Apple today introduced iPod shuffle, a breakthrough digital music player based on iPod’s legendary shuffle feature which lets users experience their music in a million different ways. Smaller and lighter than a pack of gum, iPod shuffle comes with its own lanyard so it’s ready to wear right out of the box. iPod shuffle works seamlessly with iTunes’ innovative AutoFill feature which automatically selects songs from a user’s music library to fill up iPod shuffle with just one click. iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever and is available in two models: 512MB holding up to 120 songs for just $99 and 1GB holding up to 240 songs for just $149.
“iPod shuffle is smaller and lighter than a pack of gum and costs less than $100,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO in the press release. “With most flash-memory music players users must use tiny displays and complicated controls to find their music; with iPod shuffle you just relax and it serves up new combinations of your music every time you listen.”
iPod shuffle is based on iPod’s pioneering and widely-used shuffle feature, which randomly selects songs from the user’s music library or playlists. In addition, iPod shuffle works seamlessly with iTunes and its innovative new patent-pending AutoFill feature, which automatically selects the perfect number of songs to fill iPod shuffle from a user’s complete music library on their computer. And at any time, with a flip of a switch on the back of iPod shuffle, users can choose to listen to their music in order rather than shuffled, perfect for listening to a favorite new album.
Users can conveniently charge and transfer music from their Mac or PC by plugging iPod shuffle directly into a USB port. iPod shuffle doubles as a portable USB flash drive with up to 1GB of storage space to back up personal files and exchange them between computers.
iPod shuffle is the newest member of Apple’s wildly popular iPod family for both Mac and PC which includes the fourth generation iPod, the iPod mini, the iPod U2 Special Edition and iPod photo. More than 10 million iPods have been sold since it was introduced, and it is the number one selling digital music player in the world.
The popularity of iPod has also created a booming accessory market, and iPod shuffle is being introduced with several optional accessories. In addition to the included lanyard, there is an optional armband that makes iPod shuffle perfect for many athletic activities. An optional sport case keeps iPod shuffle safely protected from outdoor elements with its clear case and neck strap. An optional dock serves as an elegant and convenient home base for syncing and charging iPod shuffle, and an optional USB power adapter easily charges iPod shuffle when it’s away from the computer by simply plugging it into any electrical outlet. Users can extend the iPod shuffle battery life (up to 12 hours) with an optional battery pack that holds two AAA batteries and keeps the music playing for up to 20 additional hours.
The 512MB and 1GB models of iPod shuffle for Mac or Windows are now shipping for a suggested retail price of $99 (US) and $149 (US) respectively, and include earbud headphones, lanyard and a CD with iTunes 4.7.1 for Mac and Windows computers. iPod shuffle is available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The iPod shuffle arm band, sport case, battery pack, dock and USB power adaptor optional accessories will become available over the next few weeks for a suggested retail price of $29 (US) each.
iPod shuffle requires a Mac with a USB port and Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or Mac OS X version 10.3.4 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB port, or a USB card and Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional Service Pack 4 or later.
See Apple’s new iPod shuffle here.
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Prudential Equity Group forecasts 15 million Apple iPods sold this year, 22.5 million in 2006 – January 11, 2005
ME ME MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
I WANTS ONE! I WANTS NINE OF ‘EM!
AND TOSS IN A COUPLE O’ THEM HEADLESS MACS, TOO!
WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Way to go guys.. A+!
I just placed my order for the 1 Gig. I feel so satisfied. Someone got a light?
This will replace my iPod 15G and iPod mini for jogging! Also, I expect more middle-school kids to enter this market.
But I wonder how much this will erode the iPod mini? Hopefully, Apple will increase the mini HD capacity to 8GB or 10GB soon…
Say hello to the new stocking stuffer!
These will no doubt sell by the ton!
Perfect… keeps it well distinguished from the mini and at a great price.
too expensive, it won’t sell
FANTASTIC!!!!!
This is the best move Apple has made since the Ipod!!!
Im gonna get one of those Mac minis for my son!!
And a couple of those Ipod shuffles!!
That was the best keynote for the last 3 years!!!
I’m kinda surprised that the prices were pretty low. This is going to kill the USB flash drive makers.
without even trying they are going to take over the flash drive market
Anyone else realize how close these are to the price of an otherwise featureless USB keychain drive? Jeez, I’d get one just for that purpose.
At least, that’s my justification!!
iPod shuffle, the Lay’s potato chips of MP3 players. Betcha can’t eat just one!
Life is random. Purchasing an iPod shuffle is very intentional. This was the iPod I was waiting for.
I like the warning at the bottom of the iPod shuffle page;
DO NOT CHEW IPOD SHUFFLE
That’s good advice
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Does it come in Spearmint?
seems like only a few hours ago there were a lot of people saying that an iPod without a screen is stupid and destined for failure. Some even thought that it might damage the reputation and perception of the main iPod line.
Now that everyone’s seen it, do you still think the lack of a screen was a bad decision?
Personally, I think it is a great move for Apple. Keeping it simple and all about the music while being innovative at the same time.
The guys at Creative & Rio are probably busy changing their shorts right about now.
This new iPod won’t cannibalize the sales of the others. It has no screen. Anyone who wants to navigate their collection will have to buy a “normal” iPod.
Bold strategy; If you already own an iPod, the iPod shuffle will complement it. If you don’t own an iPod, you’ll still have to use iTunes to make use of the iPod shuffle and you won’t feel guilty for upgrading to iPod mini or whatever…
At first, I was skeptical of the lack of a screen but after reading some of the comments here, I see what Apple is getting at: if you have iTunes to program your playlists, why do you need a screen …
think different indeed!
US Slogan: Life is Random
Canada Slogan: Take a Chance on Chance
magic word: larger
I know you can add an external battery, but can anyone tell if the battery can be replaced?
Why didn’t they use the same doc technology as the iPod? FW/USB2. USB is so SLOW! Even for 1GB worth of songs.
That’s the only disappointment (I still ordered a 1GBer though).
I see it supports USB2, but none of my Macs have USB2, only USB and FW. Looks like I’ll have to buy a Mac Mini now too.
USB 1.1 and 2.0 through integrated USB connector
See http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html
Apple has once again revolutionized the simple experience of listening to music.
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,63068,00.html
This article shows some of the unexpected but welcome results of the iTunes shuffle ability. Apparently, once they try it many prefer this random way of listening to music, and only Apple has really capitalized on this.
Apple seems to know what we want and delivers it even before we know that we need it.
On another MDN thread, I said that this was going to be a huge failure without the screen. I was totally wrong. This looks amazing, and I’m getting one. I hadn’t thought about how much people (including myself) use the shuffle feature. Makes perfect sense.