2GB and 4GB iPod Shuffles? (Unlikely)

[MacRumors]

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

Digitimes claims (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050527A8037.html) that according to manufacturing sources, Toshiba and Samsung Electronics are planning on aggressively ramping up 8Gbit flash chip production in the coming months.

The reason is cited to be Apple's plans to introduce 2GB and 4GB versions of the iPod Shuffle "this June and August".

Apple presently offers 512MB and 1GB versions of the iPod Shuffle.

Digitimes continues to publish reports but has remained consistently inaccurate with their rumors in the past.

[arn]

only posted because digitimes is frequently cited around the mac web... despite their poor record.

arn

[Lacero]

I wouldn't mind a 4GB shuffle as long as it has the ability to navigate more than one playlist. Perhaps add a center button?

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I can see there could be a small marked for the 2 GB, but wouldn't the 4 GB be more expensive than the mini? And even if I sometimes shuffle through the 6-700 songs I typically have on my mini, the screen and ability to choose certain playlists is very nice when you got that many songs on it. The mini just makes more sense when we're talking sizes much larger than 1 GB...

[Piarco]

At even 2GB I would think a screen would be necessary, and definately at 4GB. But then, what of the Mini? They'd need a corresponding hike - 8 and 10GB minis?
I agree with the title..... very very unlikely....

[Jesus]

This would be a maketing release, not a useful one. If you were to buy a 2gb or 4gb shuffle, it would make more sense to buy a mini :D

[SiliconAddict]

OK. Its going to be asked so we may as well get it out of the way: Why isn’t this page two considering the source?

I’d like to believe this but seriously. Why? At that size you would be eating into the Mini. Personally I think the max you would want to go is 1.5GB. Then jump to 5GB or so with a screen. Honestly, as someone else pointed out, anything above a GB really does need a screen. You aren’t talking a few CD’s at that point. It really is a collection.

[gamestriker]

No way in hell. Its that simple. If Apple were to update the shuffle, it would be only to 2GB, so the lineup would be a 1GB at $99 and a 2GB at $149. Apple does realize that anything beyond 2GB needs a screen, plus its meant to be an entry level iPod. And like it was said, there would have to be a correspoding mini update, which would be likely to 6GB and 8GB minis, at $199 and $249, respectively. This kind of update would be announced at Macworld more likely than anything.

[asif786]

seems like a crock of **** to me.. :D (sorry, i've always wanted to use that phrase..)

anyway, we all know digitimes have a poor record, and i cant see people going through 1000 songs without a screen / clickwheel - it would just be *too* frustrating.

move on people, nothing to see here..

oh, and while we're talking about digitimes, where's my 15" widescreen ibook...yeah, exactly.

also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?

[Windowlicker]

Well, if I could have a 2Gb Shuffle for $200, it would sound like a good deal. I still use my ipod (g3 15gb) mostly by letting it shuffle for me.

But 4Gb would definitely be an overkill.

[Lacero]

If they can squeeze 40GB into the mini form factor, then I would say drop the regular iPods, they are too big. The shuffle is fine the way it is, but perhaps lower the price, or add an additional 10 hours battery life. Oh, btw, Apple should try to aim for 30 hours battery life on the iPod mini.

[Porchland]

Digitimes continues to publish reports but has remained consistently inaccurate with their rumors in the past.

Yet, mysteriously, this is a Page One rumor.

[denm316]

also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?


AGREED...I think the normal iPod should be gone and the iPod photo should become the normal iPod. Color screens should just be standard. I look forward to buying an iPod mini with a color screen and photo capability.

[hcorf]

or maybe this could become just like an ipod mini, but smaller, and with a crazily high battery life?

[Brandon Sharitt]

While I'm with most people that this rumor is likely very false. I wouldn't be surprised to see flash based minis in the future.

[Frisco]

2 & 4 Gigs seems too much for a mp3 player without a screen, but it's useful if you use that extra space for portable storage.

Still I doubt it.

[G5isAlive]

Actually, I like the idea of a 2 gb shuffle because I use it not JUST as a MP3 player but it has replaced my flash drive for work... My kids think I am cool because I wear it around my neck and I no longer worry about where my data is. I had a tendency to misplace my flash drive. I never misplace my shuffle.

Oh yeah, and it plays music too. How cool.

2Gb, 4 Gb, bring em on. I will still download just 20 or 50 songs, but cycle through them according to mood.

[tamtam]

We can only hope that this rumor is correct. I will put in a order as soon as it is introduced.

[sonofpismo]

Probably is false.

HOWEVER

I have a shuffle and love it ... is is my favorite Apple product ever, if not consumer product in general. I wouldn't mind being able to squeeze a few more song on my shuffle. I 99% of the time use it in shuffle mode, and so no need for a screen. (I sort by recently added and have my newest tracks at the beginning).

A 2GB shuffle would be perfect. and a 1GB shuffle for only $99 would be sweet as well. A 512MB really is not much, I bought one for my mom, and she filled it up instantly.

I hope it is not true that this will be the "forgotten iPod" ... and at least one increase in GBs would be nice.

[Swinny]

Cant see how it would make sense to put that much storage in a shuffle - from both financial and usability points of view.

It does make sense that maybe they could squeeze them into an iPod mini though if the cos compared to the HDs made sense...massively improve battery life and with a fair drop in form-factor available.

...so if there is any truth in the rumour, I would hope they've got their shuffle's mixed up with their minis.

[zelmo]

Page One?

Anyway, I'm all for Apple upping spec's on all hardware, but the Shuffle might not be so viable with much more than the 1GB storage it now has, unless there's a screen in it's future.
One of the chief selling points for me about the Shuffle is it's entry level price. If Apple can up capacity to 2GB and 4GB, add the suddenly-really-critical-to-have screen, AND keep it at $99 and $149, I'm all for it.

I cry BS.

[G5isAlive]

Probably is false.


Actually, I would call it inevitable. Perhaps false this summer, but price always comes down and storage always go up. When the chips are cheap enough we WILL see a 2gb shuffle. No reason not to. Heck at some point the 512 chips wont be cost effective to make.

Remember when 128 flash drives were thought to be more than enough?

[Mord]

it's being ramped up for these (http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,120950,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp), shuffles may or may not be true but they are not the reason for the chip ramping up.

[barneygumble]

At the moment this is rubbish, a 4gb flash unless they remove the mini or up it to 10gb this is wrong :cool:

[Sharewaredemon]

I agree with the others on this site saying that 1 GB and 2GB seems more likely. I'm waiting till the end of the summer to get a Shuffle, and it would be cool if they replaced the 512 with 1GB (not waiting for an update to buy it, just gonna buy it then so you guys don't have to tell me to buy it now and be happy with it ;) )

[howard]

my feeling is they can do whatever they want with a "high end" shuffle, but please please keep the 512 and 1 gig cheap...even cheaper...eventually. Just like you can by a cd player for 100-200... or just 20-30.

[SPUY767]

also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?

No, I don't.

http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/

[DavidCL23]

Dude, it makes sense. The ipod mini can store 2X the flash memory as a shuffle inside it's internals. Ie, the next mini will also use flash memory and have double the capacity of the shuffles.

[kjr39]

Seems like it would not fit into the product placement for the Shuffle...

I'd be really surprised if they did release a Shuffle to compete with the mini....

[longofest]

Looks like it would have worked better on Page 2

[Sirus The Virus]

This would be expensive.

[jcshas]

I love my 1GB shuffle, but, anything larger than that would be pain in the a** to navigate through without a screen. Maybe Apple will use these new higher capacity flash drives in the next line of iPod mini's???

[mac 2005]

Actually, I like the idea of a 2 gb shuffle ...


Agreed. I have been waiting to buy a Shuffle until the 2gb model is introduced. 1 gb just isn't enough for the number of songs I'd like to have on the unit, which I would dedicate for working out at the gym, Rollerblading, etc. 480 songs would guarantee a good mix of songs -- and I could still let them play at random because, honestly, there are that many songs I have to have with me at all times.

[Mord]

those 1GB chips cost $55 to make let alone the money that samsung makes on selling them to apple. for a 6GB mini that would be $330 just on the memory and with no profit for samsung

[Stella]

Have digitimes ever been right?

The shuffle is one of the least expensive mp3 players around.. apple should keep it that way.

The Shuffle has been very successful, shoving in more memory for the sake of it, would be a mistake.

The shuffle should always be price competitive, as it is now.

[rockthecasbah]

Am I the only one here who thinks the prospects of larger shuffles are stupid? What's the point of having more songs if you don't have a screen or the ability to navigate through those 2GBs like a normal iPod?

[Sharewaredemon]

Have digitimes ever been right?

The shuffle is one of the least expensive mp3 players around.. apple should keep it that way.

The Shuffle has been very successful, shoving in more memory for the sake of it, would be a mistake.

The shuffle should always be price competitive, as it is now.


I agree, if anything they could lower the price to stay competitive.

[sparks9]

Should definitely be on page 2.
No point in this.


:)

[legacyb4]

Ditto. While an 8GB shuffle is kind of any oxymoron (just how many songs in a day can you shuffle through?), a flash-based Mini would be a good replacement for an HD-based one since your rate of repairs on HDs would probably be significantly less.

Apple's already conditioned the buyer to look past the "gosh, an iPod is so expensive" mentality so upselling a flash-based player as a replacement for the same capacity HD-based player shouldn't be too hard.

While I'm with most people that this rumor is likely very false. I wouldn't be surprised to see flash based minis in the future.

[Mechcozmo]

The theory of the Shuffle falls apart beyond 1 GB... 1.5 GB is a good max but otherwise the Shuffle can't really do much but get a longer battery life in terms of upgradability.

[Multimedia]

Actually, I would call it inevitable. Perhaps false this summer, but price always comes down and storage always go up. When the chips are cheap enough we WILL see a 2gb shuffle. No reason not to. Heck at some point the 512 chips wont be cost effective to make.

Remember when 128 flash drives were thought to be more than enough?
I agree with you G5. Seems like this summer would be about the right time for this change to take place. I have been waiting for higher capacity Shuffles since the introduction. I think this rumor is probably true. :)

[macnews]

As others have said, I think this may end up in the mini vs a shuffle. I just can not imagine not having a screen to sort through even 4gb of songs. Granted, Apple may find a new innovative way to do this but until that is announced I think the flash based mini option is better. Plus, with the flash memory it could be made even thinner.

I think the one thing that makes this so likely as not to happen is the fact the shuffle is designed to hit a certain price point. I highly doubt that even with the numbers of shuffles selling Apple could negotiate a price under $150 for 4GB flash. To charge $200 would move the shuffle out of its price range for what most people look for.

[Windowlicker]

also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?

Talk about selling those things. We actually have to be continuously checking what accessories are included when selling an ipod because the specs change all the time. Gives the customer a very professional feel doesn't it?! :P

[colocolo]

I'm sure they're ramping up production of 8Gbit flash memory... as it is currently being used in the bigger iPod Shuffles!

[joecool85]

Everyone keeps mentioning that if they up the Shuffle to 1gb and 2gb (or higher) that Apple would have to release a larger (storage) mini. What's wrong with this? I could go for a 8gb mini. That's actually what I really really want. Luckily it works out well that I'm going to be broke for a while with other things I need, so by the time I get the money to blow on it, it should be out :D (in a year or so)

[JzzTrump22]

That would be pretty cool if they did up the space, i would actually consider buying one.

[Blackheart]

8 gigaBITs = 1 gigaBYTE

Could be a typo... or just an unnecessary article.

[revjay]

Hmmm...an 8GB shuffle...that means I would get to listen to my favourite songs how many times in a month?
More than 1GB needs control to select playlists

This is BS...but perhaps we will see a shuffle "window"...a shuffle with a screen barely big enough to see.

[Xtremehkr]

If they could replace the hard drive in the MiniPods it would reduce the size and increase the battery life. I don't see how you can pack much more into a shuffle though.

[Sharewaredemon]

If they could replace the hard drive in the MiniPods it would reduce the size and increase the battery life. I don't see how you can pack much more into a shuffle though.

I can see that happening sometimes in the next few years

[1984]

If only Apple put as much effort into upgrading their computer lineup.



also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?


No, I don't.

http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/

Whoa. I saw the various players at the top of the screen and thought that was way too many models. Then I realized you can click the arrow to the right of them to reveal two more pages. It's insane.

[whw5]

BAD IDEA. For me, the shuffle is attractive because I am forced to only put songs that I actually enjoyed on it. When you have 2GB, suddenly you feel the need to put a lot more songs on it, and suddenly, that awsome 120 song playlist becomes a somewhat crappy 500 song playlist. Even if it did have a screen, who would want to navigate so many songs on such a tiny screen? Thats just my two cents.

[Mord]

your forgetting flash disk use, the main thing that would put me off a shuffle is how much is available as a disk i have about 300MB of stuff on my iomega micro mini usb key and i'd have to buy a 1GB shuffle and that laves me with no more space than my current drive if i have 512MB of music.

[iGuy]

When I purchased my Sony PSP earlier this year, I was told that the Sony Memory Sticks would be up to 4GB within this calander year.

If I recall correctly, the sales rep was speaking specifically about the Memory Stick Duo, not the smaller and more expensive Duo Pro that the PSP uses.

However, it may help put this rumour in perpsective. Or not. :)

~iGuy

[altman]

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

Digitimes claims (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050527A8037.html) that according to manufacturing sources, Toshiba and Samsung Electronics are planning on aggressively ramping up 8Gbit flash chip production in the coming months.

The reason is cited to be Apple's plans to introduce 2GB and 4GB versions of the iPod Shuffle "this June and August".


Errr, the 1GB Shuffle *already has* an 8Gbit flash chip in it. The 512MB one has a 4Gbit chip in there. If you want a 4GByte shuffle, you need to find room for four chips, and there's really only room for one in the current design.

The 8Gbit chip currently has four 2Gbit dies in the same package, though the new 8Gbit ones are made with two 4Gbit dies (= a few dollars cheaper).

[danielsan26]

I too think this is bologna, but EVENTUALLY apple is going to have to go to lossless across the board, making a 2 or 4 GB shuffle filled with lossless files able to hold a comparable number of songs to the current ones holding AAC's. I know my 40GB clickwheel certainly doesn't hold 10,000 songs of my purely lossless library. I peg the multiple GB shuffles as being many years away, definitely not until after the store goes lossless.

[CubaTBird]

i don't think this will happen because it just doesn't seem very apple like.. the shuffle is built for the low end consumer and not for the high end consumer.. and that is how it works.. or at least how i see it

[iSwift]

Digitimes sucks. Anyone remember the rumors they started about how Apple was going to be releasing PowerBooks AND iBooks with G5s? I wouldn't believe it. Besides, I'm plenty happy with my 1G Shuffle.

[amac4me]

It will be interesting to see what Apple does ... they'll have to walk a fine line as they don't want to take away sales of the 4GB mini. A 2GB sounds interesting but one has to speculate on the price.

Possible prices that I anticipate:

512MB $89
1GB $129
2GB $169
4GB $199
6GB $249

Price a 2GB a bit closer in price to the 4 GB so people are most likely to spend more ... my thinking is as follows ... if you price the 2GB closer to the 4GB's price of $199 shoppers will think it's a better to deal to spend either $169 or $199 for the additional capacity than the $129 for the 1GB. This will bring in more revenue for the bottom line and it's likely that the higer priced models have a higher margain. Then phase out the 1 Gb over time.

[DPazdanISU]

u know what this means don't u guys? this means macrumors and other similar websites are strugglilng to find good information about WWDC- i mean this source is crap. I might as well say special edition star wars ipod (lightsaber included) June 6th... trust me im credible :rolleyes:

[kirk26]

Also posted on Macnn's page.

[VicMacs]

Hmmm...an 8GB shuffle...that means I would get to listen to my favourite songs how many times in a month?
More than 1GB needs control to select playlists

This is BS...but perhaps we will see a shuffle "window"...a shuffle with a screen barely big enough to see.


i dont see how a little calculator screen would cost apple more than 2 - 3 dollars each .. just a little line to see whats playing

[VanNess]

i dont see how a little calculator screen would cost apple more than 2 - 3 dollars each .. just a little line to see whats playing

If they manage to come up with something that looks exactly like this...

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24307&stc=1

that would be pretty cool. I'd buy one :)

[shamino]

I don't think a 2G or 4G shuffle is going to happen. They'd have to sell them for the same price as the minis - which hold more and have a display.

I could, however, see them replacing the 4G mini's hard drive with 4G of flash. That would be really nice - all the features and no chance of head-crashes.

But I don't think even that is likely in the short time frame this rumor is claiming.

[neildmitchell]

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

Digitimes claims (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20050527A8037.html) that according to manufacturing sources, Toshiba and Samsung Electronics are planning on aggressively ramping up 8Gbit flash chip production in the coming months.

The reason is cited to be Apple's plans to introduce 2GB and 4GB versions of the iPod Shuffle "this June and August".

Apple presently offers 512MB and 1GB versions of the iPod Shuffle.

Digitimes continues to publish reports but has remained consistently inaccurate with their rumors in the past.

NO NO NO! Why even bother with a shuffle that has 8Gigs, the idea of shuffle was for it to be cheap and inexpensive, an introductory product for the tight on cash and/or to lure in the iPod curious.

Today you can get the 1G Shuffle for $149, and then jump to the 4G mini for $199. Why bother with the 1G mini when for $50 moreyou can get a mini with 3G of space more. Why a $50 price difference, probably in the hope that people do compare shop, go for the next step up that is within reach, have a better user experience than if they had bought the lower model, become returning Apple customers....

[AndrewMT]

Can I have a screen on my iPod Shuffle? While Apple claims that no screen was the best solution for the iPod shuffle, I just think they gave up on it.

[Sharewaredemon]

Can I have a screen on my iPod Shuffle? While Apple claims that no screen was the best solution for the iPod shuffle, I just think they gave up on it.

I think the lack of screen is what enable Apple to sell their flash based mp3 player for cheeper than the competition on a storage comparison.

How many 1GB players can you get for 150?

[bretm]

FWIW the also reported this on CNBC this morning when they talked about apple stock and their future, etc. They specifically mentioned 2 GB and 4 GB shuffles expected soon.

[dotdotdot]

1,000 songs would require a screen

[Dr.Gargoyle]

I believe that iPod Shuffle will eventually go 2Gb and 4Gb, but by that time it will probably be redesigned such that it comes with a small screen. As the previous poster said, 1000 songs requires a screen.... or one h*ll of a memory. :p

[marmotte]

We can only hope that this rumor is correct. I will put in a order as soon as it is introduced.

You see that's the problem with these rumor sites: bottom line they hurt Apple's sales. That's bad for everyone.

[Lacero]

You see that's the problem with these rumor sites: bottom line they hurt Apple's sales. That's bad for everyone.Really?

[AidenShaw]

How many 1GB players can you get for 150?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4324145

1 GB, FM radio, recorder (voice, FM and line-in)
2 line screen

$139 with $20 rebate to make it $119

[graphyte]

Whoa. I saw the various players at the top of the screen and thought that was way too many models. Then I realized you can click the arrow to the right of them to reveal two more pages. It's insane.

I really don't know how these guys sell anything... (actually, do they sell something?? :p) their web site sucks sooo much... and they could do like Apple, on the top of the page put a banner explaining a few features, but instead they use an animation that changes every 2 seconds, and you can't read anything...! :eek: :confused:
The ZEN is so ugly! :rolleyes: :D

[Mtn Tamale]

One of two things:

$79 512MB Shuffle
$149 1GB Shuffle with display
$199 4GB Mini
$249 6 GB Mini

Pretty much like normal, or:

$99 1GB Shuffle, maybe with screen
$149 2GB Shuffle, maybe with screen
$199 6GB Mini, getting us ready for a 10GB mini later in the year
$249 20GB iPod gets color screen and photo capabilities.

I think that last plan is likely and is good as it gets this year, save some more changes in the high end configs for new capabilities.

Errr, the 1GB Shuffle *already has* an 8Gbit flash chip in it. The 512MB one has a 4Gbit chip in there. If you want a 4GByte shuffle, you need to find room for four chips, and there's really only room for one in the current design.

The 8Gbit chip currently has four 2Gbit dies in the same package, though the new 8Gbit ones are made with two 4Gbit dies (= a few dollars cheaper).

[raphaelbrennan]

I think if we saw upwards of 2GB we will see a flash device with a screen.

[fearless]

More likely I think is the eventual replacement in the iPod mini of the HD with a flash drive, perhaps using the space released by a chipset to increase battery capacity, allowing very long battery life.

Anything above 1GB becomes very difficult to manage without a screen. The Shuffle has a practical limit to its capacity, based on a user's inability to keep track of what's on it. The mini doesn't, and replacing the hard drive with flash is attractive.

[oskar]

I would expect to see iPod mini updates with a color screen before seeing the iPod Shuffle get close to the mini's capacity. There would need to be a good enough reason for the price difference.
Besides this is DigiTimes, so as everyone's said the info is not reliable.
What I hope to see at WWDC is anything besides iPod updates. We need more computing power, not more music devices...

[joel7687]

I suppose this is unlikely, but I might buy one. In addition to the Samsung solid-state disk mentioned above, the SanDisk Cruzer Mini is now available in 4GB capacity, for $400. A 4GB Shuffle would definitely be used for storage in addition to music, and I think the flexibility would be nice (would you rather have a flash drive, or a flash drive that plays music and has a nice, simple Apple design?). The 4GB Shuffle would not cut into the iPod Mini's market. If introduced right now, it would cost much more and still not have a screen. If later, the iPod Mini would already have a bigger hard drive.

By the way, I agree with oskar. What I really want is a PowerBook G5, and it's past time for an iBook update too, even if an iBook wouldn't be my first choice. What I meant in my above post was that I would buy one if I were rich, and most people who'd like to fill these devices up with music agree that a screen would be very important on a higher-capacity Shuffle-type device.

[pontecorvo]

What I like to say to PC fans that rip on Macs is this: Buy a Mac, use it for a year, and come back to me. Then if you still don't like Macs then at least you have supporting evidence, however I doubt that will be the case!:
Who in their right mind would take you up on this offer? Did you even bother to think this through before you made this your signature?

"At least you have supporting evidence"? Like that would be any consolation to someone?

[w_parietti22]

also, does anyone else think the ipod lineup is getting a bit too complex?

i mean, i'm all for choice but when you change the lineup every 3 months it kinda gets a bit annoying..no?

Agreed! But, I think have 512mb, 1gb, 4gb, 6gb, 20gb, 30gb, and 60gb and price ranges from $99-$449 allows more people to have an iPod.

Maybe losing the U2 iPod would help a bit. (Sorry U2 fans)

instead of a 2gb iPod Shuffle (screen or w/o screen) I would rather see something in between the 6gb and 20gb... Its just a kinda a huge leep and it would be nice to see something that can even that out. Maybe they should bring back the 10gb iPod?

[zap2]

i really doubt a 4gb maybe a 2 and a 1 but 4gb would make the mini pointless unless u realy want that screen

[LGRW3919]

i really doubt a 4gb maybe a 2 and a 1 but 4gb would make the mini pointless unless u realy want that screen

agreed. why have a 4 GB shuffle that's more expensive than an 4 GB ipod mini (with more features). also i just wish apple starts putting more features into the ipods (radio or built in voice recording, for example) for the same prices.

[1984]

What I hope to see at WWDC is anything besides iPod updates. We need more computing power, not more music devices...

Thank you!

[Hugh]

I don't seeing this happening. Who would buy a 4mb MP3 player that you can't select what song you want and stuff $150-180 (guess based on current prices). When you can get a 4mb mini for $199 with all the features you would want with that kind of space. They would have to drop the price.

Now watch I say 'no way' and it come out like next month! LOL

-Hugh

i really doubt a 4gb maybe a 2 and a 1 but 4gb would make the mini pointless unless u realy want that screen

A 2mb version maybe, I can see that. But not a 4mb version, not with the Mini prices and features.

-Hugh

[1984]

If they added a screen to the iPod Shuffle it would no longer be an iPod Shuffle. With a screen the shuffle feature becomes redundant. There's no point in calling it that anymore. Anything more than 1GB is without a screen is pushing it too so yes, the iPod mini would be a good candidate. However, I can see Apple releasing an all new player in between the Shuffle and the mini instead or perhaps we will have 2GB and 4GB iPod minis with the grayscale screen and 6GB and 10GB iPod minis with a color screen.

[stephenli]

i do not believe. how much it will cost? a 4GB shuffle more expensive than 4GB iPod mini?! well...
if Apple maintain the price of current shuffles and upgrade it to 2 / 4GB, I should be very pleased to buy.
well thats impossible, at least, at this point of time.
flash memory is not that cheap

[tex210]

is frequently longer than 6 hours. My coworkers would surely appreciate not hearing the same song twice... so the 512 is out. Always would play random from a least recently played five star playlist, so the screen is irrelevant. 13 to 24 hours of music is great, but can the price stay low?

[DrEasy]

The fact is, flash memory will keep getting bigger and cheaper no matter what. The question is of course would it make sense in a Shuffle. I say yes if:

- you add the ability to play lossless;
- more importantly, you add a "skip playlist/album" button. No screen needed!
- and of course you can still use the spare room for your files. Imagine backing up Home on your Shuffle! :D

[solvs]

This is great news for anyone with an iPod!
Well, no. It would be great news for someone getting an iPod. But if you already have one, it's not so great. If this were true. Which it isn't. Of course, I just got a Shuffle, so I'm sure it will turn out to be true.

Who in their right mind would take you up on this offer? Did you even bother to think this through before you made this your signature?

"At least you have supporting evidence"? Like that would be any consolation to someone?
Oh, ok. Now I see what you're doing here. Kinda a little off-topic there aren't we?

On topic, maybe everyone who doesn't like iPods should try one for awhile. I thought the Shuffle was kinda dumb until I got one at Night Of The Tiger. Now I love it. More than I could say about the last flash player I had. It was one of those with a billion features and none of them worked right. Ironically, I sold my iPod Mini because it couldn't do voice recording. :p Something it turns out I never use. :rolleyes:

[asif786]

Agreed! But, I think have 512mb, 1gb, 4gb, 6gb, 20gb, 30gb, and 60gb and price ranges from $99-$449 allows more people to have an iPod.

Maybe losing the U2 iPod would help a bit. (Sorry U2 fans)

instead of a 2gb iPod Shuffle (screen or w/o screen) I would rather see something in between the 6gb and 20gb... Its just a kinda a huge leep and it would be nice to see something that can even that out. Maybe they should bring back the 10gb iPod?

i think..

512, 1gb, 2gb, 4gb, 20gb, 40gb, 60gb.

i think the 6gb mini is completely pointless. that's pointless. if you have more than 1000 songs but less than 1500 you should be buying a regular ipod anyway, because you'll go past 1500 sooner or later.

the 6gb mini was a mistake. sooner or later it's gonna get dropped, which is gonna confuse consumers even more..

[Hugh]

i think..

512, 1gb, 2gb, 4gb, 20gb, 40gb, 60gb.

i think the 6gb mini is completely pointless. that's pointless. if you have more than 1000 songs but less than 1500 you should be buying a regular ipod anyway, because you'll go past 1500 sooner or later.

the 6gb mini was a mistake. sooner or later it's gonna get dropped, which is gonna confuse consumers even more..

I agree, I think the 6mb iPod is kinda pointless. When I was shopping for my iPod I was originally thinking of getting the 6mb Mini, but then I thought about it and decided to get the 20mb. Even though at the time I didn't have enough music to go over the 5.xmb you get with the 6mb mini. I do now, (all legal) which pushes over.

They should have made a 10mb Mini (if they could), I would have bought that one instead.

Note: I am thinking about getting a Shuffle because of it's size. (Off topic) Can you recharge the unit without a computer like you get with an iPod?

-Hugh

[Platform]

Could be good....but they would cost too much I think :rolleyes: :confused:

[shamino]

Agreed! But, I think have 512mb, 1gb, 4gb, 6gb, 20gb, 30gb, and 60gb and price ranges from $99-$449 allows more people to have an iPod.

instead of a 2gb iPod Shuffle (screen or w/o screen) I would rather see something in between the 6gb and 20gb... Its just a kinda a huge leep and it would be nice to see something that can even that out.
Depends on how you look at the product line. Instead of looking at capacities, look at the prices:

$100 (512M), $150 (1G), $200 (4G), $250 (6G), $300 (20G), $350 (30G), $450 (60G).

Aside from the largest model, there's a uniform progression of price points. What would Apple gain by slipping a new model in between the 6G mini and the 20G iPod, when the difference in price between those two models is $50. Would people prefer a 10G model for $275? instead of a 20G model at $300? I wouldn't count on it.

It's more likely that we'll see the mini capacities go up (6G and 10G) at the same price points first. When Hitachi announced the 6G microdrive that the mini uses, they also announced 10G capacities by the end of 2005. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple started shipping minis with this drive in January or February (assuming Hitachi ships the drives on-schedule.)

They should have made a 10mb Mini (if they could), I would have bought that one instead.
Wait a year. The necessary drive doesn't exist yet, but Hitachi did pre-announce them when they announced their 6G microdrive.

Personally, if Apple would update iTunes to allow me to AutoFill a mini, like you can a shuffle, I'd go for it in a heartbeat. My music collection is approaching 40G, so I either need an iPod that can hold it all (the 60G model) or something with AutoFill (one of the shuffles).
(Off topic) Can you recharge the unit without a computer like you get with an iPod?
Yes. Buy a standalone charger from the Apple Store. These wall warts have a USB-shaped port that provides power. Just plug the shuffle directly into it.

[zap2]

i think that we will we the ipod as
1gb-99( shuffle)
2gb-150( shuffle
6gb-200(mini)
10gb-250( mini)
30gb-300( iPod photo renamed)
60gb-350-iPod( ipod photo renamed)
80gb-450 or 500-iPod video
100gb-500 or 599-iPod video

i think this will be the line up in about a year, and id like to see a black or Orange ipod mini.

[musiclover137]

i think some people are forgetting that most people are using the shuffle as a secondary player. therefore, the size of your library doesn't really matter.

right? how many people on this thread have either and iPod or a mini AND a shuffle...i know i do

the point of the shuffle is to be a simple music player with storage capabilities. with that in mind, it's capacity will grow with the other iPod's and the price will stay the same.

[rosalindavenue]

You see that's the problem with these rumor sites: bottom line they hurt Apple's sales. That's bad for everyone.

Don't worry my friend-- Apple seems to have silenced all rumors-- we're 8 days from WWDC with ZERO rumors, even with ancient notebooks with 5 year old processors. Clearly the thinksecret suit paid off. Personally, if I were you, I'd post on Ain't it Cool News or somewhere where's it not "bad for everyone." :D

[zap2]

right? how many people on this thread have either and iPod or a mini AND a shuffle...i know i do
.

i do as well

[skwoytek]

I'm trying to figure out all these posts about problems navigating a 2GB or 4GB shuffle. You weren't meant to "navigate" a shuffle, hence the name.

I've had my 1GB since week one, use it daily, and have yet to navigate anything except iTunes while deciding which music I want to do without in order to make room for different tracks.

Now, on the same note - I've always said, I'd be delighted if I could have multiple playlists and simply triple tap next or previous for the next or previous playlist (as with triple tap play/pause for reshuffle/track1). Then, I could have my daily run, work out, office mix, etc all on my shuffle at once and with 4GBs, plenty of space. Apple would have me sold on 4 GB shuffle, I'd prefer it over a mini, weight and form factor alone.

Now from a business perspective... maybe not a wise choice against the mini.

I know I could listen to 500+ random songs and I've seen the size of some of your music collections (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=107870).

[Loge]

I'm trying to figure out all these posts about problems navigating a 2GB or 4GB shuffle. You weren't meant to "navigate" a shuffle, hence the name.

Well probably some of use like to choose what we listen to. ;)

I find the shuffle is great for the gym; but I don't use it anywhere else, because I usually want to choose a particular album or playlist to listen to, and have it played in the proper order.

[JDOG_]

I'd love a bigger shuffle.

The extra space would be great for just flash drive use and the rest for music. I don't know what all of these people are talking about, I use shuffle on my mini all the time and just roll with that & it's 4 gigs. Doesn't mean I ever look at the screen.

If you want one with a screen get a mini or a photo.

[840quadra]

I am interested in trying a 1gb Shuffle, but I can't see the need for more space then that for a flash drive. 2 to 4 GB is allot of data to get lost / stolen.

But if they make them I am sure people will buy plenty of them. The only issue would be cost, how much would people want to pay for a shuffle before jumping to a mini. Unless they make a 2 and 4 gb flash Mini ipod, then it might be more marketable!

[swissmann]

I am more interested in a small screen.

[skwoytek]

Well probably some of use like to choose what we listen to. ;)

I find the shuffle is great for the gym; but I don't use it anywhere else, because I usually want to choose a particular album or playlist to listen to, and have it played in the proper order.

I completely agree. That's why my wife decided on a 4GB mini. She wanted the screen so she could choose her music. Apple decided shuffles didn't need elaborate navigation. So there shouldn't be a complaint about navigating a shuffle, it's not made for choosing specific tracks*.

I think Apple took the popularity of the iPod at the right time, and finally made a screenless player with which people could finally say, "Maybe I don't need a screen to enjoy my music". It was a bold attempt at a previously failed concept that resulted in a lot of raised eyebrows and in the end a successful and useful product. Which more and more companies are trying to emulate.

*A properly loaded playlist, played in 'Play in Order' mode works great. Load up ~20 albums sequentially and I can skip to the song/album I want with no problem. Load my songs in alphabetical order and I always know where to go if I need a certain song. Easy as a screen, no. Timely, sometimes. But, those are rare moments and not why I bought a shuffle.

[MacWombat]

I'd much rather have a 50 dollar 512mb ipod shuffle. That would be an amazing price, but I'm sure the profit is too small to do that. If it did happen, I'd buy it in a second.

[musiclover137]

I completely agree. That's why my wife decided on a 4GB mini. She wanted the screen so she could choose her music. Apple decided shuffles didn't need elaborate navigation. So there shouldn't be a complaint about navigating a shuffle, it's not made for choosing specific tracks*.

I think Apple took the popularity of the iPod at the right time, and finally made a screenless player with which people could finally say, "Maybe I don't need a screen to enjoy my music". It was a bold attempt at a previously failed concept that resulted in a lot of raised eyebrows and in the end a successful and useful product. Which more and more companies are trying to emulate.

*A properly loaded playlist, played in 'Play in Order' mode works great. Load up ~20 albums sequentially and I can skip to the song/album I want with no problem. Load my songs in alphabetical order and I always know where to go if I need a certain song. Easy as a screen, no. Timely, sometimes. But, those are rare moments and not why I bought a shuffle.

skwoytek, me and you are right on the same page

[legacyb4]

Why not just sync to a playlist that caps your song capacity at 4/6GB? Autofill either picks from your library and/or a specified playlist anyway...

Either way, prices are going to plunge and Apple will have to do something with the new capacity as other MP3 makers scramble to take desparate moves to outbid the shuffle...

Personally, if Apple would update iTunes to allow me to AutoFill a mini, like you can a shuffle, I'd go for it in a heartbeat. My music collection is approaching 40G, so I either need an iPod that can hold it all (the 60G model) or something with AutoFill (one of the shuffles).

[intlplby]

i agree with most people that 2GB is the realistically usable limit on a iPod shuffle, unless everyone moves to higher quality files.

i think that eventually though it will make more sense for the iPod Mini to become a flash based device.

the cost of flash based media seems to be dropping faster than the capacity of a mini drive is increasing.

4gb mini is 250 now and a 4b SanDisk is around 350...... i figure within a year or so, it will almost make enough sense to use flash for the mini..... the increasing digital camera market is pushing flash media costs farther and farther down.

SanDisk has an 8GB card already for ~$655 (at newegg).... that cost should drop significantly in a year.


using flash in the mini allows you to dramatically increase battery performance and make the Mini thinner and much lighter. no moving parts would make it more reliable......

i reckon they could make it .33"x2"x3" (thinner and shorter but same width as the .5"x2"x3.6" current mini)

[TenderBranson]

Digitimes was really on to something, way back months ago

[Nermal]

Yeah, amazing :eek: