iPod shuffle price cut, now $49

Well, what do you know. What was $79 just a few minutes ago is now just $49. Making room for something new are we Apple? Still no change to iPod touch and iPhone pricing but we'll keep an eye out.

Update: Apple store offline. Picture of all the discounted shuffles after the break.

Update 2: Store back online with new 2GB shuffle for just $69 -- available later this month.

[Thanks, Mog]

[fanman @ Feb 19th 2008 5:51AM]

That's £25, plus apple's £10 UK tax. Not to bad, I suppose.

[Alan Partridge @ Feb 19th 2008 7:18AM]

Shuffle's are still £49 (~$100) on the UK site

[Cal @ Feb 19th 2008 7:40AM]

Still more than double the price of a superior Creative Zen Stone 1GB.

[Daniel @ Feb 19th 2008 5:53AM]

making room for what, a 2GB shuffle at $79?

[Danny @ Feb 19th 2008 5:54AM]

Meh, still £49 on the UK store.

[Homeboy @ Feb 19th 2008 6:10AM]

Should be dropping to £38 in matter of days.

[rob @ Feb 19th 2008 6:43AM]

Still at €79.- the Apple TV also never dropped from its €299/399.- price

[pundit @ Feb 19th 2008 5:57AM]

The main store page still shows the old price. If you click on it, it magically goes down in price!

[Mog @ Feb 19th 2008 5:58AM]

Whoo! I'm internet-famous!

My professional opinion is that Apple isn't going to introduce a new iPod shuffle - the shuffle was just horribly overpriced. $49 is more reasonable (well, for Apple), and it's a welcome price drop, even if we should have seen it last fall.

[Homeboy @ Feb 19th 2008 6:16AM]

Yeah, compared with the Zen Stone plus and other small flash based DAPs the Shuffle was ridiculously priced. A prime example of how Apple overcharges for their products. But more important how they can manage to get consumers who are willing to over pay for something with an Apple logo on the back.

[Homeboy @ Feb 19th 2008 6:22AM]

Yeah, compared with the Zen Stone plus and other small flash based DAPs the Shuffle was ridiculously priced. A prime example of how Apple overcharges for their products. But more important how they can manage to get consumers who are willing to over pay for something with an Apple logo on the back.

[N30 G30 @ Feb 19th 2008 6:31AM]

it's not Apple's (or any other companies') fault that no matter how high the price is for a product, people buy it. I blame ignorant consumers.

I know someone that just bought a shuffle three days ago. I wonder if he could return it.

[max andrews @ Feb 19th 2008 6:57AM]

@ N30 G30,
apple has a 14-day price drop policy. If your friend brings their receipt into an apple store they will be refunded the $30.

[Miker @ Feb 19th 2008 7:03AM]

Yeah, I can get a 1GB Zen Stone for $14 less, a 2GB Zen Stone for $0.99 more...presumably they're preparing to release a new Shuffle all hyped up to the heavens to accompany the price, and we're supposed to worship at their feet for taking so long about it...gosh I'm cynical...must cut down on caffeine.

[N30 G30 @ Feb 19th 2008 2:49PM]

max andrews,
Thanks! Dopeness, I'll tell my friend he's not the unluckiest person in the planet anymore. +1 for you.

[James L @ Feb 19th 2008 5:58AM]

Still wouldnt get one if it was $10 to be honest

[DarkLightConnection @ Feb 19th 2008 6:36AM]

I'm with you man....

Over here, if you know where to search, you can get (new) 1GB RCA Lyras for $14, and they even got screens and SD card slot.. nothing to envy to the ipod shuffle, really... this is just the ipod being what it have (almost) always been: overadvertised/overvalued crap... there are better players for better prices out there

[Sam Winter @ Feb 19th 2008 7:05AM]

Actually, this player is great. I've had one for a year. Perfect size, perfect little clip, and since I have a bunch of iTunes music, it's the player for me.
But go on ahead and buy some other knockoff shit with a SD slot, an FM tuner, flashlight, waffle maker, etc...

[James L @ Feb 19th 2008 7:26AM]

Gladly ;)

[Riley @ Feb 19th 2008 8:16AM]

i agree with you, except on the lyra bit, i have one and it's complete shit
although i guess it's better than a shuffle
but i would go with Creative or sandisk

[pundit @ Feb 19th 2008 5:58AM]

The Canada store, however, does reflect the new CAD55 price on the main page.

[Shmapple @ Feb 19th 2008 6:52AM]

I don't know anyone "cool" with a Zen, but I know a lot of pompous assclowns with the shuffle.

[Varuna @ Feb 19th 2008 6:02AM]

Yeah... Making Room !

yeah Right !

Creative's kicking them in Price and Feature rang with the Zen Stone and the Zen Stone Plus !

That's whats happening !

[Tom Oliveri @ Feb 19th 2008 6:00AM]

really?

do you know anyone with a zen?

let me rephrase, do you know anyone cool with a zen?

[Rob @ Feb 19th 2008 6:08AM]

I do, and he loves it. I think it's horrible, however.

[James L @ Feb 19th 2008 6:08AM]

Yes, I own a ZVM as does my one of my best friends
Everyone else in my family owns either a Zen V plus or Zen stone
Another friend of mine recently purchased the new Zen

I personally know no-one who owns an iPod shuffle (granted I have seen people with them)

So um, yeah, I know plenty of cool people who own Zens

Oh wait, let me rephrase that, I know plenty of smart cool people who own Zens

[Abuzar @ Feb 19th 2008 6:09AM]

iPods don't make people cool. Whenever I see someone with an iPod, the word retard goes through my mind.

Zune FTW! lol

[N30 G30 @ Feb 19th 2008 6:35AM]

"let me rephrase, do you know anyone cool with a zen?"

When I see someone with a shuffle as their main mp3 player, I assume they want to join the "I have an iPod club" but can't really afford a nano or any other iPod.

The word "tool" comes to mind.

[Richard Williams @ Feb 19th 2008 7:01AM]

Funny that, when I see someone with a shuffle I think there's someone who wants something small and practical to carry round because they don't want to carry around their main ipod around. Mind you what do I know I do think that people who say "ipod/zune FTW" are neither smart nor cool!

[Sam Winter @ Feb 19th 2008 7:12AM]

" When I see someone with a shuffle as their main mp3 player, I assume they want to join the "I have an iPod club" but can't really afford a nano or any other iPod. The word "tool" comes to mind."


When I see a bunch of circle-jerking geeks on a gadget site bashing Apple, I assume they want to join the "I'm cool cause I hate Apple and everyone else is a sheep" club. The phrase "Zune tattoo" comes to mind.

[Orenthol James Simpson @ Feb 19th 2008 7:33AM]

Why would anyone buy anything like this? a 2GB Zen is $79.. and that's a normal Zen.. the kind that play video with the awesome screen and such that accept SD cards.

[Kev Orng @ Feb 19th 2008 8:55AM]

Well, for the Shuffle-bashers, buy what you like, but I find that the Shuffle is perfect for the gym, mostly because it's so easy to operate without looking at it, and it's small enough not to drag down my clothes or make me wear an armband.

I know other brands fit the small-size need, and I'm sure other brands are easy to operate without looking at them, but for me, I mainly chose the shuffle because other brands have such limited or non-existent support for OSX. Mostly involve 3rd party software or some kind of hack. Mind you, that was a year ago. When I need to replace the shuffle, I'll look at all that again, and pick the most suitable product.

Till then, if you need to insult me because I chose the product that best fit my requirements, then, hey, rock on, I hope it makes you feel good about yourself.

[Abuzar @ Feb 19th 2008 2:44PM]

We are too cool!

[N30 G30 @ Feb 19th 2008 3:00PM]

I don't bash Apple but I don't like all their products. "Gosh! I must be an Apple hater!" I'm not a sheep, I can tell what I like and what I don't like from a company. iPod nano, iTouch, iPhone great. iPod shuffle... eh..

And for everyone else that got offended by my comment, I stated "When I see someone with a shuffle as their main mp3 player..." MAIN MP3 player, not secondary.

If you can't afford it, you shouldn't try to buy it. People have this obsession with having everything. Put the credit card down.

[nak @ Feb 19th 2008 6:03AM]

First, you UK people. Your prices include taxes. I did the math a few days ago at the release of the high-capacity iPhones and iPod touches. It's about 10% higher, and consistent across the product line.

I believe the price discrepency has to do with two things. First, Apple's ability to gouge the European market, and Second, the declining dollar. All told, I think I'd rather have the strength of the British pound.

But the $49 price is almost inline with reality. Not quite, but getting close.

[Richard Williams @ Feb 19th 2008 6:59AM]

Funny that, when I see someone with a shuffle I think there's someone who wants something small and practical to carry round because they don't want to carry around their main ipod around. Mind you what do I know I do think that people who say "ipod/zune FTW" are neither smart nor cool!

[Varuna @ Feb 19th 2008 6:05AM]

First of all,
What's your definition of cool ?

Second of all.. Yes I know More people who have Zen's than iPod's

It's got the world's 2nd most famous mp3 brand and you ask me If I know anyone who has a Zen !

Do you even know how the iPod's Interface was created ?

What is cool ?
Is spending lots of money and not thinking open minded un cool !
well then you are !

[Kizorblade @ Feb 19th 2008 9:19AM]

I could say that I know more people with iPods then Zens. But then again, we come from completely different places, so saying who has more is extremely pointless.

And what is "cool" is an opinion, and opinions are never fully right.

[sven @ Feb 19th 2008 6:06AM]

Still said $79 on the store home page under the shuffle picture last time i checked, but then 49 on the shuffle store page. My uncle owes me one, guess now he owes me two. (from back when they were 100)

[taoprophet420 @ Feb 19th 2008 6:07AM]

Its well overdo for a refresh, last year it just got new colors. I would guess a led screen on it and 2 to 4 g model will be coming out very soon. Would'nt even be surprise with a capacity move up on the nano.

[crescentdavid @ Feb 19th 2008 6:09AM]

Well, other than never being able to be as cool as Tom, I have to agree with James ... it's just a waste of money. I want to see my tunes, I want to be able to hear exactly what I want, when I want. That goes for ANY manufacturer making a similar product.

[Eckofish @ Feb 19th 2008 6:14AM]

So the Product (RED) iPod shuffle that I just received as a gift from my girlfriend on valentines day could be replaced by a new model? Its official. Apple just ruined my relationship.

[Thomas @ Feb 19th 2008 6:19AM]

Good to see that it still costs a lovely £49 in the UK ARGH STOP RIPPING US OFF APPLE!!!!!!!!

[kakapo @ Feb 19th 2008 6:36AM]

All the UK whingers... remember that it is not APPLE - it is the franchise holder for Apple in the UK. Just like here in Australia - the Shuffle is $99 AUD which is $90 USD - a wee bit more than $79 USD but Apple Asia has to get there hands in the pie! So, sometimes the price you see on an international Apple site is because of the mark-up by the franchise holder.

BTW, I like my shuffle and use it primarily to play a relaxation programme to help me sleep at night (insomnia here to the max - I use pzziz) and I clip it on my sleeve to my shirt and plug in the earphones and off I go to laa laa land. I don't use the shuffle part - straight shot but it helps me sleep. Would I use it any other way? nope - I have a nano and touch to do what every else I need.

Cheers...

[anervoustwitch @ Feb 19th 2008 12:26PM]

franchise holder? zuh?

[Jemster @ Feb 19th 2008 6:42AM]

Yes, taking tax into account the UK prices for SOME Apple products are getting more reasonable.

However... I see the Shuffle is STILL listed at £49 and no matter what exchange rate / tax you use to work that one out it sucks!

Not only that but the much lauded price drop for the Apple TV NEVER HAPPENED IN THE UK. It's still £199... so £199 vs. $229????? Someone needs to wake up at Apple cos this is plain wrong!

Franchise holder? Apple? You are kidding right? Apple have a large manufacturing base here, I seriously doubt there's a franchise operation going on with their own products in their own manufacturing territories.

[MRCUR @ Feb 19th 2008 6:47AM]

Now the store is down... Was it down this entire time? I didn't see anyone mention that.

[Nick @ Feb 19th 2008 6:49AM]

looks like the store is down again...

[Coolwave @ Feb 19th 2008 6:56AM]

This is a nice price drop. I actually just bought a Shuffle from the refurb store a couple months ago for the same price.

I don't think people realize what you get when you buy a Shuffle. It's the most simple mp3 player you can buy.

I can't imagine the Shuffle being my only player, but for taking to the gym, it's perfect! I dock it once a week (if that) to load up a new random selection of songs and to charge it. I don't need a screen when I work out. If I don't like the song, skip. Worth every penny.

Disclaimer: I'm a Mac user, so I actually like iTunes.

[Will @ Feb 19th 2008 7:29AM]

Uh... your gadget preferences have zero bearing on weather you are cool or not on the other hand posting angry messages on a tech blog...

There are a lot of better music players out there but if you are an iTunes user and you need something super small and light to use at the gym then the shuffle is a great choice.