Shuffle to be Replaced by Nano?

[d.perel]

The Shuffle has its own little niche.... They should keep the shuffle in my opinion.

I use mine for excercising, and if it had been a Nano, it would be long since dead. The shuffle has its own purpose, just as the others do

 

[geese]

One selling point about the Shuffle is that it doubles as a memory stick- I know a couple of people who bought one because of that.

You cant do that with a Nano without a separate cable.

I reckon (hope) they'll keep the shuffle, or replace it with something equally as simple and nearly chuck-about-able.

 

[Gasu E.]

It functioned well, but its case was ruined. Also, the screen broke, and while that isn't on the shuffle, the nano interface assumes you have a screen. For instance, picking a song relies on using menus- which you can't see.

In my career comitting insurance fraud, I'm frequently run over by cars. You can't imagine what a comfort it is to listen to tunes while awaiting the ambulance. The shuffle has just been a wonder in the way it can stand up to pretty much any impact. I don't know what I'm going to do now. I suppose I will be able to collect on the extra damage to my nano, but I'm not looking forward to the hassle of continual replacement.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Well, maybe the iPod shuffle will only be available with 512MB, and they'll introduce a 1GB iPod nano?

All I know is, the iPod nano can't replace the iPod shuffle for the following reasons:
- doesn't have a built-in USB connector
- bigger
- complicated interface (when compared to the iPod shuffle)

1) Bigger? Who wants a bigger player. (Jobs WAS joking at the Keynote)

2) Complicated interface? Most people want functionality. And to say the nano interface is complicated is really a strech. Sure in comparison to the no screen interface shuffle its more complicated, but big picture, the nano is pretty easy to use.

 

[Butters]

So was the mini

ah but the mini was replaced by an even mini-er ipod
if the shuffle was replaced by a new better product that would be fine just fine to replace it with a bigger nano though doesn't seem like the best move.

 

[Zmmyt]

My guess is, that Apple knows the strengths of their Shuffle and they will not replace it with a Nano. I think they will redesign the form factor and have a white and black version.

 

[slu]

My little shuffle and I have spent many countless hours doing marathons, training, working out at the gym - it's the iPod I don't mind beating up.

Can someone please explain how an iPod, any iPod, gets beat up in the gym or while working out? Unless you are boxing or playing ice hockey, this arguement never made any sense to me.

I use a 4G 20 GB iPod when I am at the gym, and it never once got beat up. If you have a belt or arm band/clip, then what is the problem? I seriously don't get it.

I like the shuffle and I got one for my wife, but I think that anyone who thinks it would be a mistake to replace the $129 1GB shuffle with a nano of the same price and capacity is just plain crazy. You know how many of these things Apple would sell at that price?

 

[slu]

I use mine for excercising, and if it had been a Nano, it would be long since dead. The shuffle has its own purpose, just as the others do

Please explain how a nano would have been dead from you excercising with it? What type of workout do you do? I just don't buy it. I am not saying the shuffle isn't durable, but the nano isn't made of paper.

 

[nagromme]

Seems more likely that the top Shuffle might be replaced. Why remove the low end of the iPod lineup entirely? There's demand for it, and other companies would love to use that price bracket to gain traction against Apple. I don't see Apple getting out of the low end. And I don't see a Nano, color screen, chrome and all, coming in under $100.

 

[danny_w]

ah but the mini was replaced by an even mini-er ipod
if the shuffle was replaced by a new better product that would be fine just fine to replace it with a bigger nano though doesn't seem like the best move.

Yes, but the nano still can't compete with the mini in many respects (scratch resistance and capacity to name 2). I have a nano and I love it, but would like a 6GB or larger version and not having to use a case.

 

[redeye be]

There is room for improvement on the shuffle, but they shouldn't just nano it. Ooh, the ideas i could sell Steve .
But indeed, i don't see them cutting the lowest end / cheapest iPod model. Are there figures available somewhere showing percentages of different iPod models sold?

The size of a nano is not really a problem -- it's practically shuffle-size already.

I love handling my shuffle, the nano however sits quite uncomfortably in my hand. The only way i find it easy to manipulate is when it is slightly enlarged and rubberized by a skin.

 

[Yvan256]

1) Bigger? Who wants a bigger player. (Jobs WAS joking at the Keynote)

2) Complicated interface? Most people want functionality. And to say the nano interface is complicated is really a strech. Sure in comparison to the no screen interface shuffle its more complicated, but big picture, the nano is pretty easy to use.

I was saying the nano is bigger than the shuffle. And yes, the nano has a complicated interface. I could use a shuffle while on a bike ride (no display to navigate, interface is very tactile and not touch-sensitive, i.e. no scrollwheel), I couldn't do the same thing with a nano.

Both are good players with different uses in mind.

 

[ccrandall77]

So, if they release a 1GB Nano, you'd think it'd have to be priced at $149. There's a couple of things I see wrong with this:

1.) A big reason for having the Shuffle is so there's a low-cost iPod (i.e. sub-$100). With no $99 model, I think they'll lose a lot of sales.

2.) Isn't a Nano formfactor with the color screen a bit overkill for 1GB of capacity?

What makes far more sense to me is to make the 1GB Shuffle $99 since flash prices are cheaper now than when the Shuffle was debuted. And either dump the 512MB Shuffle or price it at something like $79 or less.

-OR-

Dump the 512MB Shuffle, add a 6GB or 8GB Nano and then set the prices at:

1GB Shuffle - $99
2GB Nano - $149
4GB Nano - $199
6/8GB Nano - $249

Even though I have no interest in a shuffle for myself, I think it would be a mistake to get rid of it and maintain at least one sub-$100 iPod option.

 

[Mord]

I was saying the nano is bigger than the shuffle. And yes, the nano has a complicated interface. I could use a shuffle while on a bike ride (no display to navigate, interface is very tactile and not touch-sensitive, i.e. no scrollwheel), I couldn't do the same thing with a nano.

Both are good players with different uses in mind.

i can navigate songs with my 3rd gen while cycleing, now that is a feat.

 

[rjphoto]

Wash and wear

Has anyone run a Nano through the washing machine?

We had a thread several months ago about the shuffle that went for a wash and dry.

After telling my sons about it one of them still did the same thing. After a day of drying out and a recharge it was fine.

Anyone want to test their Nano in the rinse cycle?

 

[gkarris]

iPod Nano w/ Video

So, if they release a 1GB Nano, you'd think it'd have to be priced at $149. There's a couple of things I see wrong with this:

1.) A big reason for having the Shuffle is so there's a low-cost iPod (i.e. sub-$100). With no $99 model, I think they'll lose a lot of sales.

2.) Isn't a Nano formfactor with the color screen a bit overkill for 1GB of capacity?

What makes far more sense to me is to make the 1GB Shuffle $99 since flash prices are cheaper now than when the Shuffle was debuted. And either dump the 512MB Shuffle or price it at something like $79 or less.

-OR-

Dump the 512MB Shuffle, add a 6GB or 8GB Nano and then set the prices at:

1GB Shuffle - $99
2GB Nano - $149
4GB Nano - $199
6/8GB Nano - $249

Even though I have no interest in a shuffle for myself, I think it would be a mistake to get rid of it and maintain at least one sub-$100 iPod option.

I like the above price settings, but slightly modified:

512Meg Shuffle - $59 (maybe?)
1GB Shuffle - $99
2GB Nano - $149
4GB/8GB Nano w/ Video - $199/$249

I have a 60GB iPod with Video and love it! But it is sort of "freaky" carrying around $400 ($500 if you include tax and Applecare) in your pocket that can get ripped of or lost. The battery isn't really the greatest as it's still a hard drive based player.

A video Nano would be cool, as my TV episodes are coming in at 175 Megs/each, can fit a bunch of songs and some videos for trips to the beach, on the bus, etc., without having to carry a really expensive iPod around and get more battery life...

I've seen the Nano screen and it's good enough for really on the go...

 

[yankeefan24]

So was the mini

your right. and the nano isn't as big (capacity) or colorful as the mini was. i just love the color screen of the nano. couldn't go back.

 

[Loge]

The article suggests it costs about $8 to add a screen. That's the difference between the Shuffle as it is now, basically a one trick pony, and a fully functional iPod. If that costing is correct then it seems like a no-brainer.

 

[eXan]

Analyst speculation claims that the Shuffle will soon be replaced by a 1GB version of the Nano.

Similar rumors/speculation appeared in late December prior to Macworld San Francisco.

Hope they get rid of Shuffle... it sucks. As long as 1 GB nano stays around 100$, its a good idea

 

[henryed]

The Shuffle doesn't suck, it does exactly what Apple designed it to do. Nothing more, nothing less.

I have an iPod and a Shuffle and use them for different things. Shuffle is used when I work out. And the iPod for all else. I don't really want to carry a Nano to the gym, it wouldn't last long.

 

[Doctor Q]

The negative ratings are the overwhelming victor for this rumor.

 

[honestguy]

The beauty of the shuffle is that it's so discreet.

I can wear it under a shirt and yet control every function by the press of a button, without every having to take it out. That alone seems unique amongst mp3 players; the rest of which need the body to be held in one hand whilst twisting or pressing some miniscule button with the other.
I'd like to see the shuffle stay as it is, with an enhanced interface which allowed say five playlists to be accessed. This could be easily done without compromising it's simplicity, then I could listen to classical or a book just by pressing a function button a couple of times to scroll through the play list.

 

[Lancetx]

If Apple does discontinue the shuffle, I'll have to buy another before they disappear from stores to keep around as a spare for when my current one ever dies. It's still the perfect iPod for exercise and working out.

 

[Viewtiful Rich]

I don't have to worry about the Shuffle and I love that... it drive me nuts trying to keep a Nano unscratched since I don't like won't use cases.

 

[rog]

i love my shuffle. It's perfect for the gym and I never worry about it, baby it, or have a case for it. I rarely charge the battery. It just works. It's also a USB keychain drive which makes it perfect for transfering big files between home and work. They better not get rid of it. I don't want a nano. That said, the shuffle is pretty big for what it is. Seems like they could make it half the size.