Apple Drops iPod Shuffle to $49, Adds 2GB Model

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Apple has dropped the price of the iPod Shuffle to $49 ($from $79) today. The $49 iPod Shuffle stores 1GB of songs or up to 240 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format. A new 2GB model has also been introduced at $69."At just $49, the iPod shuffle is the most affordable iPod ever," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. "The new 2GB model lets music lovers bring even more songs everywhere they go in the impossibly small iPod shuffle."

The Shuffle is still available in the same colors: silver, blue, green, purple and red. The 2GB model won't be available until later this month.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/19/apple-drops-ipod-shuffle-to-49-adds-2gb-model/)

[Blaxje]

So where's the 2gig model? It's not on Apple's website.

[pezza]

So where's the 2gig model? It's not on Apple's website.
That's what I was thinking.

[Airforce]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

[arn]

2GB won't be available til later this month.

arn

[bruk201ib]

So where's the 2gig model? It's not on Apple's website.

Read the post "The 2GB model won't be available until later this month."

[allpar]

Wasn't the original iPod Shuffle also $49? I bought one and I'm pretty sure that was the price.

[Motley]

I still don't see it on the website.:confused:

edit: Okay, not available until later this month, so what was the point of taking down the store if the lower shuffle price was already up prior to the take down?

[Yves Creebs]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

i agree, i just bought 2 gigs minisd for $10 for a cell phone which i can easily control what songs i play (from a screen).

Yea the shuffles are small, but you have to carry a phone, you can have both in one package with better functionality with a $10 sd card.

MacBook Pros!!!!

[stekerrod]

Wasn't the original iPod Shuffle also $49? I bought one and I'm pretty sure that was the price.

the original shuffle was $99 for 512MB if i remember correctly, i think it came down though after a while!

[Shacklebolt]

$49 is perfectly fine. You're paying for Apple's aesthetics, not the 1gb. Although I have trouble seeing why people wouldn't pay 20 bucks more for twice the storage capacity.

[fireghost]

How nice of them to drop the US Prices... Lets see what's gonna happen with those prices:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8262/33307492iv6.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=33307492iv6.jpg)

[mojohojo]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(

[Windowlicker]

It's about time! And that's not so much for the 2GB model, but for dropping the price. The pricepoint is now pretty much right imo.

[BryanLyle]

I know the original 1GB version was close to $149. I can't remember what the 512MB cost.

[miloblithe]

Of note, the refurb iMacs have a "Limited Time Special Price" that is $50 less than yesterday.

New iMacs next Tuesday?

[JSchwage]

About time they lowered the price! Glad to see they added a 2 GB version too.

[Motley]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(

They're not out yet, but you should be able to get the difference between old price and new price back.

[AliensAreFuzzy]

I think at this point Apple is just teasing the people waiting for the MBPs. They just want to see them squirm. That's the only possible explaination

[FleurDuMal]

Don't take it personally. Apple has no idea who you are, and doesn't give a toss either. So it can't be personal :)

[drenk1976]

The thing I really love is how Apple keep forgetting to pass these price drops on to the other side of the Atlantic.

Think $49 is alot for a 1gb player? Try £49 ($95.63), because that's what it still says on apple.com/uk.

They haven't put the Apple TV down either, so it's still £199 ($388) for the 40gb one.

[pezza]

I'm going to hold out for the "3G" shuffle!:)

[stekerrod]

Don't take it personally. Apple has no idea who you are, and doesn't give a toss either. So it can't be personal :)

perhaps one of my favorite comments ever on these forums! very true though!

[QCassidy352]

gotta love the 2-to-1 negatives to positives on this story. The MBP whiners are out in full force, huh?

[johnnyjibbs]

The thing I really love is how Apple keep forgetting to pass these price drops on to the other side of the Atlantic.

Think $49 is alot for a 1gb player? Try £49 ($95.63), because that's what it still says on apple.com/uk.

They haven't put the Apple TV down either, so it's still £199 ($388) for the 40gb one.
It sucks doesn't it! Still, the UK store didn't go down so I can only imagine that it will go down a little later.

£25 for a shuffle would be sweet, but something tells me it will be more like £35. Don't forget that "it costs a little more to do business here."

[fuji]

Apple has no idea who you are, and doesn't give a toss either.

Ha ha, might get that inscribed onto a new 2GB shuffle :rolleyes:

[notjustjay]

In our universe: "Waaah! They dropped the price again! I just bought one last week! I'm taking this personally! Apple is such a rip off!"

In another universe (or is it the same one??): "Waah! How come Apple stuff is so expensive? They never drop the price! I refuse to buy until the price drops! I'm taking this personally! Apple is such a rip off!"

[brn2ski00]

The refurbed ones are still $49 as well. I wonder what the price drop on those will be? May pick one up for skiing!

[Passante]

Wasn't the original iPod Shuffle also $49? I bought one and I'm pretty sure that was the price.

Try $99 when first introduced

[DAC47]

It sucks doesn't it! Still, the UK store didn't go down so I can only imagine that it will go down a little later.

£25 for a shuffle would be sweet, but something tells me it will be more like £35. Don't forget that "it costs a little more to do business here."

damn one of my friends e-mailed me from one of the New York apple stores yesterday. could have got a £25(approx) shuffle
on his way back home today.
d'oh

[ridehard]

I thought that mbp would be a more important update then shuffle, but the price drop was necessary.

Let the games begin.

[villanova329]

Can't wait to get it

[jouster]

i agree, i just bought 2 gigs minisd for $10 for a cell phone which i can easily control what songs i play (from a screen).

Knock yourself out. I'm sure the phone interface is awesome, and getting content onto it is doubtless a joy.

Seriously, why are people complaining about the lack of an MBP update? Doesn't this make it more likely that the MBP will receive a much bigger makeover - maybe at the still-unconfirmed Feb. event? If it had been no more than a store update you can bet your bottom dollar the bump would have been minor.

[AmbitiousLemon]

Hmm why are they doing all these updates to products that aren't that old. Try the 8month old MBP :apple:

I am also waiting for a MBP update but I am not whining. When my laptop died in December I knew it was going to be a long wait. I looked at Apples release history (conveniently catalogued in The MacRumors Buyers Guide (http://www.macrumors.com/members/buyersguide/)) and realized that in all likelihood and update was coming between the end of february and the end of march - and that waiting a couple months beyond that wouldn't be unusual. When you ignore the minor updates (or releasing brand new models like the 17" and 12") most MBP updates have been just a couple months shy of a year. Since we got a minor bump just this November it makes sense that this update will be a bit longer. January would have been only 6 months after the big update and 2 months after the minor update.

So while I am waiting too, I must say that the MBP whiners need to get some perspective. Apple simply does not update their pro lines as often as the consumer lines. Before you start waiting for a new product you should look at the update history and ask if you are prepared to wait, not for the average, but for the long outlier. Most of you are complaining before we have even reached the average update time. If you can't wait just buy now.


Now on topic - Its striking to me that we now have a 2GB shuffle. When these first came out the thought was along the lines that they had such small capacity that having no screen wouldn't be a problem. At what point does the storage capacity get too big to rely on random shuffling?

[sananda]

£49 here. that's double!

[Keebler]

to the guy who just bought it 2 weeks ago, see if you can get a lower price. most places should do that.

[tobefirst]

...snip...

Ahhh, the voice of reason. Thank you very much for that.

[jouster]

£49 here. that's double!

It's double if you are earning dollars and then taking them to the UK to buy one. It isn't if you are earning UKP and spending them in the UK.

People do a currency transaction and think that they have a realistic equivalent price. This is not the case. You have to take into account average earnings and costs but no one ever does.

[surferuke]

so, let me guess......... we now have to pay for shipping on the 49$ shuffle where orders of 50$ up ship for free? :confused:

[monkeybongo]

Now on topic - Its striking to me that we now have a 2GB shuffle. When these first came out the thought was along the lines that they had such small capacity that having no screen wouldn't be a problem. At what point does the storage capacity get too big to rely on random shuffling?

I use my 30GB iPod on shuffle most of the time ... a great way to find that song you haven't heard in a while.

$49 is a great price for the 1GB ... it may not be the cheapest, but has the best build quality and feels great with the solid aluminum exterior. I'm sure Apple will pick up a lot of new customers who will love them and upgrade to the nano in the future.

[dr_lha]

It's double if you are earning dollars and then taking them to the UK to buy one. It isn't if you are earning UKP and spending them in the UK.

People do a currency transaction and think that they have a realistic equivalent price. This is not the case. You have to take into account average earnings and costs but no one ever does.
Not to mention the fact that the UK price include 17.5% VAT and the US price doesn't include sales tax.

[sananda]

It's double if you are earning dollars and then taking them to the UK to buy one. It isn't if you are earning UKP and spending them in the UK.

People do a currency transaction and think that they have a realistic equivalent price. This is not the case. You have to take into account average earnings and costs but no one ever does.

it's just double.

what have earnings got to do with it. i may earn double than the man next door, but the price of a shuffle is the same for both of us.

[deputy_doofy]

My apologies. I guess I was too harsh. Don't take price drops so personally. People buy every single day. Someone will always get "burned" by a price reduction.

[spice weasel]

$49 is perfectly fine. You're paying for Apple's aesthetics, not the 1gb. Although I have trouble seeing why people wouldn't pay 20 bucks more for twice the storage capacity.

Because it doesn't have a screen. I have a 1 gig model and I love it, but if I was in the market for a new shuffle I'd just buy the cheaper 1 gig model again. Navigating through 2 gigs of music with no screen sucks.

[berkleeboy210]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

I bought a 4GB SD card for like $29 at best buy last week. 1gb's were running like 10-15bucks.

[sananda]

Not to mention the fact that the UK price include 17.5% VAT and the US price doesn't include sales tax.

yes, that together with the claimed increased costs here (uk) normally account for price differences. but this is a much larger difference than usual. is there a price reduction yet to be applied here?

[Sky Blue]

Steve Jobs had cereal this morning FWIW

[latestmonkey]

i agree, i just bought 2 gigs minisd for $10 for a cell phone which i can easily control what songs i play (from a screen).

Yea the shuffles are small, but you have to carry a phone, you can have both in one package with better functionality with a $10 sd card.

MacBook Pros!!!!

Whiners like this make me laugh/sad.

You know what? You can get 1GB flash drives for free at most conferences. Stick it in a macbook and voila! It's waayyyyyyy cheaper than buying a shuffle at $49!!

I recently bought a Sony walkman cell phone and popped in a 4GB card. (I'm waiting for iphone v2) Anyway, it's awful in the interface, both on the phone and getting music onto it. You can always do something cheaper... but why? The shuffle at $49 is a steal.

[eastcoastsurfer]

I bet this is just the first round of iPod related price drops. Expect the classics to drop next and then the Touches. The slowing economy is going to cut into Apple's profits, but since they charge such a high premium they'll be able to cut prices pretty aggressively.

[filmguy15]

So how is a price drop a bad thing? To everyone who is pissed because of no MBP: Enjoy your VAIOs, you won't be missed....

[Sannekita]

Knock yourself out. I'm sure the phone interface is awesome, and getting content onto it is doubtless a joy.

Seriously, why are people complaining about the lack of an MBP update? Doesn't this make it more likely that the MBP will receive a much bigger makeover - maybe at the still-unconfirmed Feb. event? If it had been no more than a store update you can bet your bottom dollar the bump would have been minor.

Yet this event is still - like you mention - unconfirmed. There haven't been any new rumors about it either. I'm thinking it won't happen...

[prady16]

Was at the apple store last weekend to buy a shuffle but held off!!!

The prices at the refurbished store still shows up as $49!

Any idea when would they drop the prices on that?

[devilot]

Reminder folks, let's keep this thread ON topic-- it's about the iPod Shuffle. Thanks.

[Eidorian]

2GB won't be available til later this month.

arnLater this month...

Who isn't surprised? I might pick up a refurbished Shuffle if they drop the price a little more. It's nearly disposable now.

[takeabyteoutta]

For $49, you're getting $10-15 1GB flash, $10-15 earbud headphones, $5 aluminum case and a $1 clip, $5 USB connector plus one the smallest, but most functional MP3 players around.

So depending on how you look at it, Apple's making between $10 and $25 profit, minus the cost of shipping, manufactoring, etc.

I'd say its priced pretty well. Before I wouldn't of even though about buying one, but now it's defiently a possiblity.

[neoelectronaut]

Dammit I just bought one about a month ago.

[Tosser]

Whiners like this make me laugh/sad.

You know what? You can get 1GB flash drives for free at most conferences. Stick it in a macbook and voila! It's waayyyyyyy cheaper than buying a shuffle at $49!!

I recently bought a Sony walkman cell phone and popped in a 4GB card. (I'm waiting for iphone v2) Anyway, it's awful in the interface, both on the phone and getting music onto it. You can always do something cheaper... but why? The shuffle at $49 is a steal.

Weird comparison since the Shuffle doesn't have a GUI.

[iPhelim]

You know what? You can get 1GB flash drives for free at most conferences. Stick it in a macbook and voila! It's waayyyyyyy cheaper than buying a shuffle at $49!!.

What?! You've missed one big thing: IT'S AN iPOD, YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC ON IT, DUH....

[DAC47]

macworld.co.uk
are reporting the new UK prices are £32 1GB and £45 2GB
uk apple store not updated yet

[sananda]

macworld.co.uk
are reporting the new UK prices are £32 1GB and £45 2GB
uk apple store not updated yet

thanks. that's more like it.

[p0intblank]

This is awesome news! You can buy the 1GB iPod shuffle for literally less than a video game now. I don't know why this is getting so many negatives, but I look at this as great news. Keep it up, Apple!

[pacohaas]

so, let me guess......... we now have to pay for shipping on the 49$ shuffle where orders of 50$ up ship for free? :confused:

Your Shopping Cart

This cart qualifies for free shipping.

Items in your cart:
iPod shuffle - Blue

Quantity:
1
Item Price:
$49.00

Cart Subtotal:
$49.00

Free Shipping:
$0.00

Est. Tax*:
$2.70

Est. Total:
$51.70

I think the shuffle is a free shipping item regardless of the $50 price mark.

[mojohojo]

They're not out yet, but you should be able to get the difference between old price and new price back.

when do these come out?? coming soon... 5 - 6 days, few weeks??
i hope before 30 days so that i can change it for a 2gb for free.. isn't that how apple deals with these?
im from australia, so hope it comes soon!!!!!!

[Dimwhit]

I can't believe how many people are giving this article a negative. How can it be bad? The 1GB shuffle is almost half what it was! I might get one for each of the kids at that price. And as someone said, it almost makes them disposable. I think it's an amazing mp3 player at an ever better price.

Not sure I'd ever bother with the 2GB, though.

[Leoff]

it's just double.

what have earnings got to do with it. i may earn double than the man next door, but the price of a shuffle is the same for both of us.

Sorry, it isn't "just double." You have no concept of the difference in costs from country to country.

A small, single bottle of Coke in the UK costs what... roughly 1 pound? You are used to that price, you have been all your life. In the US, it's $1.25. So by your reasoning, you've been getting ripped off your entire life because you're paying almost twice what the US has. And this has been going on for years. Yet you never, ever have complained about the price of coke, have you?

Because of the way the economy works, prices just aren't equal from nation to nation. A 10,000 pound a year Secretarial job in the UK is not equivilant to the same in the US at "double" the salary.

Is it a shame that UK'ers pay more? Yes, it most certainly is. But it isn't Apple's fault. Apple charges the same prices like every other company on the planet does. Go to Dell or Acer or Sony or any other electronics company. Spec out the same computer on both the US and UK sites. Then tell me if it's "just double" for everyone else, too.

[milo]

Is this the first time the shuffle has been available for $49? Good move to keep iPod growth up in a questionable economy.

I bought a 4GB SD card for like $29 at best buy last week. 1gb's were running like 10-15bucks.

And what is the sound quality like on that SD card?

[bdkennedy1]

Hmmmm... I thought Apple said way back when that more than 1gb was too much to navigate through.

[sananda]

Sorry, it isn't "just double." You have no concept of the difference in costs from country to country.

A small, single bottle of Coke in the UK costs what... roughly 1 pound? You are used to that price, you have been all your life. In the US, it's $1.25. So by your reasoning, you've been getting ripped off your entire life because you're paying almost twice what the US has. And this has been going on for years. Yet you never, ever have complained about the price of coke, have you?

Because of the way the economy works, prices just aren't equal from nation to nation. A 10,000 pound a year Secretarial job in the UK is not equivilant to the same in the US at "double" the salary.

Is it a shame that UK'ers pay more? Yes, it most certainly is. But it isn't Apple's fault. Apple charges the same prices like every other company on the planet does. Go to Dell or Acer or Sony or any other electronics company. Spec out the same computer on both the US and UK sites. Then tell me if it's "just double" for everyone else, too.

it is just double. and the reason for this, it has just been pointed out, is that the price reduction has yet to be applied in the uk. it will reduce in price from £49 to £32.

[offwidafairies]

i agree, i just bought 2 gigs minisd for $10 for a cell phone which i can easily control what songs i play (from a screen).

Yea the shuffles are small, but you have to carry a phone, you can have both in one package with better functionality with a $10 sd card.

MacBook Pros!!!!

I don't carry a phone when I'm jogging, but the shuffle is perfect - i can only tell I'm wearing it because of the headphone cords.

I think the price drop is great. I bought an ipod shuffle in December and I don't regret it. Prices always come down and new products always come out.

[aprilfools]

Bummer. Just this past weekend, I bought a purple shuffle from apple.com store refurbished for $49. It is coming in the mail today. I should have waited. That same $49 would now get me a new shuffle. :(

Sad thing of it is, refurb shuffles are still listed on their site at $49 as of right now. Who will buy those if you can buy a new shuffle for $49?

[MacSA]

http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipod-itunes/news/index.cfm?newsid=20490
macworld uk are saying £32 for 1GB

[twoodcc]

good news. it's about time they lowered the price.

[ebouwman]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

I don't know about in US pricing, but lowering it to $49 canadian would be a really reasonable price, not that that'll happen.
I don't think i've ever recommended the shuffle to anyone.

How nice of them to drop the US Prices... Lets see what's gonna happen with those prices:

I'm sorry to say, but you guys get raped with that kind of pricing!!!

[Buschmaster]

How dare Apple keep making products more affordable for customers!

[Mustafa]

Hmmmm... I thought Apple said way back when that more than 1gb was too much to navigate through.

But 2gb isn't enough to get a movie on..............

[Airforce]

For $49, you're getting $10-15 1GB flash, $10-15 earbud headphones, $5 aluminum case and a $1 clip, $5 USB connector plus one the smallest, but most functional MP3 players around.


Most functional? Is that a joke? :confused: It has no screen, limited space, and is overpriced for the storage. $1 clip? $5 USB connector? $5 in aluminum? What the hell? :p

[Hattig]

49.00 USD = 25.1101 GBP
+ 17.5% VAT = £29.50
£2.50 markup for the UK.

69.00 USD = 35.3593 GBP
+ 17.5% VAT = £41.55
£3.45 markup for the UK.

That's probably covering some EU or UK import duty or something.

If only the MacBooks had a £2.50 markup only!

(and the average wage in the UK isn't that far off the average wage in the US, it's not like we earn loads more. Higher tax burden too, but lower costs like medical, insurance, and so on).

[lyzrd]

The iPods in Europe have received an price drop too.

In Germany they sell at 45€. Just picked one up at the local store.

hsf, lyzrd

[weg]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(

You can update for $69, and you're allowed to keep your old shuffle.

[Eric Lewis]

Ok so


shuffle + earbuds = $49.99
earbuds = $29.99
Difference = 20 bucks

so if your buying just headphones for 29.99
(http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=3CAB62F7&fnode=home/shop_ipod/ipod_accessories/headphones&nplm=MA662G/B)

then just buy a shuffle for 20 dollars more!

[iEric]

woops i bought an ipod shuffle yesterday from the US store (brick and mortar) and i live in canada...

do you think if I email the store w/ my emailed copy of the receipt they can just do a credit with me actually having to be there??

eric

[Tosser]

woops i bought an ipod shuffle yesterday from the US store (brick and mortar) and i live in canada...

do you think if I email the store w/ my emailed copy of the receipt they can just do a credit with me actually having to be there??

eric

I think it's a question of the people working there, frankly. Send them an email and ask. The worst that can happen is you getting turned down.

[BlizzardBomb]

Still a bit too much money for my liking, but hey, any price drop is a good price drop (supposedly). Would've been nice if they added multiple playlists too because this would be (even more) perfect to work out with.

[andygeo]

geez there are a lot of complaints! who would of thought that paying LESS money for something could annoy so many people . . .

[Switched2aMac]

Bummer. Just this past weekend, I bought a purple shuffle from apple.com store refurbished for $49. It is coming in the mail today. I should have waited. That same $49 would now get me a new shuffle. :(

Sad thing of it is, refurb shuffles are still listed on their site at $49 as of right now. Who will buy those if you can buy a new shuffle for $49?

Trying calling apple. I ordered one on Sunday and it is due Wednesday. I called and they emailed me a return label and I ordered the Product Red for 49.00. I am going to return the one I purchased on Sunday and I should get the new one Wednesday or Thursday. She said she felt bad for me for buying it for 79.00 and now the price drop so she expedited (sp?) it for me.

Hope that helps. That is as long as you don't open in. I welcome the price drop.:)

[mattcube64]

... Refurbs are listed at $49, still. Anybody think they'll drop these prices in the next couple days? $39? $34?

What do you guys think?

[knelto]

geez there are a lot of complaints! who would of thought that paying LESS money for something could annoy so many people . . .

Just joined I see... You'll get used to it...

[Yvan256]

"The original 1GB model is now $55 and a new 2GB model is coming soon for
just $75."

[Leoff]

it is just double. and the reason for this, it has just been pointed out, is that the price reduction has yet to be applied in the uk. it will reduce in price from £49 to £32.

Check all the other iPods, accessories... hell, Macs themselves. Are those "just double?" No.

[gnasher729]

£49 here. that's double!

UK price today is the same as UK price yesterday. US price today is $30 less than US price yesterday. Now you have a choice: You can whine, or you can think about why that is. Maybe the UK Apple Store is a bit slower in changing the price than the US Apple Store?

Let's say if I wanted an iPod Shuffle, I wouldn't buy it today.

There is also the hope that with our Prime Minister messing up the economy, the pound will start dropping down, and in a year or two £49 won't be twice as much as $49, but only fifty percent more. If that makes you happier.

[aprilfools]

... Refurbs are listed at $49, still. Anybody think they'll drop these prices in the next couple days? $39? $34?

What do you guys think?

I was thinking about this. I dont have an inside connection at Apple but seems to me that Apple will probably keep the refurbs at $49 until they don't have any more of them in stock. Most likely they don't want their profit margin to be lowered on product that has already cost them xx amount of $ to produce. The only reason why the prices were lowered on the new shuffles is because Apple was able to negotiate a lower manufacturing cost.

[johnnyjibbs]

It's double if you are earning dollars and then taking them to the UK to buy one. It isn't if you are earning UKP and spending them in the UK.

People do a currency transaction and think that they have a realistic equivalent price. This is not the case. You have to take into account average earnings and costs but no one ever does.
Actually it was £49 this morning when the US version was $79. The UK did not have a price drop. And it would be nice, but we don't earn double what you do in the US for an equivalent job/role. By your reckoning, the MacBook Air would be £1799, but it is £1199 (even though it should be £999)

Not to mention the fact that the UK price include 17.5% VAT and the US price doesn't include sales tax.
True but it doesn't hide the fact that our VAT tax is on average double the US sales tax.

geez there are a lot of complaints! who would of thought that paying LESS money for something could annoy so many people . . .
That'll be because the shuffle is no MacBook Pro... ;)

[milo]

UK price today is the same as UK price yesterday. US price today is $30 less than US price yesterday. Now you have a choice: You can whine, or you can think about why that is. Maybe the UK Apple Store is a bit slower in changing the price than the US Apple Store?

Absolutely. macworld.co.uk has the new UK prices, they just aren't on the UK store yet.

UK shuffle prices ARE dropping.

[mattcube64]

I was thinking about this. I dont have an inside connection at Apple but seems to me that Apple will probably keep the refurbs at $49 until they don't have any more of them in stock. Most likely they don't want their profit margin to be lowered on product that has already cost them xx amount of $ to produce. The only reason why the prices were lowered on the new shuffles is because Apple was able to negotiate a lower manufacturing cost.

Yeah... but who the heck would buy a refurb for the same price as new???

[notjustjay]

But 2gb isn't enough to get a movie on..............

Right, because I watch movies on my iPod shuffle all the time. ;)

[aprilfools]

Yeah... but who the heck would buy a refurb for the same price as new???

some people will still buy the refurbs and not realize that new ones are the same price. I have come to learn that I am much smarter than most people. :)

[chr1s60]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

I don't think that is too bad of a price for what you get.

Oh yeah, where is the MBP update?

[Tosser]

I don't think that is too bad of a price for what you get.



And what do you get, in your opinion? Besides a 1GB memory stick with a headphone plug?

[glennyboiwpg]

Most functional? Is that a joke? :confused: It has no screen, limited space, and is overpriced for the storage. $1 clip? $5 USB connector? $5 in aluminum? What the hell? :p

OMG, I went and saw this nice car for 15000 dollars... I mean like WTF? The engine is only worth 5000?? Like how on earth do they justify 10000 for all the extra stuff that is in the car? I mean the engine is the only piece of the car that is worth anything? like WTF???


WOW... You people need to stop whining. IF you don't want a shuffle, then don't by it. If you want to complain about MBPs then don't complain about shuffles.

[sananda]

Check all the other iPods, accessories... hell, Macs themselves. Are those "just double?" No.

i have no idea what you're talking about.

UK price today is the same as UK price yesterday. US price today is $30 less than US price yesterday. Now you have a choice: You can whine, or you can think about why that is. Maybe the UK Apple Store is a bit slower in changing the price than the US Apple Store?


yes, i think we have already established that the uk price is being reduced from £49 to £32.

[Airforce]

OMG, I went and saw this nice car for 15000 dollars... I mean like WTF? The engine is only worth 5000?? Like how on earth do they justify 10000 for all the extra stuff that is in the car? I mean the engine is the only piece of the car that is worth anything? like WTF???


WOW... You people need to stop whining. IF you don't want a shuffle, then don't by it. If you want to complain about MBPs then don't complain about shuffles.

Stop whining about the whining? ;)

[WyoMac]

The refurbished shuffles are still selling today for the same $49. I wonder when the price will drop on those.

[milo]

Right, because I watch movies on my iPod shuffle all the time. ;)

Actually, I wish they did support movie playback to an external screen, either via the headphone port or usb. That would be very cool.

And what do you get, in your opinion? Besides a 1GB memory stick with a headphone plug?

I think that's enough for many people. Are there many mp3 players that offer that much more for that cheaper? Looking online, I saw a couple models that had a gig for $39, not much of a savings.

[Royale w/cheese]

Your Shopping Cart

This cart qualifies for free shipping.

Items in your cart:
iPod shuffle - Blue

Quantity:
1
Item Price:
$49.00

Cart Subtotal:
$49.00

Free Shipping:
$0.00

Est. Tax*:
$2.70

Est. Total:
$51.70

I think the shuffle is a free shipping item regardless of the $50 price mark.

Shipping still shows up as $4 in my cart. :confused:

[Loudwater]

Price of these things really drop fast...

[SheriffParker]

$49 for 1GB? Pretty much a rip off these days....

Not if you consider that it comes with Apple Headphones. I paid 29 bucks for a pair of those things after mine broke. :mad:

[devilot]

Shipping still shows up as $4 in my cart. :confused: Same here (not that I'm in the market for a shuffle, was just curious is all).


103899

[Tosser]

Not if you consider that it comes with Apple Headphones. I paid 29 bucks for a pair of those things after mine broke. :mad:

Haha, let me get that right:

You actually replaced the headphones that broke with like-for-like? And paid 29$ for 4 dollar headphones?

[Hattig]

Not if you consider that it comes with Apple Headphones. I paid 29 bucks for a pair of those things after mine broke. :mad:

Wow. The Apple headphones are rubbish (the number one negative in all iPod reviews, and especially comparisons). You'd have been better spending the money on even a cheap Sennheiser headset, like the PX100 or PX200.

[pacohaas]

Same here (not that I'm in the market for a shuffle, was just curious is all).


103899
weird, even with a california zip code, i get free shipping

edit: looks like it's just the blue and red ones...very weird, get one quick before they fix the glitch

[cloudnine]

I bought a 4GB SD card for like $29 at best buy last week. 1gb's were running like 10-15bucks.

What the? What does the price of a memory card have to do with the price of an ipod? Okay, so you got a 4gb card for $30... how much does the device it's going into cost? This is an absolutely retarded argument.

[cloudnine]

Yea the shuffles are small, but you have to carry a phone, you can have both in one package with better functionality with a $10 sd card.

for those of us that only use our shuffles at the gym, it's perfect. yeah, i have an iphone, but there's no way in hell i'd be caught on the treadmill or elliptical with it. i don't care how resilient it is, i don't want to see it flying across the gym because i yank it with my headphones.

[Tom B.]

It would be cool if they made a 2GB-exclusive black shuffle. I would buy that even though I already have a 1GB 1st generation shuffle and a 2nd generation shuffle.

Also, now that there are two different capacities, they will have to have the size written on the back. Where will that fit?

[fr33 loader]

Need help. Can't find the hole to plug my earphones on this $10 SD card. Did I buy the wrong brand? And I do hope MBP would never get updated this year. I just love reading all these whinings. Wooohoooo!

[latestmonkey]

Need help. Can't find the hole to plug my earphones on this $10 SD card. Did I buy the wrong brand? And I do hope MBP would never get updated this year. I just love reading all these whinings. Wooohoooo!

Just jam it in!!! Oh wait, did you get an SD card? You were supposed to get a CompUSA flash drive and drill a hole in it. There's no reason you should have to pay more than $10 (ok maybe $11) for an ipod shuffle! Those apple bastards are ripping people off. How dare they put a music player in a really cool case and make a profit on it.

Hey whiners - have you ever seen the Zen Stone Plus? It's ugly as sin.

[remingtonhill]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(

Sadly, no. All sales are final.

[zman911]

Wasn't the original iPod Shuffle also $49? I bought one and I'm pretty sure that was the price.

That would have been one heck of a deal in 2005!!! That would have saved me a hundred dollars the day it came out.

The first gen iPod Shuffle was released at MWSF 2005 in two models

512mb: for $99
1GB: for $149

The 2nd gen iPod Shuffle was released in Sept. 2006 with only one model

1GB: for $99

The price was later droped to $79

[johny5]

Hurrah! I use a 1gb for the gym already but will be buying the 2gb when it arrives! :D

[chicagostars]

For $49, you're getting $10-15 1GB flash, $10-15 earbud headphones, $5 aluminum case and a $1 clip, $5 USB connector plus one the smallest, but most functional MP3 players around.

So depending on how you look at it, Apple's making between $10 and $25 profit, minus the cost of shipping, manufactoring, etc.

I'd say its priced pretty well. Before I wouldn't of even though about buying one, but now it's defiently a possiblity.

Great points made. People can crow all about their 1GB flash storage devices, but say nothing about how you cannot interact with the information stored on it without being connected to another device (computer, phone, etc.) The aluminum shuffle has always been a great durable music player for use at the gym, running, etc. From being sweat soaked in 100 degree heat to being shot across a gym after falling on a treadmill (that was fun) my shuffle has taken abuse that I wouldn't subject another player or phone to. A break in price is a great development and only enhances the value of the device.

[Whorehay]

Might get one of these for the gym now... :)

[milo]

Sadly, no. All sales are final.

What? I don't think so, isn't there just a 10% restocking fee? And they often waive that when you buy right before a new model comes out.

If they don't let you exchange, at the very least they'll refund the difference in price.

[SinfonianShrek]

I've got a 2nd Gen 1 GB Shuffle and I love that little bastard. It's been through hell and back and still plays reliably for almost an entire day.

If it was dead by now I'd consider shelling out for another 1 GB model. As it stands I'm debating between a Touch and an Asus Eee PC for my next big portable purchase.

I give the Shuffles thumbs up for when you don't HAVE to be digging through your library like a nose miner seeking a shnoz boulder.

[MrT8064]

sweet, this'll mean the ebay price falls, which means i sould be able to find one for £23

[NEMMRRC]

Not if you consider that it comes with Apple Headphones. I paid 29 bucks for a pair of those things after mine broke. :mad:
If you take your broken iPod (any iPod) headphones to the Apple store they will exchange them for a new set FREE of charge. You don't even have to bring in your iPod. All you need is the broken headphones and Bob's your uncle.

[Nabooly]

This is LONG overdue :rolleyes:

[Royale w/cheese]

Same here (not that I'm in the market for a shuffle, was just curious is all).


103899

weird, even with a california zip code, i get free shipping

edit: looks like it's just the blue and red ones...very weird, get one quick before they fix the glitch

Refurb shuffles do qaulify for free shipping though. I guess thats one reason to get a refurb at the same price, saves $4. :D

[SPinc33]

hey guys and gals...

I bought a shuffle 6 days ago. does anybody know how one goes about getting the difference back? or how long they typically do that for? for the record, i'm in Germany, but I doubt that changes anything.

either way...i'm happy with my new running companion!

if you have any tips, please PM me!

[bloodycape]

Ok so


shuffle + earbuds = $49.99
earbuds = $29.99
Difference = 20 bucks

so if your buying just headphones for 29.99
(http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=3CAB62F7&fnode=home/shop_ipod/ipod_accessories/headphones&nplm=MA662G/B)

then just buy a shuffle for 20 dollars more!

Or I can get a better set of headphones for 30usd or even better for 50 or 60usd.

[M!K]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(

oh my god! that must be soooo frustrating!

[bloodycape]

Actually, I wish they did support movie playback to an external screen, either via the headphone port or usb. That would be very cool.



I think that's enough for many people. Are there many mp3 players that offer that much more for that cheaper? Looking online, I saw a couple models that had a gig for $39, not much of a savings.

Yeah but do you get more features? Like take the Sandisk Clip you can get a 2gb model, and it comes with a decent oled screen, fm radio(still useful for some as some cities broadcast sports on FM not to mention some gyms have tv broadcasted in FM) and a voice recorder to leave yourslef a memo. Not to mention the fact it is ums so it works with all computers including if your geeky friend has a linux box and he has a song you want. It has also be rated to have better sound than the Shuffle(then again it is suppose to be the best sounding product Sandisk actually makes). Additionally the clip does come in a 4gb model for 70-80usd.

[pacohaas]

I like the old shuffles, it sucks to have to carry around a cable if you want to use this thing as a USB-drive as well as a music player.

[Stridder44]

The 1GB shuffle for $50 is an awesome price. 2GB for $69 is even better. Wait, what's that? You can buy a 1GB SD card for $10? Are you seriously that thick?

First, it's an Apple product. Price is gonna naturally be a little higher (but worth it). Next, a 1GB SD card is just that. An SD card. Tack on the iPod part and, wow! It costs more!

I can't believe I have to explain this.

And no, it's perfect without a screen. It's meant for use with exercising, I mean you put the music on it in the first place so you should already know what's on your shuffle. Why do you think it's called the shuffle???

[ryannel2003]

I cannot believe all the whining up here... wait never mind yes I can. Happens every time Apple does a good thing for the people, similar to the iPhone $100 price drop. People starting crying, just get over it. It's technology, changes every damn day and we can't do anything about it.

I came really close to getting one a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sure glad I didn't. Now I have another great reason to add the Shuffle to my nano which I never use...:rolleyes:

[cameronjpu]

hey guys and gals...

I bought a shuffle 6 days ago. does anybody know how one goes about getting the difference back? or how long they typically do that for? for the record, i'm in Germany, but I doubt that changes anything.

either way...i'm happy with my new running companion!

if you have any tips, please PM me!

It's a huge secret. First, you go to the store. Second, you ask someone who works there.

Done!

[gnasher729]

hey guys and gals...

I bought a shuffle 6 days ago. does anybody know how one goes about getting the difference back? or how long they typically do that for? for the record, i'm in Germany, but I doubt that changes anything.

It doesn't change anything compared to being in Britain, because in both countries the price hasn't changed (yet), so there is no difference that you could get back.

[DrEasy]

My requirements for the ideal iPod Shuffle are:

- can be plugged in directly with no cable, just like the 1st gen used to;
- is as small as the 2nd gen;
- $49
- still no screen - the idea is that you can operate it without having to take it out of your pocket;
- manages multiple playlists: for example if you double-click on "next" it takes you to the next album;
- the previous requirement would then allow you to enjoy 2 GB worth of music. With the current interface it's not practical.

In the meantime I'm sticking to my first gen Shuffle.

[Cassie]

Darn it. This is what I wanted at that iPod conference back in September. I had $75 in hand, just waiting for a 2 GB shuffle. Sigh. Oh well, my 2 GB nano is pretty ok I guess.

manages multiple playlists: for example if you double-click on "next" it takes you to the next album;

That would really mess with me, since I often do 30-40 double taps in a row to get to a song a want (And I like that method)

[gnasher729]

Same here (not that I'm in the market for a shuffle, was just curious is all).

It would be bizarre but...

Could this depend on whether you have to pay sales tax or not? $49 + $2.70 tax is more than $50, so you get free shipping, but $49 without tax is less than $50, so you pay for shipping?

[pacohaas]

It would be bizarre but...

Could this depend on whether you have to pay sales tax or not? $49 + $2.70 tax is more than $50, so you get free shipping, but $49 without tax is less than $50, so you pay for shipping?no:

edit: looks like it's just the blue and red ones...very weird, get one quick before they fix the glitch

[Cassie]

It would be cool if they made a 2GB-exclusive black shuffle. I would buy that even though I already have a 1GB 1st generation shuffle and a 2nd generation shuffle.

Also, now that there are two different capacities, they will have to have the size written on the back. Where will that fit?

We do NOT need another "black tax"

[Tom B.]

We do NOT need another "black tax"

It would not be a black tax, it would just be a colour that is only available in the higher capacity model, the same as every colour of nano other than silver.

[sushi]

I am also waiting for a MBP update but I am not whining.
Thanks for your post.

It's amazing that folks complain about the MBP when this thread is about the 2GB Shuffle.

Now on topic - Its striking to me that we now have a 2GB shuffle. When these first came out the thought was along the lines that they had such small capacity that having no screen wouldn't be a problem. At what point does the storage capacity get too big to rely on random shuffling?
I love my 1GB Shuffle. If it broke today, I would pick up a 2GB one.

To me, the Shuffle has the biggest screen of all the iPods -- it's your computer! :)

So it is easy to set up your songs to play in the order you want. Or have iTunes randomly fill it. Plus you can always go to Shuffle mode with the songs you have loaded it you want to play them in a random order.

But what is really nice, is that I can load Podcasts. When in normal mode they play and when in Shuffle mode, I have it set to skip them.


- manages multiple playlists: for example if you double-click on "next" it takes you to the next album;
While I would like the possibility of multiple playlists, I would not like this implementation.

Maybe press and hold the "next" button for three seconds, then it would go to the next playlist. And then have the Shuffle confirm via audio the playlist that you are on.

[viccles]

I hope that nanos are next in line for a price cut. Don't think it will happen but I can wish :D

[Eluzion]

Damnit, I just bought one about a month ago too for the gym. Now they drop the price by nearly half and introduce a 2GB model that's still cheaper than the price I paid for the 1GB model. lol

[SeaFox]

Ha Ha. I just submitted this an hour ago. I didn't notice it was already up.

Nice price change. I have a 1GB first gen shuffle than has playback errors occasionally, and I'm tempted to update to the new form factor. But after slogging through 1GB of files looking for a certain track at times, I'm ready for a Nano so I can have a screen.

[Cassie]

Now that I look around, this looks like a better deal (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=17437&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8867)... Screen, built-in speaker, more memory....

[amanda kathryn]

Sad thing of it is, refurb shuffles are still listed on their site at $49 as of right now. Who will buy those if you can buy a new shuffle for $49?

me! because the new colors suck :(

i have a video and a touch and i've been tempted for a while to get a shuffle just for the cuteness factor, but the current colors and disappointing. the orange is great (pink would be ideal, but no such luck) but on a refurb you miss out on engraving. now that the prices are the same, i'm torn. i'm thinking the refurbs will drop soon, so i'll hold out a little longer. if they hit $39, i'll do it.

[SeaFox]

Now that I look around, this looks like a better deal (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=17437&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8867)... Screen, built-in speaker, more memory....

It's not hard to find digital audio players that look like a better deal on paper compared to the iPod. The iPod has always been about simplicity, ease of use, and (later on) compatibility with iTMS purchases.

[ReanimationLP]

This isnt too bad of a price.

It outta be competitive to the 1GB flash MP3 players that stores sell under their own labels, as well as the Phillips models and such.

Sure, those have a screen, but are much bigger. And the screens suck.

[thejakill]

why don't they make a black shuffle?

[JoshLV]

Damn! I just bought the 1GB yesterday for $80. This irritates me, but I can't complain about price cuts and innovation!

[cleanup]

Creative has a 2GB 1st gen Shuffle clone for $40 for all you naysayers:

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=17043

I might actually get one of these shuffles though. The 1GB one.. just to put my workout playlist on, which just happens to be my study playlist. Hey! Not bad! :)

[EricNau]

Damn! I just bought the 1GB yesterday for $80. This irritates me, but I can't complain about price cuts and innovation!
You are protected by Apple's 14-day price guarantee:
"Should Apple reduce its price on any shipped product within 14 calendar days of shipment, you may contact Apple Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or credit of the difference between the price you were charged and the current selling price. To receive the refund or credit you must contact Apple within 14 calendar days of the price change."
Link (http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html#topic-16)

[chr1s60]

And what do you get, in your opinion? Besides a 1GB memory stick with a headphone plug?

Exactly that, a memory card with controls and a headphone jack. Don't get me wrong, if you can find yourself a memory card with a headphone jack for cheaper then do it, but if you can't don't complain.

[iCantwait]

2GB is a lot of S*** to work through to get to a good song, but would make a good flash drive with a 3rd party direct connection to USB:rolleyes:

[sachxn]

Now I think every other company should stop producing iPod as with this lowering of the price Apple's market share will really explode.

Sachin (http://sql-plsql.blogspot.com)

[sushi]

Now that I look around, this looks like a better deal (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=17437&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8867)... Screen, built-in speaker, more memory....
Still prefer the Shuffle to something like this.

It's not hard to find digital audio players that look like a better deal on paper compared to the iPod. The iPod has always been about simplicity, ease of use, and (later on) compatibility with iTMS purchases.
Exactly.

2GB is a lot of S*** to work through to get to a good song, but would make a good flash drive with a 3rd party direct connection to USB:rolleyes:
I believe I saw a nice small adapter at the local electronics store. Going to check it out this weekend.

[DrEasy]

That would really mess with me, since I often do 30-40 double taps in a row to get to a song a want (And I like that method)


While I would like the possibility of multiple playlists, I would not like this implementation.

Maybe press and hold the "next" button for three seconds, then it would go to the next playlist. And then have the Shuffle confirm via audio the playlist that you are on.
OK, points taken! Another option could be to have a "playlist mode", where pressing "next" (resp. "previous") takes you to the next (resp. previous) playlist.

I'm sure if Apple really wanted to, they could come up with a nice an easy solution, but I suspect they don't want to cannibalize the sales of the Nano.

[cleanup]

OK, points taken! Another option could be to have a "playlist mode", where pressing "next" (resp. "previous") takes you to the next (resp. previous) playlist.

I'm sure if Apple really wanted to, they could come up with a nice an easy solution, but I suspect they don't want to cannibalize the sales of the Nano.

Personally, I don't think adding a one-or-two line OLED screen and keeping the capacity of the Shuffle at 2 GB and the Nano at 4 GB would cannibalize sales at all. It'd probably boost them.

I know a lot of people who just don't have that much music, and so an iPod, even a nano, is not the ideal investment for them, and they end up going with a 512-1GB flash player from Sony or Creative or a similar company (which costs max $120 or so). They don't buy the Shuffle simply because it doesn't have a screen.

[milo]

Now that I look around, this looks like a better deal (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=17437&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8867)... Screen, built-in speaker, more memory....

Not more memory for the price, 2 gigs is $59. It's also around twice the size and weight of a shuffle.

Creative has a 2GB 1st gen Shuffle clone for $40 for all you naysayers:

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=17043

Maybe a clone of the original shuffle. It's way bigger than the current shuffle and over four times the weight - that's a "shuffle" that weighs about 50% more than the nano.

2GB is a lot of S*** to work through to get to a good song, but would make a good flash drive with a 3rd party direct connection to USB:rolleyes:

Smart playlists, my friend. Smart playlists.

[Quillz]

OMG. i just bought a shuffle yesterday!!! can i exchange for a 2gb??!!!!:(:(:(:(Never buy Apple hardware on Monday, apparently.

[skyrider007]

I just bought a 1GB purple shuffle today (for 32 quids/US$64). Can't wait to get it, my iPod collection is ever expanding!

[LizKat]

I like the 1Gb shuffle because it's so easy to load up with favorites. For 2Gb it starts being a chore deciding what to select, since you basically have one playlist and either run it through or shuffle it. Small list on shuffle is good!

On Apple Store, I just saw they have some 1st gen 1Gb black and white nanos in the refurb section for $59, that's a really great deal; they won't last long. They don't clip on like a shuffle but I always liked the 1st gen form and the 1Gb limit is fine for a grab and go iPod. With a screen!

[bloodycape]

Now that I look around, this looks like a better deal (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=17437&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8867)... Screen, built-in speaker, more memory....

Decent at best. Even creative fans have said it. Now the Sandsik Clip is a better value than the shuffle and the Stone. It has better sound and has a clip. Not to mention FM radio, ums support, voice recorder and a screen.

[amanda kathryn]

On Apple Store, I just saw they have some 1st gen 1Gb black and white nanos in the refurb section for $59, that's a really great deal; they won't last long. They don't clip on like a shuffle but I always liked the 1st gen form and the 1Gb limit is fine for a grab and go iPod. With a screen!

damn, i got really excited when i saw this and hurried over, but alas they are no more :(

i seriously in no way need another iPod, it's just become a collecting obsession at this point.

[Niiro13]

Oh snap! $30 price cut...

Shuffle isn't worth it at $79...nope...

But then again, it's not worth it at $49...maybe for the size...then again, I like to be able to see the songs when I'm browsing.

[Cassie]

Maybe a clone of the original shuffle. It's way bigger than the current shuffle and over four times the weight - that's a "shuffle" that weighs about 50% more than the nano.
Uh.. that's what he said. It's a 1G clone.

And I'd buy it if it weren't so damn ugly.

[tuxtpenguin]

Figures. I just bought a 1GB model for my nephew for Christmas.

[pacohaas]

I just got the email from apple announcing the price cut and it says "All new iPods come with free engraving and free shipping" so perhaps they got those bugs worked out and they're all free shipping now.

[builtLordtough@]

i didn't see this posted... the silver, green and purple refurbished shuffles are now $39. the blue is still $49.

this is a nice price drop!

[biturbomunkie]

how is one supposed to navigate 2gb of music on a shuffle?

[amanda kathryn]

just saw the refurbs are $39, and they had a pink one, they never have pink! so i got one, lol. so unnecessary, but i didn't know why i'd have a chance at a pink one again.

[Evangelion]

how is one supposed to navigate 2gb of music on a shuffle?

Easy: create a playlist that only contains music you only want to listen to. That way you do not have to "navigate" it. At worst you have to hit "next" every now and then. If you want the capability to select artists/albums/sings on the go, then the shuffle is not for you.

Also, keep in mind that if you move to iTunes+ and/or start encoding at higher bitrate, the actual capacity of the shuffle stays the same when compared to 1GB shuffle filled with low-bitrate music.

[!¡ V ¡!]

i agree, i just bought 2 gigs minisd for $10 for a cell phone which i can easily control what songs i play (from a screen).

Yea the shuffles are small, but you have to carry a phone, you can have both in one package with better functionality with a $10 sd card.

MacBook Pros!!!!

Agreed, I have a mobile phone and I can max it out with 2GB microSD cards, and expand it to my hearts delight. Flexibility and expandability in one package and as a bonus it has a screen with all the extras.

Hope the iPhone and iPod Touch has a microSD slot for this very reason.

Apple will never do it, as it might cannibalize the iPod market. So for now, I am happy with my mobile phone solution. :)

It's about time! And that's not so much for the 2GB model, but for dropping the price. The pricepoint is now pretty much right imo.

Disagree, the price is too high, for $49 USD, Apple should give the 2GB Shuffle as they get bulk pricing and they have been milking the Shuffle market for some time now that they have recouped they cost(s). :p

Don't take it personally. Apple has no idea who you are, and doesn't give a toss either. So it can't be personal :)

Disagree, Apple cares who they customers are. As without customers the company will fail in some regard. Look at the keynotes and you will see that Steve Jobs is trying hard to reassure stockholders and customers about they market share and progress, as they know without customer Apple will not succeed. Apple does not need to know you by name or on some personal level, you are a number to them as they are dealing with thousands if not million on an annual bases, worldwide.

Don't beat yourself about it. ;)

I'm going to hold out for the "3G" shuffle!:)

After having multiple iPod in the past fail after a couple years, and being restricted to the size of the device, I have opted for a miniSD swap solution of 2GB max per card on my mobile phone. I find I have BlueTooth options that the iPod still does not have and other little features.

It does the job well enough, for me not to consider an iPod at present. :)

The thing I really love is how Apple keep forgetting to pass these price drops on to the other side of the Atlantic.

Think $49 is alot for a 1gb player? Try £49 ($95.63), because that's what it still says on apple.com/uk.

They haven't put the Apple TV down either, so it's still £199 ($388) for the 40gb one.

Apple can only lower it prices so much, its the VAT (Value Added Tax) that is discouraging. Thinking I could capitalize on the strength of my local currency, and decided to find a bargain on some Apple products overseas while on vacation in India, I learnt that I was better off buying the product in my local market as it was cheaper as it did not include VAT.

If the VAT was either lowered or removed, we would see gains across the board and maybe more market acceptance of Apple products.

[MacBook-Gal]

I started to get one the other day from BestBuy, but now I'm very glad that I waited. I will probably get the 2GB model now if I decide to go with the shuffle over the Nano.

[NC MacGuy]

RATS! Glad price went down but bought 20 on Black Friday engraved for trade show giveaways. Now I'll look like a cheap bstrd! I'll just tell recipients mine are better because they are the $79 ones....

[pacohaas]

RATS! Glad price went down but bought 20 on Black Friday engraved for trade show giveaways. Now I'll look like a cheap bstrd! I'll just tell recipients mine are better because they are the $79 ones....

yeah, never "stock up" on tech stuff, especially not from Apple where you don't get a bulk deal anyway.

[wallaby]

I bought a 1G 512mb Shuffle when they first came out...$99 for an iPod was a big deal back then. At least the old shuffles could double their use as thumb drives. Sure, you can save files onto any iPod, but only the 1G shuffles could do so without any extra cables/docks.

Still, mine sits in disuse...my video iPod ousted it. :(

[johnmcboston]

Saw the 2GB models are on the store today. Really disappointed that they're the same bland colors as the current offerings. Kinda kills my desire to get a 2GB right away :( I'll have to wait until the next color suite comes out.

[Eidorian]

1 GB refurbished for $41.34 and free shipping. :D

[amanda kathryn]

1 GB refurbished for $41.34 and free shipping. :D

the fedex man just dropped off my pink one about 20 minutes ago, it's syncing right now :cool:

[johny5]

why don't they make a black shuffle?

what a good point! black would be "uber"!

[billysea]

Why does all portable players maker have against the color YELLOW?
PSP (expect the Simpson special edition in Europe), NDS, Zune, iPod etc every company is avoiding yellow color on the hardware... I think yellow would be very very nice.

[Dimwhit]

Why does all portable players maker have against the color YELLOW?
PSP (expect the Simpson special edition in Europe), NDS, Zune, iPod etc every company is avoiding yellow color on the hardware... I think yellow would be very very nice.

I still like the idea of a Yellow Submarine iPod with all the Beatles music preloaded (or at least a good portion of it).