Recently, you may have heard... Apple revised it's iPod line with some very nice improvements... the iPod touch, with WiFi, multi-touch screen interface, and i-Phone good looks... the new video-capable "nanos" (which causes an involuntary salivation action for my oldest son) and more hard drive space for the "classic" iPod.
And for the low-cost shuffle? New colors. That's it. WHAT? No new gizmos, power, or gee-whiz functionality? I recently purchased a refurbished suffle (for $50!) in my favorite non-color (silver) to listen while I do yard work, ride my bike, etc. With the latest announcement, I noted a conspicuous absence of the sting I usually associate with accelerated obsolescence and price-dropping of my purchases... but I doubt the poor shmucks who purchased a $600+ iPhone can say the same.
Kudos, Apple... you've managed to cater to and profit from both those who live to be on the technological bleeding edge and others who recognize the cruel mistress of technology can only leave us destitute and heartbroken.
Realistically, though... what could they have done to the shuffle, I mean really... Made it smaller? (you'd lose it, and you couldn't press the buttons!) Made the battery last longer? (It's already 12 hours of lithium-polymer listening pleasure.) Put more features in the user interface (It doesn't really have one.) Maybe added more memory? (Do you need to listen to... or keep track of... more than 250 of your favorite songs at a time?) Perhaps more durable? (It's a friggin' metal binder clip!) I don't think so. It's remarkably close to a perfect portable music player. As a computer engineer, I marvel at this accomplishment. The headphone jack triples as a recharger and USB data interface, for goodness sakes!
It's a lot easier to perfect something that's simple to begin with and does one thing very well. It may be less novel, interesting, or attractive... but DANG... the shuffle is a really good at serving up musical pleasure on the go.
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