ipod

09/12/2006, 2:40pm, EDT

Tuesday, September 12th

Apple debuts smaller 1GB iPod shuffle

Apple today introduced the new iPod shuffle, which it calls the world's smallest digital music player. Nearly half the size of the original, the new iPod shuffle is just half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce and features a stunning all-new aluminum design and a built-in clip. The new iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory, which holds up to 240 songs, and is available for $79. "It's hard to believe the new iPod is a real music player when you first see it," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "But it is real, and holds up to 240 songs in an incredibly compact and wearable design that weighs just half an ounce." The iPod shuffle features up to 12 hours of battery life and can be connected to a Mac or PC with the included dock. The new iPod shuffle is expected to be available worldwide in October. [images included]

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Monstermind

Awesome!

09/12, 5:41pm, EDT

Thanks, Steve! If Chinese slave labor can churn out something this rad, I say keep it coming!

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Jason Hurdlow

Removed best feature!!!

09/12, 6:12pm, EDT

The best feature of the iPod Shuffle was the fact that it was so easy to use as a USB memory stick due to the built-in USB connector. In fact I use mine for this purpose more than for listening to music. It's great to have both functions available at the same time. Steve & Co's zeal to make things ever so much smaller has made this iPod actually LESS valuable than the previous version. Way to go!! NOT! And I must say I like the lanyard better than the clip. I can wear the lanyard under my shirt while I shoot hoops or whatnot... I don't see the clip as being as convenient.

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grendel99

Charging more difficult

09/12, 6:27pm, EDT

As much as I like the small size and clip, the fact I need a dock to charge on limits its usefulness. I always liked being able to charge my shuffle on the nearest computer with a USB port.

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I WAS the One

People Please!

09/12, 9:20pm, EDT

This is the most attractive iPod of all. For Real. the Shuffle wasn't made to be a USB stick, it is a music player, and this version of it ROCKS! it is super small, it comes with a dock, and a clip and it's $79 dollars! you do the math. this is the winner here. the shuffle will destroy the iPod. the Nano will be King and the Shuffle will be second, leaving the original iPod in third place of popularity. and thats a fact.

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Kees

I disagree

09/13, 5:58am, EDT

the nano and iPods are true music players. the shuffle was a usb stick that doubled as a music player for almost everyone I know that owns one. I for one don't want to go back to carrying a music player and a data stick, or a music player and a bunch of cables/dock.

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msuper69

"stunning" ?

09/13, 6:37am, EDT

That's not news. That's opinion.

Macnn has been drinking the Steve kool-aid again.

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devilla101

Yeah it sucks

09/13, 6:48pm, EDT

Nice form factor but I liked using my ipod shuffle as a usb stick as well. It recharges whilst I put and take data out. Then when I finish work, take it out and jam all the way back home

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darkelf

whee

09/14, 1:04pm, EDT

i'd rather have the new shuffle, thanks. as would my wife, after she thought of just clipping the thing to a set of full-size headphones.

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Jason Hurdlow

Intentional ?!?

09/14, 9:18pm, EDT

You know I'm wondering if Apple knew the new shuffle would be less desirable in hopes that people would upsell to the Nano. I know I sure wouldn't buy the new shuffle because I own the old one and if the new one can't work as a USB memory stick, what's the point? If I wanted just a pure music player I'd get a Nano or a full-size iPod (if I wanted video). Maybe they're simply trying to kill it and will use the poor sales as justification. You never know with Apple. Now that the Zune is out (with a larger feature set) they really need to be using every advantage they have, not piddling them away.

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paytonc

Fold open

09/15, 2:43pm, EDT

The clip makes it more versatile than the lanyard, and gives it one less piece to lose. I hope that the body is engineered to be squeezed several times a day, since it will be.

SanDisk has a range of SD cards (with the catchy name of Ultra II SD Plus USB) which fold open to reveal a male USB plug. I'm sure it's under patent, but it would be a perfect thing to add to this.

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