1,029 Tracks: Apple Music Error Page Hosts Virtual iPod
Users encountering broken links on the streaming service can now access an interactive replica of the original 2001 device.
By Daniela Vargas ·
Apple has placed a functional virtual iPod on its Apple Music error pages to mark the 25th anniversary of the original device.
Visitors who reach a broken link on the platform encounter the standard 'page not found' alert. A prompt below the message invites users to 'give this a spin instead.' Following the link reveals an interactive replica of the classic hardware.
The virtual device features a responsive click wheel and controls that mirror the original layout. Users can browse sections for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings. The library contains 1,029 playable tracks, a nod to the device's original marketing promise of holding 1,000 songs in a pocket.
The musical selection reflects early 2000s tastes. Engadget reported hearing artists such as Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem. A writer based in the United Kingdom also noted tracks by Daniel Bedingfield, The Fratellis, and Klaxons. The outlet stated it was unclear if the catalog differs for users in the United States.
Playback for each track is limited to 90 seconds. Engadget described the experience as somewhat buggy. The publication recommended using the feature on a phone or tablet, where touch screens better simulate the physical device. A writer for the outlet had difficulty getting the interface to load on a desktop computer.
Notebook Check identified another hidden feature: the game Brick. This Breakout-style game was a genuine extra on the first iPod. Users can access it by holding the center button on the About screen for several seconds. The virtual iPod does not appear to require an active Apple Music subscription to function.
Apple did not announce the feature separately. It remains accessible to anyone who lands on a malformed URL within the Apple Music web interface.
Source: Engadget
