Apple Music Error Pages Now Feature Interactive iPod Tribute

Apple is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the original iPod with a hidden interactive element on its Apple Music website. The feature is accessible only when a user attempts to load a page that does not exist.

The virtual device contains a library of 1,029 playable songs. This number references the original product's marketing slogan, which promised to put 1,000 songs in a user's pocket. The interface mimics the hardware layout of the first-generation model, including sections for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings.

According to Engadget, the experience is functional but somewhat buggy on desktop computers. The outlet recommends using a phone or tablet, where touch controls better replicate the physical click wheel. The service does not require an active Apple Music subscription to access the virtual player.

The music selection reflects early 2000s popular culture. Tracks by Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem are available to all users. Engadget's writer, based in the United Kingdom, also noted songs by Daniel Bedingfield, The Fratellis, and Klaxons. It is unclear if the same artists appear for listeners in the United States. Playback for any single track is limited to 90 seconds.

Notebook Check identified an additional hidden feature: the Brick game. This Breakout-style mini-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 prompt to engage with the virtual device appears below the standard 'page not found' message. The text reads 'give this a spin instead.' Apple has not issued a formal statement explaining the specific placement of the tribute within the error pages.