What is an MP3 player?

Chances are, you remember all the hype around the iPod Classic and iPad Nano, with the capacitive click wheel. If not, you almost certainly remember the iPod Touch, often famously referred to as the ‘iPhone without the phone’. Apple’s now-discontinued iPod lineup of MP3 players is arguably the most iconic product in its portfolio.

Contrary to popular belief though, iPods were not the first MP3 players on the market. The first ever commercially sold MP3 was called the MPMan F10 player and was released in South Korea in the spring of 1998, by SaeHan Information Systems.

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However, iPods are credited with having made MP3 players as popular as they are even today. This raises another question though. Just why were MP3 players so popular? Read on to find out just what MP3 players are, how they work, and why they’re so popular.

What an MP3 player is and how it works

MP3 is an abbreviation for MPEG Audio Layer III. In essence, it refers to a compressed digital audio file. An MP3 player stores these files on a miniature hard disk drive, such that one can revisit them and play them back at their leisure. Depending upon the make and model though, they could also support other formats including AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), WAV (Waveform Audio File Format), and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec).

Why are MP3 players so popular?

Now, the reasons MP3 players were so popular, even though smartphones can also play music, is four-fold.

1. First is the sheer sound quality they offer. This was because MP3 players get dedicated audio hardware and software optimisations, and are only made for high-quality audio output – ensuring clear vocals, deeper bass, as well as clear highs and lows.

2. While smartphones get a finite amount of storage space, which can quickly fill up with other apps, photos, videos, documents, and more, MP3 players are specifically designed to store large collections of music.

3. Coming to the battery capacity on the two devices, MP3 players enjoy a significant advantage here as well. The fact that smartphones have to keep multiple processes running simultaneously results in faster battery drain, unlike MP3 players.

4. Most importantly, MP3 players can provide for a distraction-free listening experience unlike smartphones, with their constant incoming calls and notifications.

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With eventual developments in technology, smartphones may have eventually overtaken MP3 players in popularity. However, they still reign supreme when it comes to a high-quality, distraction-free listening experience.