Mini-mini

Apple Introduces Sub-$100 iPod

Apple Computer launched the iPod shuffle, a miniature version of the iPod and based on the shuffle feature in the digital music players, at the Macworld SF 2005 expo.

It’s touted as “smaller and lighter than a pack of gum”.

Apple said the new device worked seamlessly with iTunes’ AutoFill feature, which automatically selects songs from a user’s music library to fill up iPod shuffle with one click.

The iPod shuffle is available in two models: 512 MB holding up to 120 songs for $99 (indicative local price: about Rs 7,000 inclusive of taxes and customs duties) and 1 GB holding up to 240 songs for $149 (about Rs 11,000).

“With most flash-memory music players users must use tiny displays and complicated controls to find their music; with iPod shuffle you just relax and it serves up new combinations of your music every time you listen,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

Hmmm… The 1 gb model sounds tempting. The internal rechargable battery lasts 12 hours and you have have battery backs containing AAA batteries as backup. Plus, unlike the normal iPod, it works as a USB Mass Storage device. Flash storage means it won’t suffer from harddisk failure or heat build up, flash also lasts about fifteen years longer than the average harddisk lifespan of five. Not to forget that it’s still an iPod, so you can expect the same streamlined control. Too streamlined maybe. The downside is that it has no LCD screen so you can’t select the song you want. Quite a huge downside… x_X

It’s available from Apple Singapore. The release appears to be a simultaneous worldwide release. (Apple Mini took its own sweet time to come here…) However, the shipping date is listed as two weeks… I assume this is because they do not have a sufficiently large inventory of iPod Shuffles in Singapore yet. (all other products have same/next day delivery)