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Apple is doomed! :rolleyes:

They should just drop the prices to $39 and call it a day.

Doomed! does not mean what you think it does :rolleyes:

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Simple people, the only apple music player to come with a clip, excellent for exercise. Apple would be foolish or not have a replacement for it, or keep it going. Though having got rid of that classic, shuffle might be next.
 
Noticed a few comments saying 'it was best for running' or 'best for working out'.

I think we all might know why it might be discontinued then.

Exactly. This is perfect evidence of the difference between the old Apple and the new.

The old Apple was happy for their own products to cannibalise others. In fact it was encouraged because it meant that consumers were dictating the market and getting what they wanted.

Now the new Apple would rather be the ones dictating what you should buy.

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They need to come out with only one iPod. Storage that ranges from 16GB to 128 or 256, has a small touch screen like 2" or so, and built in clip. This would satisfy the people that get it for exercise and the people that want a simple iPod that holds all their music.

There's pretty good merit in this argument, though I thought the iPod Touch was still at least somewhat popular? In general this seems what they should do.

Personally, I wish Apple had kept the iPod Classic and turned it into a true high-end audiophile iPod. Give it dual high-end DACs and (much) better and beefier amplification. As it stands no Apple device can drive even relatively cheap headphones to their fullest potential let alone high-end cans with high impedance. An external amp or DAC/amp is required for best results. Apple is supposed to own this space in portable music. The Classic was obscure enough that they could've revived it and gained a huge amount of interest and respect in the audiophile community.

If they moved the classic to Flash storage it'd free up lots of space for added high-end internal components and a bigger battery required to drive them.

Of course the difference between what I want and what Apple does is growing ever wider.
 
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I never knew that the shuffle even had a market anymore. A 2gb MP3 player without a screen. You just have to memorize the order of the playlist? Or being able to randomize the songs, or "shuffle" them is the big feature?

Podcasts, audio books, playlists can all go over or you can fill it with songs and just have them play back in random order. No display to faff with, just buttons that are really easy to use without looking. As others have said, its small and unobtrusive and can clip most anywhere, which makes it ideal for a variety of exercises. If they got rid of it, I'll have to get a couple more just like I bought four pairs of my favourite running shoe when that was discontinued.
 
If this is the last iPod Shuffle it really is sad. My first iPod was a first gen Shuffle which I still have and its pretty clean. I ordered another one (but in red this time) just in case this is the end of the iPod Shuffle line. I use my current one for working out, in fact it makes a great little music player.

EDIT: it also seems Best Buy is out of two colors already: Space Gray and Yellow. In the LA area, only one store has SG.
 
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Shuffle is great device. Ultra-light, clip it on and go. Don't need a stupid armband. It's cheap, easy to operate without looking, good battery life, don't need a screen, very simple button presses, and can wear it while sweating or in the rain. They last.

Exercising, bicycling, jogging with a smartphone is stupid. Keep producing Shuffle please, there are lots of us who can put down the damn phone and while doing something strenuous.
 
I never knew that the shuffle even had a market anymore. A 2gb MP3 player without a screen. You just have to memorize the order of the playlist? Or being able to randomize the songs, or "shuffle" them is the big feature?

you obviously dont understand the concept of the "Shuffle" part
 
512

Still have my 512MB Shuffle 1st Gen, and it still works...it was a gift, and the ultimate gateway drug into the Apple ecosystem. From there I got an iPod Touch, Mac Mini, iMac, next Mac Mini, iPhone 4, iPad 3, iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPhone 6 Plus, and will soon be time to upgrade my Mac Mini again.

IMO, Apple is short-sighted if they kill the Shuffle. It easily brings in thousands of additional dollars in lifetime fan purchases if the customer gets hooked on the Apple way.

Also, the Shuffle is the easiest to use. Sometimes buttons are the best way.
 
Shuffles are great for running, especially given the latest iPhones are too big to run with.

We all know what's happening next here though - extinction.

Therein lies the problem. Once the Apple Watch is launched they will almost certainly discontinue anything that could compete with it, especially as one of their key demographics is fitness. The shuffle will almost certainly be the first to go.
 
They need to come out with only one iPod. Storage that ranges from 16GB to 128 or 256, has a small touch screen like 2" or so, and built in clip. This would satisfy the people that get it for exercise and the people that want a simple iPod that holds all their music.

So basically, an iPod Nano that isn't entirely useless? I could go for that.

Unfortunately I think Apple is slowly trying to phase out anything that isn't an iOSer and can't access the App Store. I guarantee you the next story we see will be how Apple is 'unable' to acquire parts for the Nano.

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Therein lies the problem. Once the Apple Watch is launched they will almost certainly discontinue anything that could compete with it, especially as one of their key demographics is fitness. The shuffle will almost certainly be the first to go.

The iWatch can't play music; it's strictly a second screen for iPhones with a bit of extra functionality, but no music. I don't think it even has a headphone jack. How is it going to be an iPod replacement?
 
Exactly. This is perfect evidence of the difference between the old Apple and the new.

The old Apple was happy for their own products to cannibalise others. In fact it was encouraged because it meant that consumers were dictating the market and getting what they wanted.

Now the new Apple would rather be the ones dictating what you should buy.

You mean the new Apple with a CEO who said "“Our core philosophy is to never fear cannibalization. If we don’t do it, someone else will". Or do you mean new Apple which brought out the iPad mini which cannibalised the full sized larger margin (£) full sized iPad product? Or was it the new Apple which brought out a 5.5" screen iPhone which cannibalises iPad mini?

When exactly did new Apple start in your world?

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The iWatch can't play music; it's strictly a second screen for iPhones with a bit of extra functionality, but no music. I don't think it even has a headphone jack. How is it going to be an iPod replacement?

It will play music, it's one of the selling points. It works with Bluetooth headphones.

"Music. Control the music on your iPhone without taking it out of your pocket. And when you leave iPhone at home to go for a jog, listen to music directly on Apple Watch."

https://www.apple.com/watch/overview/

I'm pretty certain I won't be buying gen 1 of the iWatch, but I love using my JayBird BlueBuds X when working out with my iPhone - having no wires is great, I can leave my iPhone on the floor near the machine or weights.
 
Once the Apple Watch is launched they will almost certainly discontinue anything that could compete with it, especially as one of their key demographics is fitness. The shuffle will almost certainly be the first to go.

It could be more a case of the Apple Watch cannibalising the already dwindling market for the Shuffle. Not in the sense that people are going to be saying "Hmm... do I buy a $500 smart watch or a $50 Shuffle", but because anybody who buys an Apple Watch (or another, cheaper, smart watch) probably isn't going to want a Shuffle as well.

Anyway, how can you possibly rely on a Shuffle for jogging? OMG, what if you get a text, want to update your Facebook status or get a desperate urge to take a selfie of your sweaty face? How will you remember the route or know how far you have gone? What if you get thirsty and need to buy a bottle of Peckham Spring with Apple Pay? All joking apart, this is why the iPod market is dwindling.

Never mind: I had a quick look on Amazon and there are plenty of blatant Shuffle knock-offs at such low prices that even if you have to buy three to get one that works you'll still be ahead of the game.
 
You mean the new Apple with a CEO who said "“Our core philosophy is to never fear cannibalization. If we don’t do it, someone else will". Or do you mean new Apple which brought out the iPad mini which cannibalised the full sized larger margin (£) full sized iPad product? Or was it the new Apple which brought out a 5.5" screen iPhone which cannibalises iPad mini?

When exactly did new Apple start in your world?

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It will play music, it's one of the selling points. It works with Bluetooth headphones.

"Music. Control the music on your iPhone without taking it out of your pocket. And when you leave iPhone at home to go for a jog, listen to music directly on Apple Watch."

https://www.apple.com/watch/overview/

I'm pretty certain I won't be buying gen 1 of the iWatch, but I love using my JayBird BlueBuds X when working out with my iPhone - having no wires is great, I can leave my iPhone on the floor near the machine or weights.

Wonder how much music you can store on the watch and whether the battery would last long enough to manage a three hour run.
 
It has been ridiculously too expensive for some time now. But it does work for running. I've got one myself and so does my girlfriend. When it warms up again and I run some more, I will use it again. It is nice not to kill the battery on the run. Or you can leave your phone at home and unplug for a bit.

But man were these unnecessarily expensive. It would nice if something a bit better and a bit cheaper were released. Maybe something with a lightning charger and bluetooth for wireless headsets. Though now I'm probably not taking about something cheaper. Stick with the wire for the headphones and keep charging through there. That was kind of genius. But add bluetooth.

Also the iPod nano is ridiculously overpriced. Apple should bring the price down on those. And then put a spec upgrade into the iPod touch. Apple needs to get over this fear of canibilization of the iPhone and understand that folks owning more devices results in larger ecosystem. So selling devices that are many years old technology doesn't help in getting expansion.
 
There is no better workout music player, period. It's compact, tough and it just works. There's nothing much they need to do with it. If they discontinue it I'll just have to make sure I buy two so I can have a couple back-ups.

It's the only Apple product I never had an issue with.
 
If your washing machine takes two hours to wash your clothes, perhaps you should replace it instead.

I'm assuming it's a front loading HE machine. They are wonderful.

That may be the "cultural difference" between European and American washing machines ... ;) I'm from Europe and was surprised how brief the cleaning programs overseas are working. But remember that even Steve Jobs was swearing by (on?) his German Miele machine!

Was much as I love my HE I would never touch a German made appliance. Everyone I know who has Bosch or Miele has nothing but problems.

On a related note last year I purchased an iPod shuffle engraved with my name for running. I liked it's small size at first but realized that I liked to have my phone on me
 
Oh Husain, I love your writing

"New York City appears to be the city mostly suffering from the iPod shuffle shortage, "

As if an iPod shortage is akin to food or water :)
 
Well you could always buy a $35 Chinese clone of Watch.

http://www.cultofmac.com/308165/can-already-buy-fake-apple-watch-just-35/
20140106_fake-applewatch_0015.jpg
20140106_fake-applewatch_0017.jpg

I...I...can't even...

but why AM I surprised at this? That's the better question.

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I was just thinking about buying one of these the other day at Target, as a backup music player. I'm definitely going to get one now...
 
I have a guess. My guess is based on supply chain management principle and the dwindling sales volume. Essentially, it no longer makes sense to maintain an inventory at each store. The capital cost associated with a slow moving product, and one that has lower margins just do not justify it. Therefore, it makes more sense to maintain a small central inventory that can be shipped to stores or your home upon order. This is a form of Just-In-Time inventory. Given that this is Tim's stregnth and background, I am thinking my WAG, is not so WA. :D
 
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