Note the proprietary headphones. Screw this.

Worst idea ever? Probably not, but it's close. I prefer my Sansa Clip, cheaper, hold more music, 4 line PLED 2 color screen, FM radio.

Now if the control had a plug so you could attach your own headphones, I might be interested, but if the headphones are proprietary, forget it.

FRED

Hmm, looks cool to.. but thanks, I'll get one when the price becomes cheaper..

Wrong on two accounts: #1 Headphones are not proprietary, several companies make compatible ones - these are the same ones that you can use with the new iPod Touch and Nano. #2 It has ALWAYS been $79 for the high-end. There was NOT a price jump. Do they home work!

Interesting...

But I would have to agree, proprietary headphones due to controls is bogus.

However, it is very possible, and probably likely, that Apple will release the specifications for the control signals, or said signals are standardized, so that an intermediate-cord that allows 3rd-party headphones to be plugged in-line.

Also, it might be cool if someone came out with a dock-connector adapter, or other "line-out+data/control" adapter, so that this little faceless music storage can be plugged into car stereos, or other iPod-dockable devices, to allow control, and even possibly display of the information on this little thing.

@Yojmbo: Thanks for commenting! We may have different definitions of "proprietary," but my point was simply that if you already have a pair of head/earphones that you like (say, a sport pair, or a pair of noise-canceling phones), then you can't use them with this Shuffle, something I consider a gigantic design flaw.

On the price of the previous 2GB Shuffle, you're wrong, according to this Apple press release: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/02/19shuffle.html

@ PeterPachal:

You were much nicer to Yojmbo (Yojimbo?) that I would have been. I hate it when Apple employees astroturf! Grrrr!!!!

If you're a weirdo who wants controls and a screen, go ahead and get a Sansa. I hear the next version of the Shuffle isn't even going to have a headphone jack, or any way to play music. THAT is the future.

Can't use this in a car. Can't use this with a decent set of headphones. I'm mystified as to why they gave this the green light.

This thing will fail so dismally that it's destined to become an instant collector's item.

Yo, Jimbo!

You need to learn how to spell when you 'turf, dude!

Schmuck!

Cue the barely-literate hordes at the first possible hint of Apple blood, led as ever by pseudo-journalistic effusions of "my point of view" and "I consider this .... gigantic flaw".

The only thing to be learned from history is that mankind learns nothing from history

I'm an apple fanboy, and I have to say that this is the worst idea ever. If can't use my own cans with it, it's not going to be mine, no matter how small it happens to be. Come on apple, real innovation; try an epaper screen, or a touch sensitive strip, or something!

Come on, guys. It's the shuffle. How many people use a shuffle for their primary player? Not a lot. I agree that I'd like to be able to use it in the car or with other headphones, except that I don't use the CURRENT shuffle I have in the car or with other headphones. That's what my iPod and iPhone are for.

That being said, every time Apple changes their products to add features that only exist in their headphones, 3rd parties create their own in a month or two.

Also, it's not really a price hike if the old 2GB and the new 2GB are the same price. They've just dropped the 1GB and added a 4GB. Not their orthodox method of pricing on their new products, but people are going to pay regardless.

As for the text-to-speech, I haven't heard the Kindle up close, but the VoiceOver on the shuffle (at least if you have a Mac) sounds just like VoiceOver on the Mac (i.e. incredible). If you have a PC, you're stuck with Microsoft's implementation of text-to-speech.

Also, not an Apple employee, so don't start flaming me because I dissent. Apple employees are not allowed to post on public forums, btw.

WTF? I agree that this is in the running for the worst iPod idea ever. I love my current shuffle when I'm working out at the gym 'cause I can use my Shure sound isolating earphones with it. I would never buy a product that forces me to use Apple's earphones. I like them but I need my sound isolating Shures. Does anyone really need a shuffle that's smaller than the current model? Sorry Apple, fail...try again.

I got notice by e-mail yesterday and was really excited about a new shuffle--until I got to the part about the headphone controls. Does Apple not realize that their headphones are possibly the worst on the market?
Any way, just in case something happens to my current shuffle, I ordered a new 1 gig 'usewhateverheadphonesyouwant' shuffle this morning. I doubt I was the only person to do so.

You gotta wonder though... is the shuffle moving toward a model where the storage/control unit itself is integrated with the headphones. The iPod portion itself is so small, it could conceivably be combined with the control unit on the headphones. That being said, Apple would have a lot of work to do to improve the quality and durability of its headphones.

Just thinking outloud...

Jeez, People. Do 5 seconds of research before spouting off: 1. Third party headphones with controls are already being announced (Klipsch, etc.). 2. Apple will be selling an adapter dongle with the controls so that you can use your favorite headphones with the shuffle. Whether the shuffle is still a good value after you buy upgraded headphones or the dongle is another story...but at least get your facts straight. We now return you to your previously scheduled Apple-bashing program...

As far as the price goes, consider that you are getting twice the storage capacity for a mere $10 more. Doesn't sound too bad to me.

A "design flaw?" What, did they accidentally deisgn it so that the controls are on the headphones? Does that cause it to overheat and catch fire?

Headline seems a bit sensationalist. "Poor design decision" seems more accurate than "design flaw."

The real design flaw is still iTunes...

Don't like it, don't buy it. I love my 2nd Gen Touch and "old" 30g ipod and have no desire or need for a small screenless ipod. Those who do, usually have another ipod for the car etc.

I can see a near future where ipods will be sub-dermal and will include gps and wireless mini-speakers that fit in your ear in some self-molding wax.

If this one doesn't sell, Apple will change it. Unlike Micro$oft who would stick to their design *way* past the point where it is obvious people are staying away in droves.

"I'm 4 1/2 and I'm a PC" indeed!

Looks like apple is getting closer to the Ipod Flea every day.....