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Definition: click wheel


The user interface that made the iPod music player popular. Originally using a rotating wheel, the wheel was later made touch sensitive, and its rotation was simulated. People love the way the click wheel operates with one hand. The wheel is swiped in rotation to scroll, and the top, sides and bottom of the wheel are clicked to make a selection. See iPod classic and scroll mouse.






No More Click Wheel
Although widely used, Apple discontinued the last click wheel iPods (top) in 2014. The shuffle (bottom left) has no thumb rotation, and the nano and touch (bottom middle and right) migrated to touchscreens. (Images courtesy of Apple Inc.)