Is the new Shuffle about value or design? the answer is yes

Michael Gartenberg | November 02, 2006, 09:45 AM

I’ve been getting a lot of calls about the new 2G Shuffle and the impact on the iPod world. One question I keep getting is whether it’s a value play, since it’s only $79 and the cheapest iPod on the market. Or is it a design and aesthetics play, since the device is so tiny. The answer, of course, is that it’s both. I’ve been using one here for a bit and it’s been amazing watching people’s reaction to it when they see it. Everyone who has seen it, wants one. The fact that it’s $79 just makes it that much more appealing. The first generation of Shuffle was a brilliant move to showcase the shuffle feature and allow Apple to build a low cost, high capacity flash device (for its time). This version of the Shuffle is still a value play but also comes with a unique design and form factor. I suspect that we will see quite a few iPod owners adding a Shuffle just because of the new design. Expect to see it quickly become a hot fashion accessory in short order.