90 Seconds: Apple Music Hides Playable iPod

Ninety seconds. That is the length of every preview track available on the interactive iPod replica Apple embedded in its music website this week. The feature marks the 25th anniversary of the original device, which the company first unveiled on October 23, 2001.

The tribute surfaced on the social media platform X, where a user named Kian identified the anomaly. It exists as a hidden easter egg on the Apple Music web domain. When visitors navigate to music.apple.com/ipod or enter any non-existent path on the site, the browser loads the virtual player instead of a standard error message.

The replica is fully functional within the browser environment. Users can click the on-screen buttons to navigate through a playlist. The scroll wheel responds to mouse input, allowing visitors to click and drag the wheel to scroll through tracks, mimicking the physical motion of the 2001 hardware.

The pre-installed library consists of songs by artists who were popular around the time of the product launch. Selecting a track plays a 90-second preview directly in the web interface, requiring no separate software installation. The page serves as a lighthearted nod to the device rather than a formal product announcement.

Apple has not indicated plans to release new hardware for the anniversary. The physical iPod has been discontinued for years, making this web version a digital alternative for those seeking the original look and feel. For users who prefer streaming without the interactive element, Apple Music remains available at a monthly cost of $11.99. The service is also included in the Apple One bundle.