Since its first introduction in Oct. 2001, the iPod has captivated music enthusiasts around the world, forever reshaping the music industry.
Apple, whose co-founder Steve Jobs died Wednesday, has created products and technology that have changed music for its creators and consumers.
“Apple’s development of the iPod and the iTunes music store came at a crucial time,” said Eddie Ashworth, assistant professor in the School of Media Arts and Studies, in an email. “Apple got people thinking about portability and easy access to media while providing an economic model that got people buying music again.”
The advent of iTunes and Apple’s digital music players made it commonplace for stream music to computers.
“This is where the music industry is going, and Steve is primarily responsible for blazing the trail,” Ashworth said.
Ashworth works in media production, and when he made the switch from analog equipment to digital, the new tools he implemented came from Apple.
A Mac G4 and ProTools, both Apple products, helped redefine Ashworth’s recording work.
“Apple OS and computers, and the programs that run on them, have made media production accessible to just about anybody,” Ashworth said. “And while not everyone necessarily has the talent or skill to create a memorable product, it has given many fantastic artists and record makers the opportunity to make their art and get it heard.”
In addition to changing the music creation and production processes, Apple products have also redefined the way people listen to music.
As iPods and other digital music players became the norm for portable music, the ease of taking tunes everywhere increased.
“(iPods let me) listen to music over and over without needing an Internet connection,” said Kyle Rutherford, a freshman studying strategic communications.
The students who pepper Ohio University’s campus with colored earbuds and bobbing heads wouldn’t have the same music culture without Apple products, Rutherford said.
“The CD market could still be up,” he said. “The digital music age would not be as sufficient.”
oh994610@ohiou.edu
