1G iPod shuffle On the Way Out?

[jmufellow]

Like I said, Firewire, USB, wouldn't matter. The write speed of the flash memory is where the bottleneck is in transfer speed. The nano has a much faster write speed and as such transfers music and data at roughly the same speed as the old hard drives.

Ahh, now I feel wiser.

 

[skwoytek]

Shuffle needs a screen...

I've always said the shuffle does what is needed - no screen necessary.

I still agree with myself... However, others clearly don't and I'd rather they have it their way. As an AAPL share holder, I monitor the sites which display the trends - Amazon.com. On the other hand, I can't tell how well items are selling from Apple.com.

As you can see from the Amazon Portable Audio and Video Top Sellers, the top selling audio players outside of iPods are 512MB and 1GB players with a screen. Apple needs to cover this market with a 512 and 1GB player (with screen - mulitcolor optional). Hopefully this is where they are headed...

 

[GregA2]

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. 😱 😉

 

[corywoolf]

Maybe Apple are going to do away with just the 1GB model, in the hope that it will increase sales of their 2GB iPod Nano.

If they replace the iPod Shuffle and increase the storage capacity surely it will be too close in price and spec to the iPod Nano.

But, I could see the iPod Shuffle getting a redesign at MWSF, I'm just curious what will happen to the 1GB model.

They wont discontinue the 512 MB or 1 GB models. I bet the price drops down, smaller in size, better switch on back, bookmark a song capability, and priced at $59.99 and $99.99.

edit: add black shuffles to the list ^

 

[EricNau]

If Apple comes out with a iPod Shuffle with a screen, what are they going to rename it? ...The iPod "Non-Shuffle"?

 

[corywoolf]

I've always said the shuffle does what is needed - no screen necessary.

I still agree with myself... However, others clearly don't and I'd rather they have it their way. As an AAPL share holder, I monitor the sites which display the trends - Amazon.com. On the other hand, I can't tell how well items are selling from Apple.com.

As you can see from the Amazon Portable Audio and Video Top Sellers, the top selling audio players outside of iPods are 512MB and 1GB players with a screen. Apple needs to cover this market with a 512 and 1GB player (with screen - mulitcolor optional). Hopefully this is where they are headed...

So they make a 3 line b/w lcd screen an optional accessory for $30. It snaps onto the USB dongle. I doubt they will do this though, who would want it? Get a nano is you want a screen. If you are in the sub $99 market and want a screen then tough luck.

 

[Porchland]

I wonder what the survey of Apple stores had to do with...

I thought most of those employees had absolutely no idea of what Steve had in mind...

I'm guessing this refers to lack of availability. That's more or less what the other two items referred to.

 

[cr2sh]

White and black shuffles... I'm sure.

Although I don't agree on a capacity increase. 1GB seems right, plus Apple needs to put the breaks on these constant ipod updates.

Right after Christmas, a new shuffle... might piss off some brand new ipodders.

And for what? 1.5GB? No way.

 

[Doctor Q]

They wont discontinue the 512 MB or 1 GB models. I bet the price drops down, smaller in size, better switch on back, bookmark a song capability, and priced at $59.99 and $99.99.

But I think that having $60 and $100 pricepoints makes more sense in the product line than keeping the same price points and upping the capacities. But if what you suggest is their plan, why would they dry up the stock on one shuffle but not the other?

 

[xsnightclub]

If you are in the sub $99 market and want a screen then tough luck.

Amazon.com has over a dozen different 512 MP3 players + USB drive WITH displays starting at $49.99.


Not tough luck, simple mouse click.


(Athough, I wouldn't count on getting technical support from most of these companies in the near future)

 

[TheMasin9]

wouldnt surprise me

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

 

[blueflame]

What I would like to see

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.
ak

 

[strange days]

about the iPod video, here's a link to an interesting chip developer claim out today :

http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=175701335

...looks like videorecording iPods might not be far away... 🙄

 

[Porchland]

If Apple comes out with a iPod Shuffle with a screen, what are they going to rename it? ...The iPod "Non-Shuffle"?

Um, the iPod shuffle, maybe? Why does shuffle mean "no screen"?

The listing for the 1GB shuffle on the Apple Store indicates "expected availability mid-January," which indicates we'll be getting something at 1GB. I'm guessing the shuffle is getting a new, nano-ish form factor.

New lineup:

1 GB shuffle ($99)
2 GB shuffle ($149)
4 GB nano ($199)
8 GB nano ($249)
40 GB iPod ($299)
80 GB iPod ($349)

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

about the iPod video, here's a link to an interesting chip developer claim out today :

http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=175701335

...looks like videorecording iPods might not be far away... 🙄

oh god. We just got video. NOW WHAT? iPods with video cameras? then a built in xbox?

Jesus. 🙄

If apple spent 10% of the time not worrying about the iPod, we could/will move a lot faster with this Inteli switch.

I know, Apple's going as hard as the possibly can, but it just seems that they put to much time/effort into the iPod.

 

[Porchland]

White and black shuffles... I'm sure.

Although I don't agree on a capacity increase. 1GB seems right, plus Apple needs to put the breaks on these constant ipod updates.

Right after Christmas, a new shuffle... might piss off some brand new ipodders.

And for what? 1.5GB? No way.

The first iPod mini was announced at a January Macworld.

 

[sushi]

But I think that having $60 and $100 pricepoints makes more sense in the product line than keeping the same price points and upping the capacities. But if what you suggest is their plan, why would they dry up the stock on one shuffle but not the other?

Only if they introduce a new Shuffle otherwise current owners will be alienated I would think.

I think Apple will want to keep the entry price point as high as they can. Sixty seems a bit low.

My bet is a new model with 1GB and 2GB versions with price points similar to what we see today.

 

[maya]

Hmm... they can't really make the new model 2GB as then it'd be the same as the nano, unless they plan on upgrading the nano too, but so soon ?

They can phase out the 512 and 1024 model and bring out a 1024 model with an OLED, may it be so. ::cross fingers and wishes::

Reason being a text only OLED display will not bite into Nano sales even if there is a 2GB model available as you cannot view well picture on it, duh. 😉 🙂

1024 and 2GB models please with OLED..............please may it be so. 😀

 

[maya]

oh god. We just got video. NOW WHAT? iPods with video cameras? then a built in xbox?

Jesus. 🙄

If apple spent 10% of the time not worrying about the iPod, we could/will move a lot faster with this Inteli switch.

I know, Apple's going as hard as the possibly can, but it just seems that they put to much time/effort into the iPod.

Have you seen what Sony and Philips have for a 512 and 1024 mp3 model when compared to the Shuffle. Sony has a sick looking Shuffle sized mp3 player with an OLED that looks like its part of the plastic, it looks like it belongs and you cannot even tell its there until you turn it on. 😱

Compared to what Sony has, the Shuffle looks outdated without a screen to navigate by text only. I so want a 1024 or 2GB Shuffle with an OLED, since I can use it in my car. There are some kewl driving tracks that I have that I like to listen to while on the road, and 2GB is more than enough. I do not require a Nano, since a colour screen and all the extras are a waste for my needs in a car setting. 😉 🙂

 

[b0x]

Screen/no screen, I'm more concerned about whether they include proper lanyard headphones with the new shuffle.

 

[cr2sh]

The first iPod mini was announced at a January Macworld.

Oh I know. And then they introduced another ipod. And then they released the ipod photo. Then they released the U2. Then they released the shuffle. Then they updated the photo. Then they released another mini. Then they merged the photo lineup. Then they dropped the mini and added the nano. Then the video.

The ipod is the hottest item selling this holiday season. I'm sure when the figures are released they sold a **** TON of ipods.. more this season than any other season before. I would guess, maybe, more this quarter than any quarter ever before.

That's a hell of a lot of new buyers to piss off, and for what... .5 gigabytes more capacity? Add a black option, but don't piss anyone off with capacity increases.

 

[maya]

Um, the iPod shuffle, maybe? Why does shuffle mean "no screen"?

The listing for the 1GB shuffle on the Apple Store indicates "expected availability mid-January," which indicates we'll be getting something at 1GB. I'm guessing the shuffle is getting a new, nano-ish form factor.

New lineup:

1 GB shuffle ($99)
2 GB shuffle ($149)
4 GB nano ($199)
8 GB nano ($249)
40 GB iPod ($299)
80 GB iPod ($349)

Makes sense considering flash memory tops out at 16GB and if you migrate the 8GB to 16Gb and the 4GB to 8Gb by the time a its 3G for the Nano, the 4 should have no issues. 😉

So want an OLED in the Shuffle, if it does not happen.....I am getting a Sony 1GB with OLEDm it supports mp3 I believe and that should be fine for my road music. 😉 😀

 

[maya]

Screen/no screen, I'm more concerned about whether they include proper lanyard headphones with the new shuffle.

If Apple can manage to to get rid of the headphone jack and use a lanyard that is USB based to plug-in into the Shuffle and draw the audio from the USB connection that would be super kewl.

Just one connection USB 2.0, an OLED screen, and a small control to select the tracks. How simple is that. 😉 🙂

 

[maya]

Oh I know. And then they introduced another ipod. And then they released the ipod photo. Then they released the U2. Then they released the shuffle. Then they updated the photo. Then they released another mini. Then they merged the photo lineup. Then they dropped the mini and added the nano. Then the video.

The ipod is the hottest item selling this holiday season. I'm sure when the figures are released they sold a **** TON of ipods.. more this season than any other season before. I would guess, maybe, more this quarter than any quarter ever before.

That's a hell of a lot of new buyers to piss off, and for what... .5 gigabytes more capacity? Add a black option, but don't piss anyone off with capacity increases.

Sorry to burst your bubble, however Apple has pissed off many iPod Generation buyers and they do not plan on stopping this trend just because they happen to have more iPod consumer this quarter than any other in history.

Many people here complained that they had a 1, 2, 3, 4,G iPod and why they could not get the latest software releases and features. The iPod is a device like any portable CD player that once had CD only, and then CD-R, then CD-RW, and mp3 support. Its a marketing ploy to increase sales. That is how the industry innovates and survives. 😉 🙂

 

[b0x]

But what if Apple don't keep a 1 gb shuffle? What if its replaced by a 1 gb Nano? According to Appleinsider Apple have mocked up a couple of these and were gauging responses!