iPod Shuffle To Be Discontinued?

[Agent Smith]

I love my Shuffle more than my 3G iPod, for the simple reason that it is uber-portable. The Nano is neat in that it is thin and has a screen, but given the choice between a Nano and a Shuffle, Shuffle all the way. That and the fact that it doubles as a flash drive just increases its utility.

 

[Riverrafter21]

I love my shuffle and use it all the time...I would like to see it stay around, as I would prefer not to take my 5g ipod to the gym and out in the woods

 

[kugino]

needed a thumb drive for my new MB

so i ordered a refurb 1GB shuffle...with the $50 ipod rebate, it cost me $30 for the shuffle...not too shabby. my wife has a nano and a shuffle...she uses her shuffle while working out and her nano while commuting. each has their uses...

 

[JQW]

It may explain why Audible have been giving iPod Shuffles away free to new subscribers to their service for the past few months.

 

[jagolden]

The Nano is very tiny, almost as small as the Shuffle, and like the Shuffle it has no HD and is safe for shocks during exercise.

But the price point is important. If the Shuffle goes, a new Shuffle/Nano/something will replace it.

(And Spymac was once reliable for rumors? I take MR's word for it but all I remember is iWalk )

In size and shape the Shuffle and Nano are completely different.
The shuffle is bare bones smplicity. No need to see it to operate it.
Play/pause, foward/back, volume up/down.

The design and construction make it the sturdiest iPod. I'd like to see the Nano survive a night or two of me rolling around on it while I sleep!

A 1 or 2 line screen so I can see what I'm choosing would be nice but not necessary.

With the 2 gig Nano, you have to perform at least basic navigation just to get to play.

 

[milo]

The Shuffle was the only iPod with transcode-on-the-fly ability from iTunes. I hap hoped this ability would be added to the other iPods as well. Conversely, Apple are pulling the only iPod which had this ability...

But sadly, the shuffle is missing other features for no good reason. You can't have podcasts go to your shuffle automatically?? You can't even put podcasts on with autofill, you can only do it manually.

The competition has devices that work with cheaply available external storage and that have some form of display, in the same price range. The capacity issue will become more and more important, given the plummetting price of flash memory.

Really? What mp3 players can you get for $69?

I'll still take connectivity with iTunes over a screen any day.

 

[cadillac cactus]

I've been waiting for this new lineup to take effect since the 1GB Nano was released, so really no surprise here.

Just a guess, but I'm thinking the lineup will end up being something like this:
iPod Nano 1GB (Shuffle Line Replacement)
iPod Nano 2GB (Shuffle Line Replacement)
iPod Nano 6GB (Current Nano Line Replacement)
iPod Nano 8GB (Current Nano Line Replacement)
"iPod AV" 60GB (Current 5G Line Replacement)
"iPod AV" 80GB (Current 5G Line Replacement)

Again, just a guess, but I could see it working out nicely actually.

i doubt they would leave a gap that large. i could see something like what youve proposed, only leaving the 5g ipods in the mix as well.

 

[gman71882]

Doubt its gonna happen... its just gonna get updated with a LCD display and the same form factor.
Apple will keep a bottom line MP3 player out there. its a great second purchase as well as a gift at that price. cant beat it.

 

[octoberdeath]

no they should just make it cheaper so more people buy it as a jumpdrive with the added bonus of playing music. start selling the 512 for like $30 and the 1Gb for like $50 and people would be buying them like hot cakes!! i would go and buy a couple of them to give away as gifts. gosh that $69 price doesn't seem to bad...but talk about really flying off the shelfs for $30.

 

[Pancake]

no they should just make it cheaper so more people buy it as a jumpdrive with the added bonus of playing music. start selling the 512 for like $30 and the 1Gb for like $50 and people would be buying them like hot cakes!! i would go and buy a couple of them to give away as gifts. gosh that $69 price doesn't seem to bad...but talk about really flying off the shelfs for $30.

I agree they would fly off the shelves, but I think that price would make the Nano look too expensive and hurt sales for it.

 

[octoberdeath]

I agree they would fly off the shelves, but I think that price would make the Nano look too expensive and hurt sales for it.

well thats when they could release the new price point for all the nanos and release larger capacity ones to complete the pricing tier. so the 1GB nano would be $100 and then go up from there. that would mean people would pay a premium for haveing a screen and click wheel.

 

[Slilock]

Interestingly, the Shuffle's got the best sound quality of the lot. Hope the other iPods catch up in this respect.

This is true. I love my 512MB Shuffle!

 

[peharri]

Really? What mp3 players can you get for $69?

Take a look on Amazon.com. That kind of price range seems to be dominated with 512Mb-1G units, with screens and frequently removable storage.

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4

I'll still take connectivity with iTunes over a screen any day.

Well, YMMV. In the mean time, I certainly hope Apple can replace the Shuffle with something more competitive. Flash prices keep dropping, it's not hard to see them increasing the capacity of the iPod nanos, and then, perhaps, coming up with a sub-$100 model that replaces the Shuffle. Integration with iTunes and a decent screen. Though still likely no removable battery or external storage. Probably "good enough" though to sell on style and brand alone.

 

[ikonq]

Its just great for running and theres no real alternative on the iPod line for those interested in using it for excerise. It will stay.

Except of course, the iPod Nano with the Nike Kit. That's biting at the Shuffle's market.

 

[sushi]

I, for one, would like to see the Shuffle stay around... It's a thumb drive with music capabilities how I see it . Nano is too big for thumb-drive, and you'd have to carry a cable.

Exactly.

I hope to see a bigger Shuffle so their is more space for the thumb drive and music. Maybe a 2GB version?

BTW, the Shuffle is so cool because of it's simplicity and ease of use. Plus, as you stated, you don't have to carry a cable to use it as a Thumb drive.

 

[sushi]

You forget the Mom factor. Not being a geek something like scrolling through menus and playlists and all is too confusing for her (and other non technoids). Let's face it - she still carries a cassette deck cuz it's easy.

A shuffle with a big PLAY button is jsut what she needs.

You bring up a very good point.

The Nano and Video iPod require the user to actually handle the device and to select what they want. This is not always easy or convenient. Take skiing. Unless you are rich and can afford a special iPod jacket with the built in buttons, most folks have to take out the iPod (Nano or Video) and use bare finders to control it.

The Shuffle on the other hand, allows for very easy control as the buttons are easy to select even through an exercise or ski jacket.

Different iPods lend themselves to different activities.

Plus, I like the Shuffles display. It has all the info that I need and is easier to use than a Nano or Video iPod. Note I am joking, but in reality iTunes does make it easy to load and control your Shuffle.

 

[sushi]

In size and shape the Shuffle and Nano are completely different.

This is why I like the Shuffle for athletic activities. It is so much easier to hold with sweaty hands than a Nano.

Plus, the controls are rock solid and can work with gloves or with bare fingers.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I own a 5G 30GB iPod, and got a used shuffle on the cheap for many of the reasons people have posted. It's easy to use, you don't have to look at it to use it.

The iPod click wheel is the best interface ever, but you have to be careful when you reach for your iPod, so you don't mess up the volume, etc. I understand you can use the hold switch, but it can all be a hassle if you're doing something while listening to music.

With the Shuffle, you can feel for the buttons and pause/skip/etc. without looking at it. The lanyard is also handy, and you don't have to worry about scratching it up, etc. Finally, my listening habits actually change for the better, because I have set up a bunch of smart lists that I randomly autofill on my Shuffle. (of course I can basically do the same with my regular iPod, but the autofill feature is easy to use and for the Shuffle only.)

I'd consider a cheap flash unit from another company, but will take the Shuffle's great iTunes integration over a flash player with a display from another company.

The nano will continue to increase in capacity, so there should always be room for a cheap Apple player. If anything, maybe Apple can come out with a new and improved Shuffle with a small 1-line display or something.

 

[johnmcboston]

It's easy to use, you don't have to look at it to use it.

Another good point. (more Mom factor) - you don't need to go for the reading glasses in order to find a playlist and start the music.

 

[floriflee]

I love my Shuffle more than my 3G iPod, for the simple reason that it is uber-portable. The Nano is neat in that it is thin and has a screen, but given the choice between a Nano and a Shuffle, Shuffle all the way. That and the fact that it doubles as a flash drive just increases its utility.

I completely agree. Some of the big draws towards my getting a shuffle was it's cheap price, the portability factor (I just hang it around my neck, tuck it into my shirt and go running with it), and the dual use as an MP3 player/flash drive. I hate having a million different devices to clutter my space. If some of them, at least, can serve multiple purposes then I'm all for it. I hope it, or at least something like it, stays around.

 

[sam10685]

change the form factor of the nano at least. if ur going to discontinure the shuffle, make a 1 gig., 2 gig., 4 gig., 6 gig., and 10 gig. start the 1 gig. pricing at 99 bucks.

 

[jesusphreak]

They need to put an FM tuner on the shuffle.

IMO, Apple needs to update the shuffle feature-wise to something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1115835?_encoding=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

 

[madmaxmedia]

I think an upgrade of some sort is in order. A 1GB Shuffle with a small screen or tuner, etc. would be preferable to a 2GB Shuffle in its current iteration. Plus, there's really no room to go up in memory anyways with the Nano.

I don't think they're going to add a FM tuner though, since none of the other iPods have them.

 

[SeaFox]

What I like most about my Shuffle is that it is practically disposable. If I lost it, broke it or had it stolen, I wouldn't be that upset, because it is less than $100 US.

So you wouldn't be super pissed if you lost $70? Damn, wish I could be so freewheeling with my money. $20 is about the limit for me on "damn, that was a dumb loss".

They need to put an FM tuner on the shuffle.

The full size iPods should get FM tuners and recording capability, I mean built in ones, not stupid dongle headphone/dock attachments. They had that iPod rip-off "SuperPod"? or something like that and it had an FM tuner and a voice memo recorder. Too bad Apple doesn't take a cue from their imitators on some of this stuff.

I was personally waiting for a Shuffle redesign (slimmer) and black availablity before I bought one.

 

[tedrjr03]

i personally like the shuffle. i like its convinence and its duribility. i think that we just need an update.