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The iPod Shuffle is the perfect form factor for my specific use case: I plug a second generation model into the gym's sound system (I work out at 3 am, I'm the

The iPod Shuffle is the perfect form factor for my specific use case: I plug a second generation model into the gym's sound system (I work out at 3 am, I'm the only one there at the time), leaving my phone to run the fitness app and heart rate monitor. It recharges as fast as my bike blinkies when I get back, and because I listen to the exact same workout playlist every time, I don't have to fidget with the tracks on it. There are still scads of these units on eBay after a quick check, so I'll probably scoop up a couple, because the Apple UI to load the simple playlist is what I use for all my other music devices, so switching to a different UI would just be more overhead for me at this point. With some re-branding, these could be re-positioned as children's first music devices. They can be priced cheap enough to give to really young children without stressing over losing them, say $30 USD. It would still suck, but not in the same way as if a child lost an iPhone 7. And it gets children into Apple's ecosystem early, and the children can even use the UI themselves because the constrained environment makes drastically simplifying the UI possible. I think Apple is giving up an opportunity here to create an advertising platform for their ecosystem that is paid by their own customers.

dmix 9y ago
If you're not carrying it while you run how is the tiny iPod Shuffle perfect form factor? You're just "plugging it into the sound system"? I personally leave my big Nexus 6P on the ground on top of my towel next to machines while I work out, connecting to headphones via bluetooth with a $40 headphone amp that clips onto to my shirt or shorts: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Headphone-Amplifier-Integrated-Smartphones/dp/B00J2JATL0 https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Headphone-Amplifier-Integrat... Works well for me and the sound is great (despite the fact it's made by Creative and not overpriced autophile-ware). Now that Bluetooth headphones are a thing I don't see the utility in the shuffle anymore. I bet Apple views bluetooth headphones as the portable iPod killer more than anything...
- yourapostasy 9y ago
  When I go early enough, there is no one there. They let me plug my iPod Shuffle into the sound system via the headphone jack, and enjoy the experience of working out with my playlist going out over the speakers. It's not the same as when I have headphones on; not better, just different, and I like the change. When I work out with other gym customers present, I use my headphones. I agree that with Bluetooth headphones going in the $20-30 range, the use of headphone jack-based devices will go down over time. But there are a lot of those jacks out there in the world, so it will take a long time.
yourapostasy 9y ago
Can't edit, but apparently Steve Jobs explicitly positioned the iPod Shuffle the way I described above [1]. Unless Apple has a similar single-function, low-cost, easy-to-manage device to take the Shuffle's spot in the lineup, that can be positioned towards young (age 4+, say), they're discontinuing the Shuffle and leaving a gap in their product ecosystem story, at a time when Chrome is making huge inroads to their traditional education-institution-based markets that reach children. Losing the cognitive and top-of-mind attention of children weakens their grip when they grow older and make/influence purchasing decisions of more expensive devices like smartphones today, who knows what device in the future. [1] https://www.wired.com/story/requiem-for-the-ipod-shuffle/ https://www.wired.com/story/requiem-for-the-ipod-shuffle/

dmix 9y ago

If you're not carrying it while you run how is the tiny iPod Shuffle perfect form factor? You're just "plugging it into the sound system"? I personally leave my big Nexus 6P on the ground on top of my towel next to machines while I work out, connecting to headphones via bluetooth with a $40 headphone amp that clips onto to my shirt or shorts: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Headphone-Amplifier-Integrated-Smartphones/dp/B00J2JATL0 https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Headphone-Amplifier-Integrat... Works well for me and the sound is great (despite the fact it's made by Creative and not overpriced autophile-ware). Now that Bluetooth headphones are a thing I don't see the utility in the shuffle anymore. I bet Apple views bluetooth headphones as the portable iPod killer more than anything...

yourapostasy 9y ago
When I go early enough, there is no one there. They let me plug my iPod Shuffle into the sound system via the headphone jack, and enjoy the experience of working out with my playlist going out over the speakers. It's not the same as when I have headphones on; not better, just different, and I like the change. When I work out with other gym customers present, I use my headphones. I agree that with Bluetooth headphones going in the $20-30 range, the use of headphone jack-based devices will go down over time. But there are a lot of those jacks out there in the world, so it will take a long time.

yourapostasy 9y ago

Can't edit, but apparently Steve Jobs explicitly positioned the iPod Shuffle the way I described above [1]. Unless Apple has a similar single-function, low-cost, easy-to-manage device to take the Shuffle's spot in the lineup, that can be positioned towards young (age 4+, say), they're discontinuing the Shuffle and leaving a gap in their product ecosystem story, at a time when Chrome is making huge inroads to their traditional education-institution-based markets that reach children. Losing the cognitive and top-of-mind attention of children weakens their grip when they grow older and make/influence purchasing decisions of more expensive devices like smartphones today, who knows what device in the future. [1] https://www.wired.com/story/requiem-for-the-ipod-shuffle/ https://www.wired.com/story/requiem-for-the-ipod-shuffle/