Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: iPod, Shuffle, Colors, Sony, Headphones | Themes: Audio/Video Players
Apple has made a couple of minor changes to the iPod Shuffle, the only iPod people weren’t expecting to see at the event in San Fransisco today.
Apple was expected to introduce both and iPod Touch and a Nano with a camera today. The company was also rumored to be discontinuing the iPod Classic or at least moving away from the device and focusing more on the iPod Touch as the "main" iPod. Some of aforementioned rumors came to pass, and some didn't. However, the last few weeks passed without a single mention of the iPod Shuffle, and Apple surprised attendees at the Yerba Buena theater by announced new colors, prices and a special edition stainless steel version for $99.
The Shuffle, previously only available in silver is now available in black, pink, blue and green too. Prices start at $59 for the 2 GB model and $79 for 4 GB. A special edition 4 GB stainless steel version will set you back $99.
"iPod shuffle is the world's smallest music player and now comes in five great colors starting at just $59," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "iPod shuffle is so small that you almost forget it's there, yet remarkably, it holds up to 1,000 songs and talks to you."
The company also announced that it is working with headphone companies to produce products with the iPod Shuffle controls built in. One of the big problems people had with the Shuffle when it launched was that all the controls were in the headphones, meaning they couldn’t swap out the mediocre Apple ear buds for something of a higher quality. Third party manufacturers supporting built-in headphone controls include Sony, V-MODA, Klipsch and Scosche.
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I still don't see a screen. Not interested.
I still don't see a screen. Not interested.
Then don't get one. Shuffles aren't meant to have screens. They fill a certain niche in Apple's lineup of iPods. Great for jogging and working.
I'm torn on the new Shuffle. Apple lost me on the closed out concept regarding their then proprietary earbud tech. I've got a great, and cheap, pair of Creative headphones and recently bought the last gen Shuffle instead.
Until Shuffle moves away from on-headphone controls, I guess it's a 2nd Zen Stone or another older Shuffle for me..
the Sansa clips are much better deals for cheaper money. They have had a 4GB model for a while but since they are not Apple, no one knows about them.
I am sorry, but I read all the news that came out of the apple event, and I came up with one conclusion, was it really necessary to have the event. I didnt hear anything that was revolutionary. Most of it was just minor refreshes. Nothing excited. I wanted to be excited, but I just couldnt get there.
Then don't get one. Shuffles aren't meant to have screens. They fill a certain niche in Apple's lineup of iPods. Great for jogging and working.
Yeah, the same one that sansa clips fill. But with a screen, more features and no apple tax.
I like how providing different colors is "news".
I'm torn on the new Shuffle. Apple lost me on the closed out concept regarding their then proprietary earbud tech. I've got a great, and cheap, pair of Creative headphones and recently bought the last gen Shuffle instead. Until Shuffle moves away from on-headphone controls, I guess it's a 2nd Zen Stone or another older Shuffle for me..
What do you do with these things, eat them like candy? How many tiny MP3 players do you need? I hope they don't keep dying on you, that would convince me to look at another brand.
Never understood why different colors, shapes, styles, etc.. convince people to replace something they already have, which is still working just fine. On the other hand, I never understood why people kept buying the original iPod when it had max 18-months of battery life and forced you to pay $90 just to replace it. I guess thats why I have money in the bank and most people just have credit card debt.
I am sorry, but I read all the news that came out of the apple event, and I came up with one conclusion, was it really necessary to have the event. I didnt hear anything that was revolutionary. Most of it was just minor refreshes. Nothing excited. I wanted to be excited, but I just couldnt get there.
Most events aren't revolutionary. People have way too high (and in most cases unrealistic) expectations due to the rumors.
I don't think it should come as a suprise to anyone that the crowd who reads tomshardware doesn't like apple
Discontinue the Shuffle, it's a waste of time or money. There is a good point made at the fact that you can't swap out the headphones because the controls are built into the Apple earbuds but my counter point would be: If you want to swap out the Apple earbuds for "higher quality" headphones, what are you doing with a Shuffle (meant for people on a budget)?
Discontinue the Shuffle, it's a waste of time or money. There is a good point made at the fact that you can't swap out the headphones because the controls are built into the Apple earbuds but my counter point would be: If you want to swap out the Apple earbuds for "higher quality" headphones, what are you doing with a Shuffle (meant for people on a budget)?
People on a budget? My counter argument to that would be that the Sansa Clip is cheaper (and better) per GB. And with those, if you loose the earbuds you can replace them with any cheap pair instead of having to pay 30 dollars or whatever Apple charges for their earbuds. Honestly I don't think people on a budget should ever be looking at Apple products in the first place.
I thought the world's smallest music player was crickets.
sandisk sansa clip is much better, has a screen and is very small and cheaper also sounds better
I like my Sansa View, like in Seinfeld's "soup nazi" episodes no Apple for me!
And I still hate that knob. The old shuffle with a big fat play key was still easier to use.
Most events aren't revolutionary. People have way too high (and in most cases unrealistic) expectations due to the rumors.I don't think it should come as a suprise to anyone that the crowd who reads tomshardware doesn't like apple Doesn't quite go well with "I want to mess with the hardware of my computers".
really, most events arnt revolutionary. lets see what they have done so far. Released ipod, Color screen, video, nano, iphone, ipod touch, most of apple's events have pushed the envelope. This one has nothing but minor refreshes at best. Now I don't use an ipod, and dont own one. (waiting for the new zune). So no one can call me an apple fanboy, but apple does innovate and push the competition. This event was just flat. And as far as no camera for the touch. I will tell you why master jobs didnt put one in. Because he wants people to buy the iphone.
Uhhhh look at all the pretty colors.