2GB and 4GB iPod Shuffles?

[dontmatter]

Clearly, the $149 price point of the 1GB Shuffle made it easy for consumers to add another $50 and get 4X capacity and a nice screen.The recent price drop on the 1GB indicates a desire on Apple's part to clear out inventory. If they were just reducing price due to manufacturing savings (economy of scale), the 512MB version probably would have dropped to $89 or maybe even $79.

I can't see more than 2GB in a screenless player. They'd need to add some type of screen for 4GB. Random is one thing, totally unmanageable is quite another.
As the Mini gets bigger and closes the gap to the color iPod, we'll see a return of the 30GB capacity, and the 60GB will increase.

My guess is that, by the time we get to the Paris event, we'll see a new line-up:
1GB Shuffle $99
2GB Shuffle $129

6GB Mini $199
8GB Mini $249

30GB iPod $299
80GB iPod $399

Yup, that's just about right. 4 GB would be too much on a shuffle-too hard to navigate, too close to the mini in size, and probably too expensive for apple to keep at current price scheme, I'd say. Not so sure they'll go to 30GB and 80 for the regulars, though... there's a point of diminishing returns with size. It would be smarter for them to shrink the ipod and maintain capacity, than to serve such a niche market of music hoggs.

 

[dontmatter]

Clearly, the $149 price point of the 1GB Shuffle made it easy for consumers to add another $50 and get 4X capacity and a nice screen.The recent price drop on the 1GB indicates a desire on Apple's part to clear out inventory. If they were just reducing price due to manufacturing savings (economy of scale), the 512MB version probably would have dropped to $89 or maybe even $79.

I can't see more than 2GB in a screenless player. They'd need to add some type of screen for 4GB. Random is one thing, totally unmanageable is quite another.
As the Mini gets bigger and closes the gap to the color iPod, we'll see a return of the 30GB capacity, and the 60GB will increase.

My guess is that, by the time we get to the Paris event, we'll see a new line-up:
1GB Shuffle $99
2GB Shuffle $129

6GB Mini $199
8GB Mini $249

30GB iPod $299
80GB iPod $399

Yup, that's just about right. 4 GB would be too much on a shuffle-too hard to navigate, too close to the mini in size, and probably too expensive for apple to keep at current price scheme, I'd say. Not so sure they'll go to 30GB and 80 for the regulars, though... there's a point of diminishing returns with size. It would be smarter for them to shrink the ipod and maintain capacity, than to serve such a niche market of music hoggs.

 

[quitesurreal]

4GB flash

If they have the chips to make 4GB flash drives, why can't they string some of those chips together and deliver an 8GB (or more) solid state (no disk drive) iPod mini. Also, add USB drive capability.

Another idea, make the flash media separate from the iPod Shuffle or mini. I have several play lists that border on or above the 1GB size mark. Would be nice to have one player and the capability of swapping out the flash memory to swap out playlists.

 

[Mtn Tamale]

Product Differentiation...here's the lineup

Actually, based on what I'm reading, I'd bet:

1GB Shuffle $99
2GB Shuffle with Screen $139

4GB Flash memory thin Mini $179
6GB Mini with color screen $229

30GB iPod $299
60GB iPod $399

This way there is still lots of product differentiation beyond just the storage capacity. A 2GB shuffle with a screen for $40 more...compelling. A 4GB, half thickness mini for only $40 more than that...compelling again. A 6GB with color screen for $50 more...less compelling, but better than nothing. Apple has no reason to expand the high end range just yet. Their expensive 60 GB model doesn't sell as it is.

Clearly, the $149 price point of the 1GB Shuffle made it easy for consumers to add another $50 and get 4X capacity and a nice screen.The recent price drop on the 1GB indicates a desire on Apple's part to clear out inventory. If they were just reducing price due to manufacturing savings (economy of scale), the 512MB version probably would have dropped to $89 or maybe even $79.

I can't see more than 2GB in a screenless player. They'd need to add some type of screen for 4GB. Random is one thing, totally unmanageable is quite another.
As the Mini gets bigger and closes the gap to the color iPod, we'll see a return of the 30GB capacity, and the 60GB will increase.

My guess is that, by the time we get to the Paris event, we'll see a new line-up:
1GB Shuffle $99
2GB Shuffle $129

6GB Mini $199
8GB Mini $249

30GB iPod $299
80GB iPod $399

 

[JDOG_]

If the computers were updated regularly, you could update the ipod every quarter & nobody would mind. It becomes an issue when the ipod (cash cow that it is) takes precedence over the main line. For example the ibook - 254 days since an update, on the other hand the ipod shuffle introduction & proposed update in approx 180 days, the Mac Mini's hardware is too old for Tiger (irrespective of the importance of the say the ripple effect, the hardware should be able to handle everything the OS asks of it). I'll accept that Apple has had problems with the CPU but why not offer extra features such as better graphics, more memory, bigger HD's & AE. BT & lower pricing...
Bring on the ipods, BUT also bring on the computers!

This is optimistic yes, but don't forget Apple split up iPod & Macs into separate branches of R&D. Thus neither branch is requiring an overlap of resources or personell. Likewise, both branches are well-funded and thus should be coming out with product as soon as manufacturing allows.

ALSO, another big thing you're neglecting to think about is that iPods as a device (across the whole line) and dependant on two things really: memory (hard drives and flash memory) and batteries. Both of which have seen tremendous increases during the iPod's lifetime.

You're comparing iPods to computers, which despite marketing purposes on Apple's part are two separate things. Computers rely on a bevy of hardware to get going, but mainly the processor...in this case the PowerPC model, something which Apple has even come out to say (at WWDC05) as being hindered in speed by IBM's inability to produce faster chips.

So you see it's kind of Apples & Oranges...*no pun intended*

 

[intlplby]

i don't see why everyone says that 4gb just doesn't make sense, because you can't navigate through it all.... just because you have 4 gbs doesn't mean you have to use all of it for music.

at 4gbs people don't have to have a flash player and a flash thumbdrive... one device satisfies both.....



i know a bunch of people who frequently use their 20gb-60gb in shuffle mode a lot of the time....

i would love to see a shuffle mode that keeps track of play count and doesn't play a song again until every other song is played at least the same number of times. (i.e. least play count preference)

 

[Platform]

How often are they going to come........every week 😱 😱 😛

 

[1984]

An iPod Shuffle with a screen is not an iPod Shuffle at all.

 

[lelereb]

Where is the problem with a 2gb shuffle without a screen? You just need to double the bitrate in order to fill it with the same number of song. 😎

 

[m-dogg]

Actually, based on what I'm reading, I'd bet:

1GB Shuffle $99
2GB Shuffle with Screen $139

4GB Flash memory thin Mini $179
6GB Mini with color screen $229

30GB iPod $299
60GB iPod $399

This way there is still lots of product differentiation beyond just the storage capacity. A 2GB shuffle with a screen for $40 more...compelling. A 4GB, half thickness mini for only $40 more than that...compelling again. A 6GB with color screen for $50 more...less compelling, but better than nothing. Apple has no reason to expand the high end range just yet. Their expensive 60 GB model doesn't sell as it is.

I disagree about the high end - I want to upgrade my 30 gig ipod (the biggest they made at the time) but I'm waiting for it to increase in size more than 60. I currently have 40 gb of music, & 10 gb of pictures - I want more room to grow than just 10 gb and I'd like the option to be able to transport large files (like video) from computer to computer without having to remove any music or pics to do so. Plus I have a lot of music that I'd like to re-rip at a higher bitrate but can't until I have more space.

On the low end, I wouldn't buy anything larger than the 512 shuffle I already own for exercise unless some sort of screen or support for different playlists was added...

 

[surfsofa]

Keep a cheap option

I don't mind what they do to the iPod range, as long as they keep a cheap flash model. The way I've found I'm using mine I'm updating it all the time with podcasts and the like, so big capacity isn't required (I even think my 1GB is a bit unnecessary). Plus if it got stolen / dropped / lost I wouldn't be devastated.

So, please keep a cheapo option and then go to town on the rest 🙂

 

[Doctor Q]

I doubt it will be convinient to shuffle-navigate thru 4 gig of music without screen.

... unless they add a clever audio-based navigation system. We discussed this in the forums once before, and the idea comes to mind again. Without a screen, it would be nice to have a navigation system that lets you hear (spoken) the names of playlists, and maybe of artists and tunes. It doesn't have to be as crude as "For English, press 1" voicemail systems, but would be a step up from flying completely blind as the capacity of the shuffle increases.

A flipside to "increased iPod shuffle capacity for the same price" is "decreased iPod shuffle price for the same capacity". Could Apple possibly make a newer cheaper low end to the line, e.g., will we eventually see 512MB shuffles for $24.99 along with the packages of gum and other impulse items in the supermarket checkout line?

Since Apple obviously wants my advice about all of this, I'll propose that they come out with the iPod photo shuffle, which has no screen but lets you listen to your photos in random order! 😉

 

[macorama]

don't forget podcasting!

What about podcasting - Apple's started to make a big deal about this, so maybe the killer feature for upcoming iPods will be sound recording? That'll drive demand for storage space too, you'll need room for your music + your recording.

 

[MacTruck]

The shuffle sucks. Get an ipod. Do you turn on the tv and whatever is on throw away the remote? NO. These things desperately need a screen period.

 

[jjd]

Flash with screen is coming for sure

Apple has a HUGE inventory surplus of Shuffles. Hence the price cuts. The zealots (like me) rushed in and bought them intitally, but the truth is that the lack of a screen doesn't fly with masses. As many have pointed out, there are lots of cheaper and better options that have screens and FM receivers... Sure, they're not as cool - most of them are downright hideous to look at. But, if the Sony player synched with iTunes I would own one. I think the only reason to buy the current flash based players from Apple and not Sony is the compatibility with iTunes and AAC. Samsung have made it clear that they intend to become the #2 overall player in MP3 market, and they are going to do it with flash.

4GB flash will be too expensive in the short term, and supplies in quantity will be hard to secure given Samsung is a major supplier and competitor. But 2GB with a screen is coming for sure. Agreed that "Shuffle" will then be a misnomer. Not sure what they'll do about that. Perhaps "Shuffle Plus" or somehting... ??

My 2 cents.

 

[senecaripple]

well, no new shuffles

almost august and still no upgrade on the shuffles. guess they will arrive just before or aftter xmas if it comes out at all! guess i'm stuck using my 40 gb ipod photo.

 

[mpw]

🙁 ....guess i'm stuck using my 40 gb ipod photo.

Guess I'm stuck with other peoples conversations and traffic noise as I have no iPod ½, 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 40 or 60GB 😡

 

[steve_hill4]

Guess I'm stuck with other peoples conversations and traffic noise as I have no iPod ½, 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 40 or 60GB 😡

Missed out 30 😉

 

[The Truth]

The shuffle sucks. Get an ipod. Do you turn on the tv and whatever is on throw away the remote? NO. These things desperately need a screen period.

No I don't throw the remote away because I didn't program the TV to only show my favorite shows.

 

[Mac Dummy]

Somebody's gonna get in trouble!

Speaking of 2Gb and 4Gb Ipod shuffles I found an awfully authentic looking and somewhat suspicious Photoshopped website for the supposedly 2Gb shuffle.

http://www.tidbits.com/resources/773/double.html

This site looks exactly like the Apple Ipod site, except for the photos and some of the text.

Crazy! 🙄

 

[Mac Dummy]

What about podcasting - Apple's started to make a big deal about this, so maybe the killer feature for upcoming iPods will be sound recording? That'll drive demand for storage space too, you'll need room for your music + your recording.

There a products already out on the market for sound recording from Griffin Technology and Belkin.

 

[Bubbasteve]

There a products already out on the market for sound recording from Griffin Technology and Belkin.

Good point but if my memory serves me right there was a camera adapter for the iPod that was made by Griffin or Belkin and when Apple released the 30 GB iPod Photo they released their own Camera adapter for the iPod photo line which was significantly cheaper than the 3rd parties. Although I personally doubt that Apple would release a sound recording device for the iPod, I wouldn't necessarily rule it out.

 

[jmurray]

just maybe...

What about increasing the flash size to 2G or 4G without marketing it as an increase in total number of songs, rather, to promote better audio. Indeed, Apple could be the leader once again by informing all the MP3-128kbps compression scheme folks that AAC at 192kbps or Apple Lossless or AIFF with no compression at all is better audio.

This dovetails into a lot of recent discussion about higher-end ear buds and custom molds with Shure or Sensaphonics drivers. The high-end iPod user who isloates him or herself from the ambient noise of the world by using custom molds will not be listening to 128kbps.

Just a thought...

JM