Crying Over Click Wheels
Apple changed how we listen to music forever with the first iPod in 2001. MP3 players were put to shame with the iPod’s sleek design, fast transfer speeds, and iTunes store that gave listeners an easy, legal way to fill their libraries. Those who couldn’t afford the $399 pricetag entered endless sketchy internet contests and MLM schemes in hopes of getting their hands on the futuristic music box.
As smartphones got smarter, standalone music players took a backseat on a ride into obscurity, but the internet still fondly remembers the feel of spinning their thumbs around the click wheel to navigate their massive music libraries. We can still hear the clicking sound in our heads, and in case you’ve forgotten, there’s plenty of classic iPod ASMR on YouTube to remind you.