At the time at least it was wildly more intuitive than other mp3 players. I'm not a huge apple fan, but sometimes they get stuff right.

I think its because you never spent time with one. I always found them incredibly intuitive and easy to use.

That's kinda my point, though. You couldn't just pick up the iPod connected to the speakers at a friends' place and instantly know how to switch songs. While virtually every other mp3 at the time had a d-pad with labeled buttons easily understood.

I really contest this. The UI of the iPods were great. I don't recall anyone having issues, including elderly, etc.

I think OP’s right, everyone “knew” how to operate an iPod through advertisement and probably few had to figure it out on their own. It was simple and consistent enough that they looked intuitive but maybe it wasn’t.