An MP3 player is a portable digital audio device that can store and play digital media such as audio, images, and video files. The name "MP3" comes from the file format used to store music on the device. MP3 players can store thousands of songs, and they can be connected to a computer via USB cords or Wi-Fi to transfer files. They can also be used to view images or movies, play games, and play other formats such as FLAC and MPEG-4 AAC. The most well-known MP3 player is the iPod, produced by Apple in 2001. There are several types of MP3 players, including memory flash players, micro hard-drive players, and hard-drive players. MP3 players have become less popular with the rise of smartphones and music streaming apps like Spotify, but they are still available on the market.