It was 2001, a year that most Americans will remember as the year that changed our lives forever. This was the year the World Trade Center was attacked by a terrorist group from the Middle East called Al Queda. War was in our future and our view of the United States shifted from being an invincible superpower to a country vulnerable to any form of external terror. What we forget however is that there was something else that was about to change our world forever in a technological way. Apple was really suffering in the computer industry. Microsoft was about to release its XP operating system that would revolutionize the way we use computers. Apple had no way to compete with them, but something was in the works that would make it a powerhouse in the industry again, and it was only 4 inches long. Downloading music was still relatively new to us, but the only problem was that what we downloaded would only be listened to on our computers. We had no way to listen to it portablely. Apple noticed this and decided to create something that would allow us to take our MP3s wherever we wanted. This device would be the IPOD. Measuring just 4 inches tall, this little giant changed the way we listened to our music. Now you could connect it to your computer using a USB cable and take your entire music library with you. You can take it to the gym, to work, on your morning jog, virtually anywhere your heart desires. Since 2001, IPOD has been the undisputed leader in the MP3 player industry, occupying approximately 71% of the sector. Microsoft had it and needed to enter this new world, but could they do it. Microsoft has always been known as a leader in computing. If you just look...... middle of paper ......?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9003718Marchetti, Nino. “The battle of two MP# gaming Titans: Microsoft versus Apple.” http://portables.about.com/od/mp3players/a/microapphub.htm Marchetti, Nino. “The Battle of Two MP# Gaming Titans: Microsoft vs. Apple (continued).” http://portables.about.com/od/mp3players/a/microapphub_2.htmBriggs, Brian. "MP3 Player Showdown Apple Ipod vs. Microsoft Zune." http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/09/ipod_vs_zune.html*http://www.moture.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=64*http://www.roughlydrafted. com/RD/Home/9F60D74A-0E27-4F5F-B88D-835974628809.htmlKim, James. "Zune vs. the World. http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6490_7-6551614.html*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune* = no specific author given. - Although not all sources have been cited, all have been read and contributed greatly to the production of this piece MD.