Meet iPod Socks: The product launched by Steve Jobs and ‘inspired’ the iPhone Pocket

iPod Socks

Apple has announced the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted pouch created with the Japanese design house ISSEY MIYAKE. The accessory is positioned as a wearable carrier for an iPhones. While the internet is divided on this new super expensive iPhone accessory,  its arrival draws a direct line back to the iPod Socks introduced 21 years earlier, a product that Apple CEO Steve Jobs originally presented on stage with a humorous tone back in 2004.

The original iPod Socks

Apple first launched the iPod Socks in late 2004. The product consisted of six cotton-knit sleeves sold together in a pack priced at US$29. Each pack included six colours, with options such as green, purple, grey, blue, orange and pink. Jobs introduced the product during a music-focused Apple event held on October 26, 2004, describing it in a playful manner while emphasising its use as a basic protective sleeve for the iPod lineup.

The socks were designed as simple covers suitable for multiple iPod models. They offered light protection from surface damage when users carried their devices in pockets or bags. Apple continued offering the product for several years before discontinuing it in September 2012, as form-fitted cases became the dominant accessory choice. Following its discontinuation, the set eventually gained collector interest, with some packs selling for significantly higher prices on resale platforms by the mid-2010s.

The iPhone Pocket evolutuon

The newly introduced iPhone Pocket updates the original idea for the smartphone era. Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE have produced a single-piece, 3D-knitted structure with an open rib pattern. The design allows a user to see the iPhone’s screen through the fabric without removing the device. It can also hold small everyday items such as bank cards or wireless earbuds.

Apple is offering the accessory in two formats. The short-strap version is priced at US$149.95 and comes in eight colour choices. The long-strap version, designed for cross-body use, is priced at US$229.95 and is available in three colours. Both versions are manufactured in Japan as part of the collaboration.

Availability

The iPhone Pocket will be sold through Apple’s website and select Apple Store locations across regions including the United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan.