Apples $79 Talking iPod Shuffle Is the Latest Evolution in Music Players

by Nathan Eddy

The new iPod Shuffle, compared in size with a house key on Apples Web site, is just 1.8 inches tall and just 0.3 inches thick and retails for $79.

The Shuffle holds a 4GB flash drive with room for up to 1,000 songs in 128K-bps AAC format, and its built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery offers up to 10 hours of playback time.

Using the Shuffle’s VoiceOver program, users can hear the titles, artists and names of playlists spoken in 14 languages.

Apple is also touting the Shuffles “green” features, like PVC-free and brominated flame-retardant free construction and smaller, more compact packaging.

Located on the top of the device, the shuffle switch has three positions: off, a “non-shuffle” setting and a “whatever happens, happens” setting. Its also known as “shuffle.”

The iPod Shuffle clip is now forged in stainless steel, and the casing is manufactured using anodized aluminum—available in silver or black.