Didn't see a thread on this, so I thought I'd start one. For those who don't know, it's a flash memory based iPod with 512Mb or 1Gb capacity, priced at £69 or £99.

It connects via USB 1 or 2 and can also be used as a "pen drive" or whatever you like to call them. It syncs with either a random selection from your iTunes library, specific playlists or you can manually manage songs as usual (ie. drag and drop).

12 hour battery life, although obviously the data will remain stored after the battery is discharged.

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipodshuffle/

 

Yep looks cool for the money thats for sure, and all the rumours about a low priced box only mac were true as well, all good stuff.

Gary

 

Very tempting, but a bit overpriced when you consider the amount of storage the "big" iPod offers.

 

That's the idea

 

1GB is £99inc VAT on the Apple UK Store.

I'm tempted...

I've been looking to upgrade my 128MB MPIO DMK which lives in my coat pocket. That's 88(H) x 29(W) x 23(D)mm, so the Shuffle at 84(H) x 25(W) x 8.4(D) looks great. Would be nice to have 5GB but the Mini at 91(H) by 51(W) by 13(D) is possibly just a little too big.

I also I want my new player to double as a USB memory key, so the Shuffle's USB connector is spot on.

I can't say the lack of screen bothers me - when I'm using it at the gym it's stuffed in my pocket so who cares? I would like radio but could live without it.

Do you have to use iTunes to load it? Or can you D 'n' D via Explorer?

Play.com have a 1GB for £99 as well.

On the other hand, I could buy a 512MB or 1GB MMC for my new Phone and just that.

Decisions, decisions, gadgets, gadgets

 

>Do you have to use iTunes to load it? Or can you D 'n' D via Explorer?

I can't think of one good reason why you wouldn't want to use iTunes. But I'm sure I read you didn't have to.

 

One less application to have to load up and mess with.

Also means you can load stuff onto it away from your regular PC.

 

Most windows users are used to having a million one apps and hard drives full of $hit, whats another app???

Gary

 

Hey, I'm a minimilist

 

You have to use iTunes as the Shuffle needs to use the iTunes DB to store playcount etc. When I said "drag and drop" I meant that you could drag songs from your iTunes Library onto your Shuffle in the Source List rather than have it autosync.

The music folder is "hidden" on the Shuffle just like regular iPods so you'll need additional apps. like Anapod Explorer to see it in Explorer.

 

Ahh, thank you. Can it be used a memory stick without the extra utilities?

 

Yeah just mounts as a standard volume in Explorer or the Finder. Can be formatted as FAT32 (for Mac and PC use) or HFS+ (Mac only)

 

Quoted from Apple's UK site:

"Music capacity is based on 4 minutes per song and 128Kbps AAC encoding.

Do not chew iPod shuffle...."

 

Thanks class_A

 

Well looks like they're shipping (my god Apple is shipping something ON TIME!)

Traditional Apple hardware unpacking pics...
http://tinokaltsas.com/gallery/view_...Shuffle&page=1

Looks like Mac mini's are on the way out the door too...
http://www.macnn.com/news/27749