Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
First-Generation iPod Shuffle Turns 14 Today
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the unveiling of the first-generation iPod shuffle, presented by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs on stage at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. On January 11, 2005, Apple debuted the first-of-its-kind iPod shuffle, which completely lacked a display, weighed 0.78 ounces, and held up to 240 songs (on the 1GB model) that would be played randomly.
Image via Wired/Getty Images
At the Expo, Jobs called the iPod shuffle "smaller and lighter than a pack of gum," and touted the device's low-end 512MB model, which ran for $99 in the United States and could hold up to 120 songs (the 1GB version cost $149). "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," Jobs said.
Like previous iPods, iPod shuffle connected to a user's iTunes account to sync downloaded music onto the media player. The iPod shuffle also supported AutoFill, which automatically selected the perfect number of songs to fill out the iPod shuffle from iTunes. Besides randomly playing music on shuffle, users could also flip a switch on the back of the device to play music in order.
The iPod shuffle also doubled as a portable USB flash drive that users could store personal files on to exchange between computers. In the original press release, Apple mentioned that the iPod shuffle was the latest member of the iPod family, which at the time included the fourth generation iPod, iPod mini, iPod U2 Special Edition, and iPod photo.
Apple highlighted the iPod shuffle's portability in its first ads
Apple also sold accessories at the launch of the iPod shuffle, like an armband that turned the device into an athletic accessory, a sport case that came with a neck strap, a dock, and a USB power adapter. There was even a battery pack that extended the iPod shuffle's life from 12 hours to 20 additional hours. Every iPod shuffle came with an included lanyard so users could wear the small device around their neck.
iPod shuffle was a notable release for the iPod lineup because of its huge departure from the typical iPod feature set. Besides a display, it lacked a scroll wheel, ability to manage playlists, and typical iPod features like games, address book contacts, calendar, alarm, and other software mainstays of the iPods before the shuffle.
The only buttons on the front of the iPod shuffle were for Play/Pause, Next Song/Fast Forward, Previous Song/Reverse, and volume rockers. The back held a battery level indicator light, and the three-way switch that turned the device off or alternated between randomly playing music or playing it in order. The bottom of the iPod shuffle had a removable cap where the USB plug was hidden.
Every iPod shuffle generation by Matthieu Riegler via Wikimedia Commons
Apple eventually updated the iPod shuffle throughout numerous generations. The second generation debuted on September 12, 2006, coming in at half the size of the original model and with a built-in belt clip.
The third generation iPod shuffle launched on March 11, 2009, which returned to the long, rectangular design of the original device but introduced a brushed aluminum frame and VoiceOver features. This model completely lacked playback and volume controls on the device itself, and resigned these controls to the included EarBuds.
iPod shuffle third generation
The fourth generation of iPod shuffle came out on September 1, 2010, again returning to a previous design by mimicking the square body of the second generation, while offering a bevy of colors for customers to choose from. This was ultimately the last generation of iPod shuffle to release from Apple, and the line is now dead.
iPod shuffle fourth generation
As of July 27, 2017, Apple discontinued the iPod shuffle family by removing it from the company website and online store. At that time, the iPod shuffle had been on the market for twelve and a half years. Apple also discontinued the iPod nano on the same day, leaving the iPod touch as the only remaining device in the iPod lineup.
At the Expo, Jobs called the iPod shuffle "smaller and lighter than a pack of gum," and touted the device's low-end 512MB model, which ran for $99 in the United States and could hold up to 120 songs (the 1GB version cost $149). "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," Jobs said.
Like previous iPods, iPod shuffle connected to a user's iTunes account to sync downloaded music onto the media player. The iPod shuffle also supported AutoFill, which automatically selected the perfect number of songs to fill out the iPod shuffle from iTunes. Besides randomly playing music on shuffle, users could also flip a switch on the back of the device to play music in order.
The iPod shuffle also doubled as a portable USB flash drive that users could store personal files on to exchange between computers. In the original press release, Apple mentioned that the iPod shuffle was the latest member of the iPod family, which at the time included the fourth generation iPod, iPod mini, iPod U2 Special Edition, and iPod photo.
Apple also sold accessories at the launch of the iPod shuffle, like an armband that turned the device into an athletic accessory, a sport case that came with a neck strap, a dock, and a USB power adapter. There was even a battery pack that extended the iPod shuffle's life from 12 hours to 20 additional hours. Every iPod shuffle came with an included lanyard so users could wear the small device around their neck.
iPod shuffle was a notable release for the iPod lineup because of its huge departure from the typical iPod feature set. Besides a display, it lacked a scroll wheel, ability to manage playlists, and typical iPod features like games, address book contacts, calendar, alarm, and other software mainstays of the iPods before the shuffle.
The only buttons on the front of the iPod shuffle were for Play/Pause, Next Song/Fast Forward, Previous Song/Reverse, and volume rockers. The back held a battery level indicator light, and the three-way switch that turned the device off or alternated between randomly playing music or playing it in order. The bottom of the iPod shuffle had a removable cap where the USB plug was hidden.
Apple eventually updated the iPod shuffle throughout numerous generations. The second generation debuted on September 12, 2006, coming in at half the size of the original model and with a built-in belt clip.
The third generation iPod shuffle launched on March 11, 2009, which returned to the long, rectangular design of the original device but introduced a brushed aluminum frame and VoiceOver features. This model completely lacked playback and volume controls on the device itself, and resigned these controls to the included EarBuds.
The fourth generation of iPod shuffle came out on September 1, 2010, again returning to a previous design by mimicking the square body of the second generation, while offering a bevy of colors for customers to choose from. This was ultimately the last generation of iPod shuffle to release from Apple, and the line is now dead.
As of July 27, 2017, Apple discontinued the iPod shuffle family by removing it from the company website and online store. At that time, the iPod shuffle had been on the market for twelve and a half years. Apple also discontinued the iPod nano on the same day, leaving the iPod touch as the only remaining device in the iPod lineup.
[ 101 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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24 weeks ago
The last gen was the best gen. Wish they still made them. They're still useful.
24 weeks ago
How long before we get an iPhone Shuffle?
We already have it. It’s called the Apple Watch
24 weeks ago
Somehow, I've managed to accumulate the first three generations of Shuffle over the years. This is how I've thought of them:
* First gen – Most iconic and could plug directly into your computer.
* Second gen – Best form factor (area to left of navigation for your finger to open clip).
* Third gen – Confusing as hell, but at least it had song information, I guess?
* Fourth gen – Smallest design, buttons integrated again, plus song info. Bonza.
I always wished they made some combination of the first and fourth generations with an internal speaker too. The idea of being able to play music directly from an SD-card-sized device that needs no cables to plug into your computer still seems cool.
Low-res mockup of advertisement of said iPod that I made in 2009:
* First gen – Most iconic and could plug directly into your computer.
* Second gen – Best form factor (area to left of navigation for your finger to open clip).
* Third gen – Confusing as hell, but at least it had song information, I guess?
* Fourth gen – Smallest design, buttons integrated again, plus song info. Bonza.
I always wished they made some combination of the first and fourth generations with an internal speaker too. The idea of being able to play music directly from an SD-card-sized device that needs no cables to plug into your computer still seems cool.
Low-res mockup of advertisement of said iPod that I made in 2009:
24 weeks ago
Since nobody wanted to buy them anymore after 12 years on the market, does this mean it was just a fad?
Or have smartphones and smaller smart watches replaced it (with streaming subscription music)?
The smarthphone just killed the market. For the majority of people having one device that could do the job made them redundant. This happened before streaming services even took off.
24 weeks ago
I still have mine, too! It sports a Wrigley's style decal for an even closer resemblance to a pack of gum. Remember those?
24 weeks ago
The last affordable Apple product for everyone lol. Now it's all overpriced iPhones and iPads.
24 weeks ago
Spring 2005, Apple Retail employees weren't given iPod Shuffles for free but each store had a set of them that employees would wear while on the sales floor. Lasted about a year:
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