The chief executive of Apple, Steve Jobs, has spoken of his delight over the manner in which consumers around the world are receiving the iPod and its software.

Speaking to Fortune Magazine, Jobs claims that the iPod has had an enormous impact and has resulted in wholesale changes to mass-market consumer electronics.

But the success of the iPod has had a far wider, social impact than simply just on the electronics market according to Jobs.

“You or I move into a new house, and the first thing we do is call the phone company to get our land line turned on. Kids, they just move in with their mobile phones. Stereos are the same: Kids aren’t getting stereos; they’re getting speakers for their iPods," he commented.

“That’s become the audio market. People are buying iPods and Bose speakers instead of a JVC or Sony stereo system.”

Apple’s chief explained that the reason for this impact lies in the fact that consumer society is becoming ever more driven by the latest technology and the iPod and its accessories are at the forefront of this wave.

“Apple’s core strength is to bring very high technology to mere mortals in a way that surprises and delights them and that they can figure out how to use,” Jobs said. “Software is the key to that. In fact, software is the user experience.”