2000
iTunes started out when Apple saw the program SoundJam, and liked it so much that that bought it, and took on the developers to turn it into iTunes. They release iTunes 1 on the 9th January 2001.
2001
A chap called Tony Fadell first conceived of iPod outside of Apple, but had difficulty finding funding and so took it to Apple and demonstrated his idea to Steve Jobs. Apple hired him as an independent contractor to bring his project to the public, where he then designed the first two generations before the UK design guru Jonathan Ives took over.
The first Generation iPod was announced on the 23rd October, and was a 5Gb 'scroll wheel' model, which worked with Macs only and connected using Firewire (not USB). It could store around 1,000 songs, and went on sale the following month.
iTunes version 2.0 was also released in this month - still just a Mac application at this time, with a blue coloured icon.
2002
In the spring of the new year, third party software developers begin releasing software that would make Windows PC's work with the Mac-only iPods by fooling the iPod into thinking it is connecting to a Mac and not a PC. This worked by fooling the iPod into thinking it was looking at a Mac mounted volume/disk and not a Windows one.
As Apple were only producing iPods for Macs at this time, software was also developed for Windows PC's to allow you to manage your music collected - Ephpod and Anapod being two that are still going today.
At around the same time, a new version (but still classified as first generation) of the iPod comes out - with a 10Gb hard disk, thus capable of storing 2,000 songs. Connectivity is still by Firewire only.
In October, Apple replaced the mechanical scroll wheel with a solid-state touch wheel and gave us larger sized models for the official second-generation iPod.. Looking exactly the same as the first generation, the second generation ones appear in October of 2002, but with several key changes:
There is now a Windows PC version (which ships with the dreadful Yahoo! MusicMatch application instead of iTunes which hasn't been written for Windows yet), and secondly they are now available in 5Gb, 10Gb and 20Gb hard disk sizes - the latter two having a touch sensitive wheel, instead of one that physically moves. There is still no USB connectivity for them - not a problem for Mac users where Firewire comes as standard, but Windows PC users typically had to go and buy an additional firewire expansion card to make them work.
At the same time, iTunes version 3.0 come out (with a different coloured icon again) and it's still only available for Macs. However, people know that a Windows version of it is on its way when adverts appear for programmers to work/code a Windows version of it.
2003
The third generation of the iPod - and some would arguable say the model which really caught the publics mainstream attention - came out in April of 2003. They look different from the first and second generation models, and have had the buttons move from the outside of the wheel to just below the display.
There are initially twp capacities: 10Gb (2,000 songs)15Gb (3,750 songs) and 30Gb (7,500 songs) models available.
Another major upgrade is the fact that there are no 'separate' Mac or Windows PC models - any iPod will work on either type of computer, and also USB functionality is now built in for the first time. Although the USB connector only works to synchronize to your computer, it will not charge via USB! The only cable you can use to charge whilst connected to a computer is the firewire one. You can however charge it by having it plugged into a wall socket.
In April, iTunes 4.0 is released - the big new feature being the iTunes Store - where you could legally buy and download music. But the store is for US based customers only, and for Mac users only - everyone else must wait a little longer.
In September, the 20Gb model of the iPod replaced the 15Gb one (holds 5,000 songs), and a 40Gb model replaced the 30Gb one - which now holds 10,000 songs.
Eventually, in October comes iTunes version 4.1 - for the very first time it's available for Windows based computers as well.
Released : January 2004
Size: 15GB
Notes: Replaces the 10GB model
2004
The iPod mini is released in January, a 'cut down' smaller version which has a 4Gb disk, that can hold 1,000 songs if you use Apples new AAC encoding system instead of MP3.
It also comes in five colours - silver, pink, green, blue and gold. It's the first appearance of the 'click wheel' as well where the four buttons have been placed underneath the scroll wheel.
On the main iPod front, the 10Gb model is replaced by a 15Gb one - although great bargains can be found with some retailers selling off the old 10Gb model stock.
The iTunes music store is launched in the UK in June with other European countries following shortly after, but people complain that the price is too high in the UK when compared to other countries.
Apple announce the new fourth generation iPods in the summer (July), which now have an improved battery life, a click-wheel like the iPod mini, and they lower the price significantly as well. There are 20Gb and 40Gb models. They go on sale in September, and are the first full-sized iPods to have the 'click wheel'. They still use the old black & white 'chunky' Apple font though.
It's confusing as to whether the next model should be known as the fifth generation iPod or not, but the iPod photo is announced/released in October. It has a colour screen, improved battery life again, a different screen font, and (hence the name) the ability to store and display photos. 
It comes in 40Gb and 60Gb capacities at quite a price.
At the same time, a limited edition black & red colour "U2 iPod" is released, in 20Gb only, it comes with the bands signatures engraved on the back of the iPod, along with a voucher that enables you to buy the entire back catalogue of U2's music from the iTunes music store.
2005
In January of the new year, Apple release the iPod Shuffle - the first iPod with no screen and no hard disk, as it's flash memory based. It's tiny as is ideal for joggers and other sports people who want random music on the go. It's also one of the cheapest priced ipods yet. It comes in 512Mb and 1Gb sizes.
In February, the iPod mini got a makeover : It was now available in 6Gb models (as well as 4Gb), it gets an increased battery life (almost doubled), and the price is dropped making it excellent value for money. The Gold coloured iPod is dropped though as it is the model which sells the least.
In the iPod photo range the 40Gb is discontinued, and instead replaced by a smaller 30Gb model - but at a much cheaper price, and it's thinner too
The regular 'fourth generation' iPod (non-colour/photo) was then available in just the 20Gb size.
At the end of June, the main iPod range was reduced two just two models - the 20Gb and 60Gb versions which were both in colour. They dropped the 'photo' branding as the non-colour/photo model was withdrawn meaning that all iPods now came in colour and could display photos. The U2 iPod - still proving to be surprisingly popular was also now available in colour.
The price was also dropped again. iTunes 4.9 was released at the same time, bringing with it Podcasting capabilities. iPod-mini at this time is still black and white though.
In September, Apple announced the iPod Nano - which replaced the iPod mini. A flash disk-based player that came in 4Gb and 6Gb models, and also now in TWO colours - black as well as white, these incredibly small and tiny players were snapped up immediately as they were so popular. They also had colour screens, a bit of a sore point for Apple as they then had to admit that there was a fault with some of them becoming badly scratched and broken shortly after.
That small problem aside (in a minority of cases) it was easily the most 'sexy' iPod yet that proved extremely popular.
iTunes 5 also came out at the same time with a new polished look, the ability to nest playlists within folders and a few more refinements.
Just when everyone thought that the Nano was the big thing that Apple would have out for the christmas 2005 market, just four weeks later they brought us something even newer and better in time for Christmas ... the iPod Video.
This replaces the iPod Photo, and U2 model, and came in 30Gb and 60Gb, and it was thinner than before and came in two colours - black and white..
There is now a 2.5 inch wide 320x240 pixel screen that lets you watch video. iTunes 6.0 was brought out to allow you to download music video, short films, and (in the US only at first) certain TV programmes. The iPod is now finally sold with a USB cable that will sync and charge, plugging in an old Firewire cable will now only charge your iPod but not sync it!
2006
On 12th September, Apple brought out the new shaped iPod shuffle - now smaller than ever and available in 1Gb.
They also redesigned the iPod nano, including a new 8Gb model. And had them in five refined colours - Silver, Purple, Black, Green and Blue. For a short while a 1Gb model of the older style nano was available too at a very cheap price.
The iPod Video was refined - and became available in 30Gb and 80Gb sizes (the biggest so far) - it included several refinements on the software of the iPod, including a new 'search' function that you could not get through firmware upgrades on existing iPods.
The new-look iTunes 7 was also released and is a major step forward as the iTunes Music Store was renamed just 'iTunes Store' as you could now download TV shows, movies and games alongside music for your iPod. It also incorporated updating the firmware on the iPod to within iTunes - you no longer have to download a separate program to reset it, or keep it up to date.
In October 2006, a limited edition Red coloured nano was brought out with $10 of the purchase price going towards AIDS charities - as part of the Product Red range.
2007
In February, the Shuffle was made available in five colours - silver/grey, purple, green, blue and orange. People suggest that you can now colour coordinate with your outfit and use them as tie-clips!
In May 2007 a new version of iTunes was release (7.2) to enable new content on the music store - DRM free music! For an increased price, some music is now available to buy without the '5 machine' restriction, plus - it comes encodes at the higher bit-rate of 256kbs instead of the 'regular' 128 AAC. It costs more to buy these tracks though.
After much hype (Apple had announced it as far back as January) a brand new product was launch by Apple on the 29th June - the iPhone. Launch dates for other countries around the rest of the world would be a couple of months later.
It's a phone, a video player and an an iPod all in one - with an intelligent touch screen interface, but comes at a quite a price - $499 for the 4Gb model, or $599 for the 8GB model. iTunes 7.3 was also launched to support the iPhone too.
On 5th September 5th, Apple announced iPod upgrades in time for the seasonal market. They added a Product (RED) to the Shuffle Market.
A brand new Nano was launched - now capable of playing video on a larger screen - it is shorter and fatter in design - "A Little Video For Everyone". The five colours that the larger 8Gb model comes in (4Gb model is silver only) are new, and have a shiny metallic look to them.
The biggest news though is that the main iPod now branches out into two separate product lines.
There is the iPod Classic, the standard iPod as you know and love it now available in 80Gb and 160Gb models (Hard disk), in two colours - black and silver. Gone is the white plastic.
And there is the new iPod Touch range - essentially like an iPhone but without the phone part. This uses flash memory and is only available in 8Gb and 16Gb sizes.
Off the back of this - Apple also reduce $200 dollars of the price of an iPhone - a move which angers early adopters of that product, so as a good will gesture, Apple give a $100 rebate to anyone who bought the iPhone at a higher price.
2008
In late January 2008, Apple brought out the Macbook Air - the world's thinnest laptop which featured a 64Gb Solid State Flash drive - sparking rumours that upgraded iPhone's and iPods Touch's would follow - and on February 5th - new models indeed were release. The iPhone was now available in 16Gb, and the iPod Touch now in 32Gb. Great news if you waited, but if you got a new iPod Classic or smaller size Touch for Christmas - how annoyed would you be! Oh, and a 'Pretty in Pink' new coloured Nano came out too.
In June, Apple announce a newer version of the iPhone3G, as it now connects to 3G networks for faster browsing when not connected to Wi-Fi, has GPS built in and a few other software refinements. The body of the phone has been curved slightly and - most important for a lot of people - the price has been halved to just $199 in the USA. They went on sale on July 11.
Come September, and another Apple expo brings us a completely updated product line - The Nano loses it's "stubby" look and goes back to the thinner look & feel. It has curved edges, came in nine different colours, and has a sensitively chip inside it which allows you to physically shake the iPod to change tracks. Apple dub it "the funniest iPod ever". The iPod Classic now just comes in ONE size - 120Gb, whilst the iTouch has its software updated but disappointingly still only comes in 8, 16 and 32Gb sizes. Many people were hoping for a 64Gb Touch.
Also, iTunes 8 is released with the much-merited 'Genius' feature which learns what songs you like and suggests other songs that are similar to it which you may also enjoy.
2009
In March of this year, the third generation Shuffle was released - and it's tiny, the smallest iPod ever. It's controlled by a single button and has 'Text to Speech' technology where the name of the track was spoken to you. Later on in the year in September, they also became available in pink, blue, and green - along with a brushed still version with a 4Gb capacity.
9th September : At the now-annual Apple conference, they brought an update to the Nanos - they now have a built in video camera that takes video clips (but not still photos!). No zoom though, and the screen is slightly bigger now too..
iPod Touches are now available in 64Gb (as well as a 32Gb version), but at an expensive price. The Classic iPod (with Hard Disk) is now just available in 160Gb - but now has the thin form factor that previously the 120Gb model had.
iTunes 9.0 is also released, with a revamped looked to the iTunes Store.
2010
Announced on January 27th, and on sale from April 3rd, the iPad is Apple's expected foray into the tablet computer market. Championed by people such as Steven Fry, claming it to be a "magical device".
On June 24th the iPhone 4 was released with higher resolution screen, and lots of other improvements, but shall be remembered more for an antenna problem which it initially had - and Apple had to release a software patch to reflect the number of bars properly.
1st September : Apple hold their early autumn event again and announce many new products..
iTunes 10 is announced with Music Social Media tool 'Ping' announced. And with it, the logo that we've all been used to for the last X years changes to something new too. iTunes itself again gets a more 'polished' look and feel to it.
There are new iPod Touch's, thinner than before and have 'Facetime' - like the iPhones 4 to allow you to have video conversation over wireless networks.
New iPod Nanos - now have a touch screen. There is a loss of scroll wheel, and a loss of the video functionality! If you want an iPod that now does video you have to go to an iPod Touch as the cheapest way to get any video.
The iPod Shuffle returns to how it looked in its second generation - the third generation being considered not that great a product - and is available in 2Gb and four colours.
There was also a new Apple TV, smaller, cheaper (but with less functionality) than the previous model.
2011
On March 2nd, Steve Jobs announced that 2011 would be "Year of the iPad2" by announcing the second-generation of Apple's tablet computer.
Released for sale a week later, it was (of course) thinner than the original iPad, whilst also having a faster processor and a front-facing camera too meaning it could be used for Facetime conversations.
On October 4th, 2011 Apple held it's first major launch since Steve Jobs (who died the next day) stepped down as CEO with Tim Cook leading the way instead. A lot of people were expecting an iPhone5 to be announced, instead it was the iPhone4S (available in black & white, 16Gb, 32Gb, 64Gb) - a refresh of the existing model, looking the same on the outside, but "completely different inside", with the faster A5 chip, better camera, and new antennas and Siri voice control now built in.
The iPod Touch had it's prices refreshed, and now available in black and white, and sizes of 8Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb - A 128Gb version which many had hoped for did not materialise. The iPod Classic remained unmentioned.
iOS5 was also officially announced (and released a week later on the 12th October) along with iTunes 10.5 - enabled for iCloud. An update (5.0.1) was brought out to patch some bugs about three weeks later.
2012
The iPad3 was announced on the 7th March 2012, with a feature list as expected/rumoured for a long time including a new extremely hi-res 'Retina' display, and 4G LTE technology. Except ... it's not called the iPad3 ! Apple chose to call it 'The New iPad', although the iPad2 line is continued, but at a reduced price.
There was also a new Apple TV (Version 3) announced, along with another iOS upgrade, now taking the software version up to 5.01
A timeline of Apple Products:
The iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and the Apple Store.
What came first ... the iPod or iTunes?
It was actually the latter.
Before the iPod was released, Mac users had had the 'iLife' suite of applications on their computer including iTunes version 1.0 - which had a 'three note' icon instead of the 'double' green one which people are familiar with today.
To this day, both Windows and Mac users can install and run iTunes on their computers without having to have an iPod or iPhone - you can just use it to organise your music collection on your home computer - you don't have to have an iPod to have iTunes - something which not a lot of people realise.
So iTunes was around (for the Mac only) from January 2001 - without the online store - it merely let you rip your own music/CD collection in and play them through your computer.