Apple Music error pages now include playable virtual iPod

People visiting a broken link on the Apple Music website now encounter a functional replica of the original iPod. The device appears below the standard error message with a prompt to give it a spin. This digital tribute marks 25 years since the unveiling of the first MP3 player.

The virtual device allows users to browse a library of 1,029 playable songs. The interface mirrors the original layout with sections for Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Settings. The click wheel and control buttons respond to user input. However, the experience contains bugs. Engadget reports that the virtual player works best on touch screens, such as phones or tablets. The outlet’s writer struggled to get the interface to work on a desktop computer.

The music catalog features tracks with an early 2000s sound. Artists included in the library are Baha Men, blink-182, and Eminem. A UK-based writer for Engadget also identified Daniel Bedingfield, The Fratellis, and Klaxons in the playlist. That writer was unsure if US users see the same specific acts. Each track plays for a maximum of 90 seconds.

Another hidden feature is the game Brick, a Breakout-style title. This game was a genuine extra on the first physical iPod. Users can access it by holding the center button on the About screen for a few seconds. Notebook Check identified this feature in the virtual replica.

The virtual iPod does not require an active Apple Music account to use. The device sits on pages that most users only see when a link is broken. Engadget noted uncertainty about why Apple invested effort in a feature so few people will find. The outlet expressed pleasure that the company included the tribute despite its obscurity.