This ugly iPod prototype was design by Apple to prevent real iPod design leaks | 91mobiles.com

The ungainly iPod prototype that was made to keep out leaks

9to5Mac reported that Panic excavated the original prototype of the iPod, which looks completely different from the actual product that was launched. The iPod was one of the most influential landmarks in the technology universe and changed the course of the music industry forever. Steve Jobs with the introduction of the iPod had managed to put thousands of songs into a compact, pocketable, and utterly desirable design. 

The P68/Dulcimer prototype iPod looks like an ungainly box made of rubber with internal components floating in the air. The product that we later received was much different from this prototype. Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPod, clarified via a tweet that this indeed was the prototype of the iPod, however, the purpose was completely different. This prototype was reportedly brought into existence to prevent the actual design from leaking. This in effect played as a diversion.

The prototype is dated September 3rd, 2001 which is almost two months earlier than the actual iPod’s introduction on October 23rd. The prototype is made out of rubber with big and clunky buttons and a scroll wheel. Upon further investigation is evident that the internals of this prototype was fairly similar to the actual release but was slightly larger in size.