1G iPod shuffle On the Way Out?

[MacRumors]

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

The Street speculates that the 1GB iPod shuffle is to be replaced or removed from the Apple product line, based on growing evidence:

* A survey of Apple retail stores.

* Apple's online store, which still says "Currently Unavailable" for the 1GB iPod shuffle, as noted in mid-December.

* The unavailability of this iPod model at major retailers, including amazon.com.

This further supports previous rumors that Apple will introduce new iPod shuffles at Macworld San Francisco.

[d.perel]

I bought the 512mb shuffle because the price point was right at $99 for such a bare-bones player. $149 is really too much for anything without a screen. Whichever model gets dropped, the 149 price point has to go

[hyperpasta]

Originally Posted by d.perel

I bought the 512mb shuffle because the price point was right at $99 for such a bare-bones player. $149 is really too much for anything without a screen. Whichever model gets dropped, the 149 price point has to go

In July, Apple dropped the 1GB model's price to $129, which is much more reasonable.

[Object-X]

Why not just a lower capacity Nano? They should just get rid of it.

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Cept the shuffle's smaller, lighter, and more durable by far.. scratches don't effect it's usage.

I have a shuffle, a nano, and a video ipod, each for different situations (overkill, clearly), but honestly, I don't give a toss about new ipods, I want fast, light, and fast laptops ASAP.

Originally Posted by Object-X

Why not just a lower capacity Nano? They should just get rid of it.

[dejo]

Originally Posted by Some_Big_Spoon

...I don't give a toss about new ipods, I want fast, light, and fast laptops ASAP.

Okay, I think Apple can do fast, light laptops. But fast, light, and fast laptops? That's crazy talk!

[hyperpasta]

So far, we have rumors for:

- New Super-Thin Intel iBooks in 13" and 15"
- New Media Center Intel Mac minis
- New Super-Thin Dual Core Intel Powerbooks with iSight in 13", 15", and 17"
- New iPod shuffles (smaller, black)
- Modestly bumped iPod nanos (3GB and 6GB?)
- "iPod Boombox" of some sort
- New AirPort with 802.11n, Video Streaming
- iLife 06
- iWork 06 with "Numbers"

Wow. Some keynote.

[muffinman]

great! smaller, thinner, screen (hopefully colour), and one of those cool nano-esque necklaces.

[bobx2001]

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

So far, we have rumors for:

- New Super-Thin Intel iBooks in 13" and 15"
- New Media Center Intel Mac minis
- New Super-Thin Dual Core Intel Powerbooks with iSight in 13", 15", and 17"
- New iPod shuffles (smaller, black)
- Modestly bumped iPod nanos (3GB and 6GB?)
- "iPod Boombox" of some sort
- New AirPort with 802.11n, Video Streaming
- iLife 06
- iWork 06 with "Numbers"

Wow. Some keynote.

i am guessing that even if all those porducts were released in january that some new released would not be mentioned in the speech, such as a nano bump.

[hyperpasta]

Originally Posted by bobx2001

i am guessing that even if all those porducts were released in january that some new released would not be mentioned in the speech, such as a nano bump.

That's true.

Personally, I think we won't see the iBook released until a few months after MWSF. The dual-core (read PowerBook) Yonahs are coming first, and the Mac mini doesn't have to be sent out right away. If Apple ships a stunningly thin laptop with a dual-core chip and a built-in iSight, it will instantly convert those PowerPC fanboys to Intel and make everyone very excited indeed. The iBook will be more powerful than the current one, but not jaw-droppingly so.

In addition, there is nothing to substantiate the iPod boombox rumor, and the report was vague.

[GregA2]

Originally Posted by bobx2001

i am guessing that even if all those porducts were released in january that some new released would not be mentioned in the speech, such as a nano bump.

Yeah, and they also might just throw the new Mac Mini into the same boxes as the old model and not say anything about it.

[asherman13]

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

Wow. Some keynote.

and i can't wait to be there to see it

well, ok, not really. but almost. as a member of my school's newspaper, i tried to get press passes, as was possible for my friends in previous years, but for some reason apple and img (i think) tightened the restrictions this year, so all i got was a free exhibit hall pass. its still worth it; i'm going on the 10th!

[iMeowbot]

I really believe that the Shuffle was what it was only to meet a certain price point. If the next generation can be a real iPod at the same prices instead of a stripped-down Rio, I think they'd be all over that.

[rock6079]

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

So far, we have rumors for:

- New Super-Thin Intel iBooks in 13" and 15"
- New Media Center Intel Mac minis
- New Super-Thin Dual Core Intel Powerbooks with iSight in 13", 15", and 17"
- New iPod shuffles (smaller, black)
- Modestly bumped iPod nanos (3GB and 6GB?)
- "iPod Boombox" of some sort
- New AirPort with 802.11n, Video Streaming
- iLife 06
- iWork 06 with "Numbers"

Wow. Some keynote.

after talkign with some low-level people from apple corporate, while admitting they know almost as little as us, the one thing they were sure about is that they expect at least 10 updates of some sort.. so yah, doesn't sound too far off

[job]

I think Apple just needs to KISS...

Keep It Simple Stupid.

The original Shuffle design was pure simplicity, no extra bells or whistles. It just does one thing, but it does it well at a cheap price and very few parts to break and/or scratch.

I'd much rather have it without a screen to mess up or more extra buttons to press.

Make it smaller, increase the battery life, and up the capacity and I'll be first in line to buy one.

[~Shard~]

Originally Posted by rock6079

after talkign with some low-level people from apple corporate, while admitting they know almost as little as us, the one thing they were sure about is that they expect at least 10 updates of some sort.. so yah, doesn't sound too far off

Geez, 10 seems like an awful lot, at least if they were referring specifically to MWSF - Jobs's Keynote is only so long! 10 updates in the very near future I could see though - several at MWSF, and then the remainder in the following weeks - Apple has done this many times before, where major products have been announced throughout the rest of January and February following MWSF... Can't wait to see what happens!

[Whistleway]

Originally Posted by hyperpasta

So far, we have rumors for:

- New Super-Thin Intel iBooks in 13" and 15"
- New Media Center Intel Mac minis
- New Super-Thin Dual Core Intel Powerbooks with iSight in 13", 15", and 17"
- New iPod shuffles (smaller, black)
- Modestly bumped iPod nanos (3GB and 6GB?)
- "iPod Boombox" of some sort
- New AirPort with 802.11n, Video Streaming
- iLife 06
- iWork 06 with "Numbers"

Wow. Some keynote.

sorry to tell ya, but let us prepare to be disappointed !!

[BlueRevolution]

what if the intent is to do away with the shuffles altogether and expand the nano into the price bracket instead? it would certainly solve the shuffles with screens issue...

[Lacero]

Originally Posted by d.perel

I bought the 512mb shuffle because the price point was right at $99 for such a bare-bones player. $149 is really too much for anything without a screen. Whichever model gets dropped, the 149 price point has to go

Which is why I doubt Apple will introduce a 2GB shuffle at the $129 or $149 price point. Most consumers would rather step up to the $199 nano. One GB flash memory sells for about $40-50 retail so I figure Apple gets it for a lot cheaper.

But with 1 GB of music, it might be too arduous to navigate songs without a screen, so Apple might introduce a new shuffle with an extra button or feature to traverse multiple playlists.

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachme...chmentid=35452

[Dr. Dastardly]

I bet the rumors are true and will black and white. Same form factor I bet but topping out with a two giger.

[reyesmac]

Once a shuffle gets past 1gig it really needs to have some sort of screen. They should integrate the shuffle into a cell phone battery and create a way to make it work thru the phone.
Ideally, I would like the shuffle to be small enough to clip on your ear. Or integrated inside of really cool headphones.

[freddiecable]

agree! it's better to keep but to lower the prize.

I have a 512 Mb shuffle and a ipod video 30GB - fits me perfectly. the nano is really nice - but when i want small and low weight - for excercise shuffle is best. but for trips - the video is great.

Originally Posted by reyesmac

Once a shuffle gets past 1gig it really needs to have some sort of screen. They should integrate the shuffle into a cell phone battery and create a way to make it work thru the phone.
Ideally, I would like the shuffle to be small enough to clip on your ear. Or integrated inside of really cool headphones.

[FaasNat]

I never saw the appeal of the iPod Shuffle. I would miss the use of the LCD. I'm still waiting for the iPod to include a FM tuner so I can listen to the TVs at the gym.

[TheMasin9]

eol of the 1 gig shuffle would not surprise me at all, the 512 is much more popular and much more logical $$ wise.

[blueflame]

them integrate the remote control with the shuffle. make it the remote for all future Macs. as generations go by they can get bigger in capacity, but never really change shape or look. if apple really wants to take over the home media area, i cajnt think of a better way than to put the control in the hands of everybody before they even have the service. I would love to have this with frontrow. kinda reminds me of like, the 1 month free of aol. also, for whose who dont buy a new computer they can charge 149 still and probably make at least te same profits. if for example they could charge $99 for the 1gig shuffle, they can charge 149 for the shuffle remote.
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