Apple launches 1GB iPod nano

I suppose this is the official death of the ill-fated iPod shuffle. I'd guess they're just going to sell out the remaining inventory of those.

I shouldnt think so, I can see the 1gig shuffle being dropped, but no reason to drop the 512mb yet.

This is really great pricing for both the 1GB Shuffle or 1GB Nano. A 1GB usb drive is $60+

The shuffle isn't the best mp3 player ever, but it is great for either working out, or to plug into the back of an Xbox 360 to store your favorite songs on.

I don't know with the price drop they may be aimed at taking over the entire flash based market including the cheapest end.

"I don't know with the price drop they may be aimed at taking over the entire flash based market including the cheapest end."
Im sure they like to (they are a company like any other after all, out to make money) but youd still have people whinging about the lack of a screen .. oh and FM receiver, voice recorder, teas-maid and cuddly toy.

This is definitely for the low end of the market. For maybe $50 dollars more than another 1GB player, you can get a nice screen with a nice interface. Maybe the idea is to also then get you used to that interface so you will think about buying one of the bigger iPods down the road...

Another way for Apple to make some extra cash. Still I think the price should be lowered since whose library is under 1GB these days?

Now there are no price gaps in the iPod product line. The price is incremented about $50 for each step to a better iPod. I think that this could encourage users to get the more expensive iPods because the next model up is "only" ~$50 more.

iPod Prices: $69 $99 $149 $199 $249 $299 $399

You'd think they wouldn't need to find new ways to sell MORE iPods (Apple has sold 42 million iPods --- 76% of them in 2005).

So, I agree with some of the comments above - Apple is making its way into the lower-priced flash-based mp3 player market with the shuffle's price drop. I don't think they'll phase it out until they come out with a replacement that's the size of a thumbtack.

I'm not so sure about the Shuffle being discontinued anytime soon. Despite the release of the 1GB nano, I think their is still a very strong demand for flash based 'USB memory stick' style devices. If anything this is Apple's way of tempting those who want the satisfaction of owning an Apple product without a high price tag attached. And theirs also the opportunity for those who use that device to gain even more revenue through it's iTunes Music Store. Whereas without that, they'd lose profits on the unit itself as well as iTunes download profits.

Just my thoughts at least...

and only £109!
Nevertheless, I'd rather buy a slightly bigger, uglier full-size iPod 30 in white.

I believe Shuffles are currently the most popular model because of the price and simplicity.

And with this price drop in mind on the lower-end Nano's, I think they're aiming towards getting people to upgrade the Nano 1GB to something bigger.

Coincidentally, I just bought an iPod Shuffle 1GB this week, off ebay, for £64 which is fantastic value. The reasons I picked up the small model are purely because it's the model brand for when I do running/excercise. Sure, I do have a larger library of music, but I'd feel scared of breaking the unit if I were running with something like a Nano or standard model.

Hm. That's not a bad price... but so few songs :/

I wish they had these back when I couldn't afford an iPod. $149 is a smoking deal.

Makes the Nano even more appealing, especially to a happy mini owner like myself who'd like the colour screen and pictures - the only fly in the ointment - $149 ought to equal £85, not £109. Are there really 28% worth of taxes involved in selling in the UK or is Apple guilty of a little profiteering?

@standsolid: I'm never going to run for more than 12 hours at a time, so I won't run out of tracks for a long, long time. ;)

I do have a collection of about 4,500 tracks but I have no wish to keep them all on me when excercising - not all the tracks are suitable anyway!

Lamancha, US prices dont include tax, UK does.

Thanks Matthew - makes me feel slightly better about the inevitable purchase.... wonder what the price in Hong Kong is....

it's so you feel "oh just 50$ more for a gig shuffle" "oh just $50 more for a nano!" "oh but i need more storage $50 for DOUBLE!" "omg it's so cheap just $50 more for double storage!" "omg upgrade to video and 30 gigs for just $50 more!"

To be fair, i get stuck with everything being more expensive in the UK - the extra compared to American prices, is largely due to the VAT added on, and the extra 'shipping costs' manufacturers say are required to get the goods to the UK - though I don't know how that works with music downloads - 79p for a song which is about $1.40. Even the new nano which is hitting the US at $149 (about £85) is cheaper compared to the UK price of £109 - and some retail shops will try and charge even more than that!

The shuffle (both 512MB and 1GB) are *NOT* going to be discontinued, only discounted. http://ap-2570.newsvine.com/_news/1969/12/31/87880-apple-expands-ipod-line-cuts-some-prices