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The iPod changed the world. The world moved on, but we still remember our first MP3 players

From iPods to SanDisk Sansas, we reminisce about our first MP3 players -- and all the music we packed in our pockets.

Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La

Long before smartphones and streaming music services like Spotify, there was the MP3 player. 

Compact with but a single function, and (mostly) easy to use, an MP3 player could pack your entire music library in the palm of your hand during an era when that very concept seemed too good to be true.

Though many companies made MP3 players, like the Microsoft ZuneSony Walkman and SanDisk Sansa, it was the Apple iPod that was a notable hit. First launched in 2001, the iPod branched out into variations like the iPod Mini, Nano and Shuffle. And while the iPod Touch still exists after Apple discontinued the other lines, the MP3 player has been mostly usurped by smartphones, including Apple's own iPhone. (With the likes of the HiBy R3 and PonoPlayer, however, that doesn't mean they're not completely around anymore.)

To honor the memory of this unassuming device, check out the video above. We take a look at our first MP3 players -- way back when we downloaded music, packed it all into our MP3 players, and went on with our day.

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