e13 – The History of iTunes, part 1

We chronicle the launch and early history of iTunes, from the acquisition of SoundJam up through version 3.0. Along the way we unearth bizarre Apple web services, people go crazy over burn folders, and Steve Jobs slips up.

Links for this episode:

The "i-" prefix

• iMac – 1998
• iCEO – 2000
• iMovie and the iMac DV
• HomePage movie sharing features
• iTools press release
  • iReview [WayBack Machine]

iTunes 1.0

• Macworld Expo San Francisco 2001 keynote
• MacLife: "The Complete iTunes History"
• Power Mac G4 "digital audio"
• burn folder demo
• MiniDV format
• Chalkboard typeface
  nope, it's One Stroke Script
• the competition
  • RealPlayer
  • Windows Media Player
  • MusicMatch
• iTunes install CD [eBay]
• iTunes download form [WayBack Machine]
• SoundJam feature list [WayBack Machine]
• brushed metal
  • QuickTime 4
  • SoundJam default theme
• Lucida Grande typeface
• CDDB / Gracenote
• OS X single-window mode
• iTunes visualizer

non-sponsor: Conflict Catcher 8 (winner of the 1998 Eddy Award!)

iTunes 1.1

• Macworld Expo Tokyo 2001 keynote
• 750,000 downloads of 1.0
• supported 3rd party CD burners
• first version on OS X

iTunes 2.0

• iPod support
• Equalizer
  • Merlin Mann's perfect EQ
• cross-fader

iTunes 3.0

• Smart Playlists
• ★ ratings
  • half-star ratings in iTunes
• Sound Check
• Audible book support
• iLife: iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes