“Samsung Electronics and Toshiba are aggressively planning to ramp up their output of 8Gbit NAND flash chips, as Apple Computer plans to roll out 2GB and 4GB versions of its iPod Shuffle this June and August, respectively, according to sources at NAND flash makers,” Hans Wu and Carrie Yu report for DigiTimes. “Apple currently offers 512MB and 1GB iPod Shuffle models.”
Full article here.
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Anticipation, rumors build ahead of Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ June 6 WWDC keynote – May 27, 2005
Apple’s iPod shuffle takes nearly 60 percent of US flash-player market in March – May 04, 2005
and now we require a screen with that much space
make it so
You’ve got one with a screen already –
4GB = iPod mini
(ok it’s a hard drive player, but it doesn’t cost much more than a 1GB shuffle)
I don’t see a 4GB shuffle happening at all. This rumor is nothing more than bunk. If anything, Apple will eliminate the 512MB model and price the 1GB shuffle at $99 sometime later in the summer.
How about instead of a full MP3-tagged screen, you have 5 or 6 tiny LED lights – that each correspond to separate playlists. That would make it much easier to keep track of songs on a larger capacity Shuffle.
Why eliminate the 512 Shuffle? Better yet, drop the price of the 512 to $50!!!
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I hate to say it but Sony’s screen for their flash based mp3 player is kinda nice. Looks good too. Although the shuffle is thinner, so who knows.
if they had a screen I would buy one, is they didnt then no.
What about a cheaper, more stable 4Gb mini with flash memory with a much longer battery life!!
Guys, the screen discussion misses the point. If Apple put a screen on shuffle, it would immediately reposition the device. The idea what for it to be different and have no specific competition, in an attempt to take a large chunk of flash market without being “a better same thing”. They’ll probably push storage capacities, but they’re not going to do an about-face on the device.
MW “leaders” as in – Apple’s products are the leaders in design and function.
The source for this rumor, DigiTimes, has zero credibility. Just look at their past predicitions.
Biggest complaint of the Shuffle:
Not really suited as a “transportable” iPod or flash drive.
I wanted to buy one to double up as a portable flash drive to take from computer to computer. I also wanted it to be used on multiple computers, like my G5 at home, my work PowerBook, my wife’s PowerBook, my parents’ G4, (we’re a Mac family, what can I say?) etc. But the Shuffle doesn’t quite work that way. I would much rather stick with the iPod/iPod mini, although the Shuffle’s form factor is perfect for my transportable use.
Oh well, I guess I’ll continue on with my Cruzer and my iPod.
On the models, I’m with RT, don’t get rid of the 512!
Lower the price to $50, and introduce the higher capacity shuffles. I really think that more than 2GB is almost too much for a shuffle without a screen. It’s a great intro iPod for those who want to store only a small amount of music. 4GB of music is a lot of music to have without a screen. My wife’s iPod mini is still not full at 4GB.
I own a 3G iPod (still kicking, no need to replace with a photo) and my wife has the mini. I have to say, I really, really like the form factor and the feel of the mini. So much so, that I find myself with my wife’s mini more than with my own iPod at times.
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It already takes *forever* to load up my 1GB iPod Shuffle from scratch via USB 2.0 on my PowerBook. I’d have leave the 4GB synching overnight whenever I wanted to entirely replace the music.
For me, the shuffle is a great second ipod for exercising. Yes, the mini isn’t bad for most activity (and I put up with the original iPod for years). The shuffle is not the ideal iPod for podcasting.
Oh, and yes, I know to disconnect all my USB 1.0 devices when connecting my shuffle, lest my USB bus operate at the slower speed.
I think the 4GB mini will shift to flash.
While I agree that for a MP3 with 200 songs on it, a screen is not much use, if you start have similar players with 4 gigs of space then having the ability to select particular songs / albums seems more important.
I would also imagine that are larger form format would be okay.
Apple have worked out that they can have multiple offerings of iPod without completely cannablizing the existing products. As long as they manage production properly they should end up with a bunch of players that no-one wants anymore.
Le Tigre – what kind of problems do you have? Because that is EXACTLY why I bought a Shuffle and how I use it.
I am a web designer for the government and I have NO FTP access to any of my servers, so I transport all of my files via my 1 gig iPod Shuffle. I develop on a Wink2K Pro computer, my servers are all Win2K3, my home comps are XP Pro and Panther. I have NEVER had a problem plugging in my Shuffle and having it work properly on ANY of the boxes that I use.
512MB –> $50
1GB –> 100$
4GB mini (a lot thinner and with flash memory) –> $150
8GB mini (two 4GB flashcards) –> $200
1 Gig shuffle refurbs shrink wrapped in box, $99 at Cincinnati Apple Store. Four in stock.
I’ll get one only if it has a screen that is at least as good as Sony’s.
Hope you’re right, Gard d zada. And if you are I will, without a second’s hesitation, buy that 4GB Flash iPod Mini. No question. Bring it. Make it gold, even. FlashPod Mini. Mine. Presto, life is better.
Le Tigre:
I agree with Chris. The shuffle has worked admirably for me as a transportable drive across platforms.
Load “Senuti” on each of the Mac computers you want to have deal with the music files on your shuffle. It overpowers the native Apple behaviour of the shuffle. There are similar programs for PCs if you need. I have no experience with them, but browse through the shuffle section of iPod Lounge for candidates.
<http://wbyoung.ambitiouslemon.com/senuti>
<http://www.ipodlounge.com>