{{Lowercase title}} {{short description|Protective knitted case for iPod devices}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} thumb|iPod Socks in orange and green '''iPod Socks''' are a set of multi-colored cotton knit socks introduced by Apple Inc. in November 2004 for protection of iPods from damage during travel.<ref name="9to5mac-obscureappleaccessories">[https://9to5mac.com/2018/03/19/forgotten-history-obscure-apple-accessories/ Revisiting the forgotten history of obscure Apple accessories] by Michael Steeber, 9to5Mac. March 19, 2018.</ref>
==History== On October 26, 2004, Apple CEO Steve Jobs jokingly presented the socks as a "revolutionary new product" at a special music event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dybwab |first=Barb |date=2004-11-11 |title=Breaking news: iPod socks available for pre-order!! |url=https://www.engadget.com/2004-11-11-breaking-news-ipod-socks-available-for-pre-order.html |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Engadget |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite speech |last=Jobs |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Jobs |title=Apple Special Music Event 2004 |location=California Theatre (San Jose) |date=2004-10-26 }}</ref> They were available in a package of six different colors, including green, purple, grey, blue, orange, and pink, for US$29 ({{Inflation|US|29|2004|fmt=eq}}), or about US$5 a sock ({{Inflation|US|5|2004|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Peter |date=2004-11-10 |title=iPod Socks coming in Dec. |url=http://www.macworld.com/news/2004/11/10/ipodsocks/index.php/?lsrc=mcrss-1104 |url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041120153905/http://www.macworld.com/news/2004/11/10/ipodsocks/index.php/?lsrc=mcrss-1104 |archive-date=2004-11-20 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Macworld }}</ref><ref name="bustle-remember-ipod-accessories"/>
Eight years later, sometime in September 2012, Apple stopped selling the product.<ref name="ai-apple-removes-ipodsocks">{{cite web |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/12/09/26/apple-removes-ipod-socks-from-online-store |title=Apple removes iPod Socks from online store |work=AppleInsider |date=2012-09-26 |author=AppleInsider Staff |quote=A reader alerted AppleInsider to the disappearance of the product on Wednesday [2012-09-26]. It's unclear exactly when the product was removed from the Apple Store [...] }}</ref> The set soon became a collector's item, with aftermarket prices rising as high as US$90 by 2014 ({{Inflation|US|90|2014|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="bustle-remember-ipod-accessories">{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/46830-remember-ipod-socks-your-favorite-ipod-accessories-from-the-early-2000s-that-will-make-you-wish |title=Remember These iPod Accessories? |first=Lulu |last=Chang |work=Bustle |date=2014-10-30 }}</ref>
== Reception == Jeremy Horwitz of ''iLounge'' gave a rating of B− for the socks, indicating a "Limited Recommendation". Horwitz noted the product's two-toned design and ability to hold an iPod of any size, but criticized the socks for inhibiting access to the screen and controls and high price.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Horwitz|first=Jeremy|date=2004-11-30|title=Review: Apple iPod Socks|url=https://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipod-socks-ipod|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315173034/http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipod-socks-ipod/|archive-date=2008-03-15|access-date=2021-11-09|website=iLounge|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, Chaim Gartenberg of The Verge described the product as a "bizarre piece of Apple's history" comparable to the Polishing Cloth, noting that the socks remained relatively popular during its availability from 2004 to 2012 due to their "relatively universal size" and bright colors.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=2021-10-26|title=AirPod Beanies bring back the infamous iPod Sock for a new generation|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22746794/airpod-beanies-apple-ipod-sock-native-union|access-date=2021-11-09|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>
== Legacy == In November 2025, Apple announced the iPhone Pocket, a similar product intended for the iPhone. Instead of a sock shape, the iPhone Pocket resembles a knitted bag, designed to be worn around the arm or tied to a purse. Like the iPod Socks, the iPhone Pocket comes in assorted colors and has a knitted appearance. The introductory price was US$150 for a short strap version and US$230 for a long strap. The short strap version was available in yellow ("lemon"), orange ("mandarin"), purple, pink, teal ("peacock"), blue ("sapphire"), brown ("cinnamon"), and black; the long version was only available in sapphire, cinnamon, and black.<ref>{{cite web | last=Simon | first=Michael | date=2025-11-11 | url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2968486/apple-launches-the-ipod-sock-2-0-for-the-iphone-and-its-weird.html | title=Apple launches the iPod Sock 2.0 for the iPhone—and it's weird | work=Macworld | publisher=FoundryCo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Weatherbed | first=Jess | date=2025-11-11 | url=https://www.theverge.com/news/818328/apple-iphone-pocket-crossbody-knitted-sock-bag | title=Apple made a $230 crossbody... sock | work=The Verge | publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
*{{Wikia content | article = iPod Socks | sitename = Apple | datecopied = November 9, 2021 | date = November 2021 }}
==External links== *[http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M9720G/B Apple iPod Socks]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} at Apple (archived 2007-10-21, [http://store.apple.com:80/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M9720G/A 2004-11-12]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}})
{{iPod}} {{Apple hardware since 1998}}
Category:Discontinued Apple Inc. products Category:iPod accessories Category:Products introduced in 2004 Category:Socks Category:Products and services discontinued in 2012