a playlist containing songs similar to the one selected, also creating genre-specific mixes based on songs listened to (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). In addition to this, HD TV shows were uploaded to the iTunes store, as well as iPhone support, as the revolutionary device had been released a little over a year prior (Cheng, 2012). -
iPhone 3GS
This device was very similar to the last, except this iPhone provided users with photo and video capture capabilities (Grabham, 2016). The internal components were improved also, increasing the speed at which the device operated, also adding Voice Control as a handy navigation feature (Grabham, 2016). -
iTunes 9: Music Sharing
iTunes 9 introduced "Home Sharing", which allowed users to share their music and visual content with up to five different devices in their home, removing the need for users to send the music files directly to another user; it was a supported feature of iTunes (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). Genius Mixes were implemented, allowing suggested music to be compiled, and Party shuffle was replaced with iTunes DJ, as a way for users to queue up music in a party environment (Cheng, 2012) -
iPhone 4
This iPhone took a big step towards a modern look, with a sleeker design and a higher resolution screen whilst maintaining the same sized screen (Grabham, 2016). It also featured a front-facing camera, which was a revolutionary feature and was very timely, a social media was gaining ground as an essential communication medium (Grabham, 2016). -
iTunes 10: Social Networking
Apple created a Social Network within iTunes called "Ping", was was to be used to connect users with artists and to discover new music, as well as communicate with their friends what music they were listening to (Cheng, 2012), though this feature didn't take off as expected, and was removed within two years (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). The AirPlay feature gained footing, allowing those who owned Apple devices to stream content to other Apple devices and supported technologies (Cheng, 2012). -
iPhone 4S
This iPhone, very similar to its predecessor, featured an upgraded camera to 8 megapixels, and with the iOS 5 update, the introduction of the virtual assistant Siri (Grabham, 2016). It was also the first iPhone to be featured in white. -
iPhone 5
The iPhone 5 was a major upgrade, lengthening the screen of the device to make room for another row of App icons. and was made with a lighter aluminium casing to compensate for the increase size (Grabham, 2016). Apple Maps also took over Google Maps as the default option for GPS, though the latter could still be downloaded from the App Store (Grabham, 2016). -
iTunes 11:
iTunes 11 was Apple's most controversial update. It completely redesigned the entire interface, removing the navigational bars on the left and placing them at the top, as well as removing the ability to shuffle music (Pepitone & Goldman, 2013). However, this edition of the software allowed for better integration with iCloud, allowing purchases to be directly and instantly downloaded from the Cloud to the device (Cheng, 2012). -
iPhone 5C
The iPhone 5C was essentially the same as the iPhone 5, except it was made from a plastic rather than metal, allowing consumers a cheaper option for a new iPhone (Grabham, 2016). iOS 7 was launched alongside this iPhone, introducing the Control Center for easier access to settings (Grabham, 2016) -
iPhone 5S
The iPhone 5S was Apple's most advanced iPhone released in 2013 alongside the 5C, featuring a slimmer design and the introduction of Touch ID, where users would be able to sign into their phones with their thumbprint (Grabham, 2016). It was also the first phone to contain a 64-bit A7 processor, which allowed the iPhone to run smoother and support the increased vividness of the display with iOS 7 (Grabham, 2016). -
iPhone 6
The design of this iPhone was further streamlined and the screen lengthened to 4.7 inches, with more pixels to compensate (Grabham, 2016). A significant upgrade to the camera was also seen here, allowing higher resolution photos and videos to be taken (Grabham, 2016). -
iPhone 6 Plus
This iPhone, announced and released with the iPhone 6, featured a display measuring 5.5 inches, making it the biggest iPhone created up to that point. No other significant changes were made compared to the iPhone 6 -
iTunes 12: The Present Version
The current version of iTunes, release in 2014, redesigned the UI again, The icons for features such as Music, TV and Movies in the top left, and have included a "..." more section including Podcasts, iTunes U and the like. Music and playlists can now be seen side-by-side, allowing songs to be added easier (Macro, 2014). -
iPhone 6S
The iPhone 6S was almost identical to its predecessor the year before, with a little added weight, but it came with a few new features. Force Touch was introduced with this iPhone, allowing the user to do more with their phone simply by apply some more pressure to the screen, as well introducing the Live Photo feature, allowing users to capture the brief moments before and after the picture was taken (Grabham, 2016). -
iPhone SE
This iPhone was incredibly popular with the market, being inexpensive compared to its earlier models, and combining the small convenient size of the iPhone 5 with the processing power of the iPhone 6S, which was genuine value for money -
iPhone 7
The iPhone 7 revolutionised the entire design and operation of the iPhone, featuring stereo quality speakers, water resistance, advanced camera systems, and an enhanced display (Apple, 2017). This is the current version of the iPhone, although the iPhone 7S has been announced
