Before Apple, iPod creator Tony Fadell had his MP3 player idea rejected by which two companies?

Undeterred, Fadell pitched his concept to Philips, where he had previously worked.

These setbacks led Fadell to Apple, which immediately recognized the potential of his vision.

Fadell’s idea of integrating sleek hardware with a seamless music ecosystem aligned perfectly with Apple’s emerging strategy.

The first iPodhit store shelves on November 10, 2001.

Interestingly, RealNetworks' rejection of Fadell’s MP3 player idea was not its only notable missed opportunity.

Talk about missed opportunities (ouch, twice for RealNetworks).