iPod shuffle shortages caused by supplier changes, Apple has no plans to ax its cheapest media playe
Though recent shortages of the iPod shuffle caused concern that Apple might discontinue its clip-on media player, a new report reveals that the issues are only temporary, as a result of a supplier change.
Citing people with knowledge of the situation, Billboard reported on Friday that the iPod shuffle shortage is expected to continue for an unspecified period of time. The issues are said to be as a result of component supplier changes that have temporarily interrupted production.
Apple apparently has no plans at the moment to nix its entry-level media player, which lacks a display and has a unique clip-on design that makes it idea for using at the gym or on the go. The iPod shuffle comes with 2 gigabytes of storage and sells for $49.
Concern for the iPod shuffle's lifespan came after the iPod classic was quietly discontinued last fall. The iPod classic and its iconic click wheel design lasted for 13 years.
The iPod shuffle, meanwhile, has seen a number of design changes since the first model was introduced at the Macworld Expo in January 2005. The current, fourth-generation clip-on design has been unchanged since its debut in September of 2010.
The remaining iPod lineup includes the iOS-powered iPod touch, and the diminutive touchscreen iPod nano. iPod sales have continued to dwindle since the debut of the first iPhone in 2007, as users have gravitated toward carrying music on their smartphone.
Citing people with knowledge of the situation, Billboard reported on Friday that the iPod shuffle shortage is expected to continue for an unspecified period of time. The issues are said to be as a result of component supplier changes that have temporarily interrupted production.
Apple apparently has no plans at the moment to nix its entry-level media player, which lacks a display and has a unique clip-on design that makes it idea for using at the gym or on the go. The iPod shuffle comes with 2 gigabytes of storage and sells for $49.
Concern for the iPod shuffle's lifespan came after the iPod classic was quietly discontinued last fall. The iPod classic and its iconic click wheel design lasted for 13 years.
The iPod shuffle, meanwhile, has seen a number of design changes since the first model was introduced at the Macworld Expo in January 2005. The current, fourth-generation clip-on design has been unchanged since its debut in September of 2010.
The remaining iPod lineup includes the iOS-powered iPod touch, and the diminutive touchscreen iPod nano. iPod sales have continued to dwindle since the debut of the first iPhone in 2007, as users have gravitated toward carrying music on their smartphone.
Comments
I wonder if the next iteration (should there even be one) will use Lightning and forgo the headphone jack. Sure, it’ll come with a microscopic Lighting-3.5mm dongle, but smaller smaller smaller!
I use my 2nd gen as a tie clip.
I wonder if the next iteration (should there even be one) will use Lightning and forgo the headphone jack. Sure, it’ll come with a microscopic Lighting-3.5mm dongle, but smaller smaller smaller!
I wouldn't expect it to use lightning. The two main issues would be backward compatibility and power usage. There hasn't been any talk yet about a dongle to use old school headphones. And we don't know how much power Lightning will use which could have an affect on the battery life.
I wonder if the next iteration (should there even be one) will use Lightning and forgo the headphone jack. Sure, it’ll come with a microscopic Lighting-3.5mm dongle, but smaller smaller smaller!
I use my 2nd gen as a tie clip.
A headphone jack is probably cheaper than Lightning.
There's really no reason to do anything to the Shuffle (or Nano) at this point, except for capacity bumps. They serve a market for now.
I use an older Nano exclusively in my car. I've lost track of the gens, but it is the squarish one. Stays hidden in the glove box, always connected to the factory radio. I bring it in every few months to update the music and that's it. Much more convenient than constantly plugging and unplugging my phone and doesn't kill the battery like BT streaming.
That was one of the best Apple devices ever made IMHO. I still use mine for the gym. It's perfect size w a clasp. And doubles as a watch. The perfect wearable. Too bad the iWatch isn't transformer-like this device is then I might like it. The thought of wearing a device on my wrist exclusively skeeves me.
I use my 2nd gen as a tie clip.
The ladies must positively swoon...
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“Hey, babe, wanna shuffle? Oh, come on! It’s orange!”
They probably moved to a smaller factory.
They probably moved to a smaller factory.
Five guys in a house somewhere, probably all that's needed to meet demand.
I can not only see that happening, but eventually the 3.5mm port going away. Since ?Watch can play music via BT I wouldn't be surprised if we see some new BT headphones appear early this year.
I don't see the 3.5mm port ever going away on any devices (Nintendo tried it before on their GBA-SP), anything portable must have it, so any headphones can be used with it. Bluetooth is too much of a hassle to charge and pair, when you can just plug in any headphones and not have to pair it every time you want to use it with a new device. Then there are also battery life concerns by leaving radios on.
I don't know about everyone else, but Bluetooth earbuds/headphones seem like the worst solution ever in search of a problem. Ignoring the latency and sound compression issues for a second, the only thing worse are 3D televisions that require proprietary 3D glasses.
See this is the very problem. Apple can't remove the 3.5mm jack, because then the device won't work the truckloads of audio equipment people already own dating back to the 70's. With the right adapter you can use headphones from the 1970's that had 1/8" jacks just as easily as modern versions. The Lightning port is for solving a different problem, mainly in keeping a latency-free noise-free digital connection. The 3.5mm jack lets you use any car with a stereo line-in jack.
I had to demonstrate to various relatives that "you can just plug your phone or mp3 player into the car" instead of having to buy one of those FM transmitters, or burn a CD every time they want to listen to something new. Finally my Dad just bought a car stereo that he can plug a low-profile usb stick into. That's even better than trying to deal with an iPod/iPhone/iPad, because now the hands-free radio controls can be used in the car instead of "distracted driving" fiddling with the device.
iPod sales have continued to dwindle since the debut of the first iPhone in 2007, as users have gravitated toward carrying music on their smartphone.
That is a bit harsh. I'd get a new iPod Touch if Apple finally updates its processor and camera. Right now it is a joke. For a 50$ premium you get an iPad mini with a more recent processor.
If you want to make a fair comparison, then you should compare the [ iPod Touch + iPod mini + iPad mini + iPad 2 mini + iPad 3 mini ] to the iPhone. Right now you are comparing the iPod Touch to the [ iPhone 5C + iPhone 5S + iPhone 6 + iPhone 6 plus ], which is a bit unfair.
Moreover, I believe Continuity is going to give the iPod a new lease of life.
Only a fool would work out in a gym listening to an iPhone - besides calls are banned in most gym anyways.
And good luck running track with an iPhone.
Exhibit A: ?Watch
"Shuffle? Shove it, shorty!" ????
Add Thunderbolt to that.
Strictly speaking, it hasn't gone away because it's never been there.
I thought you'd like that reply.