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iPod What Should The New Shuffles Look Like?

Jay42

Jay42

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 14, 2005
1,416
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Given recent introduction of the low-end nano, there has been some question about the future of the shuffle or even if it will continue to exist. What do you want to see in the 2g shuffle if we ever see one?

I would love to see integrated bluetooth. It would be great to have an "update" button that could wake your mac via BT and tell iTunes to update podcasts and transfer any new songs or episodes wirelessly. To me, this would be a great product. It would also be compatible with BT headphones but probably would not include them because of cost. There is also the possibility of a BT iPod being a FrontRow remote given the similarities between the shuffle and the Apple IR Remote.

What are your thoughts? I know there is a lot of people that wouldn't mind seeing the shuffle go, but I, for one, would be disappointed.
 
Would be cool to have BT for the shuffle for the reasons you mentioned (wireless updates, BT headphones, remote for FrontRow), but as I see it there are some problems with that...

1) You have to plug a shuffle into your computer to charge it, so wirelessly syncing would be a bit of a gimmick - not practical at all.

2) BT devices, despite the low cost of BT chips, seem to be very expensive, the shuffle has to be kept CHEAP to fit into the product like; <$100.

3) BT is pretty slow, not sure it would be very useful for moving 512+ mb of data at a reasonable speed.

What I would like to see is:

1) Smaller size, a little more streamlined. The current shuffle is pretty boxy and just a tad thick for my tastes. About the length of a big man's thumb and the thickness of a 5G iPod, width can stay the same it is now.

2) Lots of colors. They're just molded plastic, they should be available in a dozen shades or more.

3) A screen. I know the nano now has a super cheap 1gb version with a screen, but I think there is room for a screen in a new shuffle line. Not a full color deal, but an ePaper type display that shows a small graphic for battery life, and the name of the song/artist or a little custom message if it's off/on standby. Just a cheap little one line of text display with a small graphic on the edge.
 
Hmm, I don't know exactly how big a 'big man's thumb' is, for some reason I can't imagine jobs ordering shuffles to be 'big man's thumb' size.

I do see a black version, but no screen. They have to make a profit on these and adding screens sets a precedent for the future, (they can't remove it later when they want to also add BT.

Seems logical to me, want a screen pay 50 more bucks. Other than a new form to keep things interesting I don't see much to do with it. Adding BT before the other models seems strange.

BTW, I'm just joking about your thumb comment, I couldn't resist.
 
If they do continue with the shuffle, I think we'll just see a size reduction - probably just the height - and probably colours. BT would be a nice gimmick in the Shuffle but not worth the expense or loss in playback time. Plus there is no way Jobs would put a relatively high-end feature in the most basic line.

If BT/Wireless will happen, it will happen in the top of the range line first - whether thats an iPod or vPod we shall see...
 
I think a good option would be an optional add on screen.

It would fit into the iPod kind of like the iTrip for the Nano does. And then it would cover one side, though possibly still over the same controls that side would normally offer.

I think that the screen isn't needed for most people, but if they wanted it, they could shell out the extra cash.
 
I would like to see them add an easy way to have it be put on a keychain. I currently really like my flash drive I have on my keychain. I wouldnt mind have a music player USB flash drive replace it. It would need a good way to keep the cap from coming off and getting loss and all that jazz. But that would be pretty sweet
 
Something a little different idea-wise...

A nano that lights up (like a white, Halloween glowstick) when certain button combinations are held down.

Not particularly useful.
Not particularly practical.

Would look neat in the dark. :D
 
How bout this? 5 mins photoshop. thats why it sucks!
 

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dejo said:
I've posted this elsewhere but I still really like this design:
Click to expand...


If it had to have a screen, this would be the way to go. I agree.

I still like not having a screen personally. :)
 
Seasought said:
If it had to have a screen, this would be the way to go. I agree.

I still like not having a screen personally. :)
Click to expand...

I have a shuffle and agree. The screen is not necessary. But if they're gonna add one...
 
I'd like it to be as small as my SanDisk Cruzer Micro. And with a good solid way to attach it to a keychain or lanyard. But most of all I want it to maintain its high audio quality.

Yeah, I know since it needs a battery it will never be as small as that, but it's a happy dream.


Crikey
 
I think Apple just called their own bluff

DAP that plays back your tunes at random, with no screen, come on now
 
Since I use to own a shuffle (my wife got me a Nano for Christmas) I must add the one and only thing that I think needs changing on the shuffle:

Make the damn thing thin enough that I can use it on my iBook without unplugging my mouse!

Other than that, if you want a screen get a nano. ;) That is all..
 
watcher2001 said:
Why exactly do you hate xD? Is it too fast for you? My only problem with it is that it is too danged expensive.
Click to expand...

Yet another unnecessary, incompatible, low-capacity, slow, and expensive format. I refuse to buy stuff that use this or that other Memory Stick crap.
 
The Shuffle will slowly die leaving us with just the Nano, iPod Video (current model) and the new REAL iPod video out in April.

Shadow
 
The shuffle is great the way it is now. The only thing I'd like to see is a decrease in size; make it a little thinner and shorter.
 
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