Apple seems to be making raves around the tech video blog these days because they have just released their new version of the iPod Shuffle with a refreshing new design and one unexpected feature. Loaded with Natalie del Conti has scooped-out Cali Lewis of Geekbrief.tv with this release (though I’m sure they’ve got a quite different following anyway), but knowing Cali she’d bounce back with a fun take and a close-eye on the new iPod Shuffle. I wouldn’t be surprised if she would clip it to her nose as a gleeful gesture. She’s a Mac. :)

Well, ok… it’s still a clip-on (and I wouldn’t have it any other way) yet this time it seems to follow the shape a small clothes pin. I can tell you the iPod Shuffle has not seen any product revision and yes, it is really due for a re-design. Great for Apple because if they waited a little more, this product line may have seen the end of its life.

It comes in two colors only, as a debut, silver and black. It’s literally “faceless” except for the Apple logo because the usual controls were moved from the iPod itself to its wires. Hmmm… not too sure about this Apple, it may have been better off placed in the iPod Shuffle itself. Question now for everyone is… “so does this mean I always need to buy a replacement earphone set from Apple?”

Well, what’s really interesting is this new “Voice Over” feature. Somehow, Apple has squeezed a “voice” inside the new iPod Shuffle that can audibly tell you what the song’s title is and the artist name.

“Musically speaking, the new iPod shuffle is brilliant, thanks to an exciting new feature called VoiceOver. Say you?re listening to a song and want to know the title or the artist. With the press of a button, VoiceOver tells you as the music dips down. It even announces the names of your playlists. And when your battery needs charging, VoiceOver tells you that, too.”

It begins selling at Apple.com right now, at the moment they are accepting reservations. Unit price… about US$79.

Check out the features below:

- Smallest iPod shuffle ever
- 4GB of storage (up to 1,000 songs)
- Easy access controls
- VoiceOver – tells you song titles, artists, and playlist titles through your headphones
- Durable, anodised aluminium case with stainless steel clip

Related posts:

Now the iPod shuffle talks back, but why?
ShuffleRemote: iPod Shuffle and Apple Remote combined
iPod Shuffle and Sandisk MP3 compared
Is the Sandisk Sansa Clip an iPod Shuffle Killer?
iPod Shuffle Installation Tips

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