As widely expected, Apple Computer on Tuesday introduced a new version of its popular music player. Dubbed the iPod Shuffle, it comes in two sizes, priced at just $99 and $149, and capable of holding about 120 and 240 songs, respectively.
Based on flash memory, rather than the more expensive computer-like hard drives that have been the centerpiece of all other iPods, the new player is aimed at a low-end segment of the market, which has been untapped largely for Apple to date. The smaller iPod Shuffe has 512MB of storage, the other offers 1GB.
Unlike most similar devices, the Shuffle has no display screen to show songs or playlists; it consists only of a slender white rectangle with the trademark iPod navigation wheel on one side. The company is instead highlighting the random-play aspect of the device, although this is a common feature on virtually all MP3 players.
“iPod Shuffle is smaller and lighter than a pack of gum and costs less than $100,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. “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.”
Although widely expected following a series of leaks, Apple’s move into the flash market does mark a departure from the company’s previous high-end strategy. Jobs has previously dismissed small-capacity, relatively inexpensive MP3 players as products given as gifts and rarely used.
Read the Complete Story @ Cnet News
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