I personally do not think Apple has failed with the iPod Shuffle... mostly because of the fact that a good number of people would like to have an iPod, however cannot justify the cost -- the Shuffle is a good median. For me, personally, the lack of screen isn't too much of a put-off although a simple bare-bones LCD screen would have been nice, but people have used the Walkmen in the past without requiring an interface so it's not impossible to do without.
Actually, in my case, I'm going to get one as in the past had no use for the bigger iPods and could not justify the cost. On the one Gig, I can have more than a few tunes and easily move files for work back and forth between work and home without having to go through the upload/download process.
I am also not a scanner. I tend to put music on and listen to, and absorb it. So a display is not necessary for me.
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"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort".
At under $100 US price point look at the options.
Remind you the SD card reader functionality adds up considerably to the cost of manufacturing these things so that feature of below item could be easily substituted for more capacity (ie 512MB or 1GB).
But as we mentioned in the past Apple certainly didn't want to compete against it's own product line which is OK for Apple but as consumer of course I strongly oppose.
PS: Also the 'failure' in that context was referring to the innovation as well as meeting customers expectations. Yes they will sell in record numbers -unbeliabale isn't it-, but doesn't mean it is the best product and will lower the overall quality of flash based MP3 market for a while (still hopeful that competition will come up with something to beat it in terms of features and comparable price point).
...I personally do not think Apple has failed with the iPod Shuffle... mostly because of the fact that a good number of people would like to have an iPod, however cannot justify the cost...
Not only that, but a larger iPod, even the Mini, would be wasted on me. Do I need to spend roughly $300 or $400 for storage capacity and features I will likely never use? The only listening I do while away from my desktop is radio, while on the commuter train. Radio, even CBC Radio Two, comes with its share of announcer blather, which I find increasingly annoying - and let's not forget that radio playlists almost always contain tracks that you don't like, or don't want to listen to at the moment. When my iPod Shuffle arrives, I will be able to listen to my own playlists (whether shuffled or in order), and be free of announcer and similar interruptions to my enjoyment.
Sure, before now I could have purchased a flash player from another manufacturer - this may sound silly to some but there are those rare times (such as this) when my brand loyalty supercedes everything else. I would rather contribute to Apple's coffers, than to another company's (e.g. Creative etc.) for a product that I may enjoy owning and using.
The iPod Shuffle fits the bill for me, and is exactly what I needed / wanted. If you have to spend so much time criticizing the Shuffle iPod, then it just isn't for you. That does not mean that it will not find a valuable and appreciated place in other consumers' lives. Apple may have failed you with this product, but they have not failed me.
At under $100 US price point look at the options.
Remind you the SD card reader functionality adds up considerably to the cost of manufacturing these things so that feature of below item could be easily substituted for more capacity (ie 512MB or 1GB).
Does not work on a MAC. If you look at my sig, that would pose a problem. Also, by the time I a one gig SD card, it is waaaay overpriced compared to the shuffle. IMHO!
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"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort".
Does not work on a MAC. If you look at my sig, that would pose a problem. Also, by the time I a one gig SD card, it is waaaay overpriced compared to the shuffle. IMHO!
Actually the product referenced above was to show what Apple could come up with(innovation). So therefore it would be cross platform. I also mentioned that 512 MB or 1 GB could be embedded by replacing the 'reader function".
Lately in Apple's defense most people say that they excluded one vital functionality (ie display, indicator) in order to cut costs but I am referencing above product to prove otherwise.
Actually the product referenced above was to show what apple could come up with(innovation). I also mentioned that 512 MB or 1 GB could be embedded by replacing the 'reader function". Mostly in Apple's defense most people say that they excluded one vital functionality (ie display, indicator) in order to cut costs but I am referencing above product to prove otherwise.
Well, they would have managed to cut about .12 cents from the cost by not supplying glass. I think it is more a differentiation move as opposed to a cost cutting move. So, we would tend to agree while disagreeing, I think?
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"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort".
Well put Petie & Doug, however I'd love to have a nice 20 or 40 gig iPod if only because of the massive amount of space to transfer files to and from work. I just can't afford one at this point.
Well, they would have managed to cut about .12 cents from the cost by not supplying glass. I think it is more a differentiation move as opposed to a cost cutting move. So, we would tend to agree while disagreeing, I think?
OK since we are starting to agree with each other (nice I am converting apple owners here-good for me- or I should get a life :P ), how much do you all think this Ipod Shuffle costs apple to manufacture and market?
I think that accessories will make the iPod shuffle a better product.. if someone could come up with an iPod shuffle remote it would be awesome.
I tend to agree too.
When I first set eyes on the Shuffle I thought where's the display...blah blah blah. Then I thought there must be some kind of remote display that comes with it? I was shocked that there isn't one.
But I'm sure a third party company out there will come up with something similar to this…
Sony Mini Disc Remote
If I had a Shuffle I would buy one in a heartbeat. But I don't need one got my iPod
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Mac Pro Quad Xeon 64-bit Workstation • 15" 800Mhz PowerBook G4 • 4th Gen 20GB iPod
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iPod Shuffle Remote
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