Apple Releases Smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle in Black and Silver

[MacRumors]

Apple released two new iPod Shuffles with an even smaller design today. The updates were predicted at the very last minute this morning.

The new 4GB devices are priced at $79 and can hold up to 1000 songs. These new iPod Shuffles adopt a more vertical shape than the previous model, but are smaller overall. The previous generation iPod shuffles remain available for purchase.

Apple also added a new "VoiceOver" feature that allows the iPod shuffle to speak your sing titles, arists and playlist names. All of the controls are located on the earphone cord.

"Imagine your music player talking to you, telling you your song titles, artists and playlist names," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod and iPhone(TM) Product Marketing. "The amazingly small new iPod shuffle takes a revolutionary approach to how you listen to your music by talking to you, also making it the first iPod shuffle with playlists."

More details are available on Apple's iPod Shuffle section of their website.

More details are available on Apple's iPod Shuffle section of their website.


Article Link: Apple Releases Smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle in Black and Silver

[talkingfuture]

Incredible design, very ambitious to remove the buttons. I am impressed.

[Schtumple]

I love how you now can't use any other headphones that don't have a controller on them.

Not far off the iPod flee spoof now

[MacSamurai]

Love the new form factor

[iAlan]

I gotta get me one of these. Like the new design and perfect when cycling/jogging/other physical activity with controls in the headphone, no need to go rummaging in the pocket to change the track.

[indisguise]

The controls are on the earbud cord! WTF what if i dont want to use the crappy white earbuds??!!!!!

[Motley]

I miss the color options.
Guess those will come later.

[gcmexico]

not bad...interesting...these are good for kids

[Macintown]

hmm ugly...

[Dagless]

Oh wow. Well that crept up on us! I kinda like that, though I'll stick with my 2G iPod shuffle for now.

[petz0ldt]

Soooo.... say i have this really nice pair of ultimate ears headphones. If i buy one of these i have no way to control the volume or what track im listening to? sounds like a great porduct...

[Tallest Skil]

Originally Posted by talkingfuture

Incredible design, very proprietary to remove the buttons. I am disgusted.

The above is my reaction.

[Chimera]

I think Gruber knew in advance (as he often does):

http://daringfireball.net/2009/02/lost_in_the_shuffle

[ryanplusplus]

What a bunch of bull... only Apple earphones?

[BJMRamage]

i thought it was large from teh picture until I clicked through....that is tiny.

[dalvin200]

looks like the size of a AAA battery!! damn.. that IS small...

is that too small for a device? 4gb sounds sweet though...

[entropys]

Originally Posted by indisguise

The controls are on the earbud cord! WTF what if i dont want to use the crappy white earbuds??!!!!!

you are probably not in the market for a shuffle in that case.

Interesting that this is now the third interface for ipods - no more clickwheel!

[Motley]

Originally Posted by indisguise

The controls are on the earbud cord! WTF what if i dont want to use the crappy white earbuds??!!!!!

I'm assuming someone will be selling an adapter cable shortly that has the controls and allows you to plug in any headphone you want.

Still, makes it more expensive.

[BryanLyle]

What does the bottom look like?

[Dagless]

Originally Posted by gcmexico

not bad...interesting...these are good for kids

Maybe, but I swear by my Shuffle when I'm off out hiking. Amazingly robust little things.

[Mac21ND]

Funky new usb cable too for it:

http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html

No more shuffle dock.

[badcrumble]

My goodness that thing is miniscule. Too bad about the headphones, but for that kind of a reduction in size and a four-fold increase in storage capacity, I'll take it. VoiceOver is a nice idea too (add some details about this to the frontpage post maybe?)

edit: you just did.

[rdowns]

CUPERTINO, California—March 11, 2009—Apple® today introduced the all-new iPod® shuffle, the world’s smallest music player at nearly half of the size of the previous model, and the first music player that talks to you. The revolutionary new VoiceOver feature enables iPod shuffle to speak your song titles, artists and playlist names. The third generation iPod shuffle is significantly smaller than a AA battery, holds up to 1,000 songs and is easier to use with all of the controls conveniently located on the earphone cord. With the press of a button, you can play, pause, adjust volume, switch playlists and hear the name of the song and artist. iPod shuffle features a gorgeous new aluminum design with a built-in stainless steel clip that makes it ultra-wearable.

“Imagine your music player talking to you, telling you your song titles, artists and playlist names,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod and iPhone™ Product Marketing. “The amazingly small new iPod shuffle takes a revolutionary approach to how you listen to your music by talking to you, also making it the first iPod shuffle with playlists.”

Link

[canyonblue737]

How do I use my running headphones, Apple earbuds are worthless for exercise since they fall out. Shuffles are THE iPod for running so this doesn't make sense.

[Mac21ND]

Originally Posted by BryanLyle

What does the bottom look like?

I don't think there's anything there. The USB port is via the headphone jack with a new usb cable. I was looking for that too.