| iPod compatibility on the original iPod was designed | | | | because FAT32 is the only file system that can be |
| for use with Macintosh computers running Mac OS 9 | | | | used natively with both Mac OS and Windows. |
| or Mac OS X but Apple began selling a | | | | Fourth-generation and earlier iPods could still be made |
| Windows-compatible iPod too on July 17, 2002. Apple | | | | to boot a Macintosh by reformatting their hard disks |
| released a Windows version of iTunes on October | | | | with HFS Plus. |
| 16, 2003; previously, Windows users needed | | | | The iPodLinux project has successfully ported an |
| third-partysoftware such as Musicmatch Jukebox | | | | ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) version of the Linux |
| (included with Windows iPods before the release of | | | | kernel to run on iPods. It currently supports first |
| the Windows version of iTunes), ephPod, or XPlay to | | | | through third generation iPods, and features simple |
| manage the music on their iPods.iPods originally | | | | installers for Mac OS X and Windows. The Linux |
| shipped formatted with Apple's native filesystem, | | | | interface is known as "Podzilla". |
| HFS Plus (Hierarchical File System) and consequently | | | | The interface will run on all iPods, however the |
| would only work with Apple's Mac OS because | | | | development team does not support its usage. The |
| Windows does not support HFS Plus. An iPod | | | | iPod uses standard USB and FireWire mass-storage |
| formatted with HFS Plus is able to serve as a boot | | | | connectivity, and therefore any system with |
| disk for a Macintosh computer, allowing one to have | | | | mass-storage support can mount it and use it as an |
| a usable, portable operating system installed on their | | | | external hard drive. The iPod will also charge from |
| iPod. | | | | any powered USB or Firewire port, regardless of |
| With the advent of the windows-compatible iPod, | | | | software support. |
| Apple switched iPod's default file system to FAT32 | | | | |