Apple hides 1,029-song iPod in error pages

People who encounter a broken link on the Apple Music website can now access a working replica of the original iPod. The device marks 25 years since the first model was unveiled. The virtual player sits below the standard error message, where a prompt invites users to give it a spin.

The interface includes a functional click wheel and controls for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings. Users can browse a library containing 1,029 playable tracks. The music collection features artists such as Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem. Engadget noted that its UK-based writer also saw Daniel Bedingfield, The Fratellis, and Klaxons, though it is unclear if US users see the same acts. Each track plays for a maximum of 90 seconds.

The experience works best on a phone or tablet. Engadget found the desktop version difficult to operate and sometimes buggy. The outlet recommended using a touchscreen to make the controls feel more like the physical device. The virtual iPod does not require an active Apple Music subscription to function.

A second hidden feature is available on the About screen. Holding the center button for a few seconds opens a version of Brick, a Breakout-style game. This game was a genuine extra on the first iPod, and Apple has replicated the same method to access it in the virtual version.

The original iPod was marketed as a device that put 1,000 songs in a user's pocket. The new Easter egg serves as a reminder of that original claim. Engadget acknowledged that most people will likely never see the feature, but noted the effort Apple put into building it.