Figure I should comment on this “iPod shuffle” that’s exploding on the scene.
I’ll admit, when I first heard the words “$99 iPod” I was tempted. But the lack of a screen really hurts it in my opinion. With no way to pick my song other than rote memorization of track order, well it’s just not gonna work for me. My Muvo TX is about the same physical size, and manages to fit in a small screen. And it only cost me about $90.
Admittedly, the Muvo only has 256mb, compared to the 512 that the $99 version of the iPod shuffle offers. But I can’t help but think if Apple really wanted to include a screen they could have, without bumping the price up too much. Screens have been a pretty standard feature on players for years now; removing it seems like a step backwards, especially for an mp3 player giant like Apple.
Also the marketing on the shuffle really makes me laugh. They’re trying to turn the lack of a screen into a feature somehow. From the official site:
“The trail you run every day looks different with an iPod shuffle. Daily gridlock feels less mundane when you don’t know what song will play next.”
I do love the warning at the bottom of the page: “Do not eat iPod shuffle.”