View source for IPod Shuffle

{{short description|Digital audio player by Apple (2005–2017)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Information appliance
| title = iPod shuffle
| image = [[Image:IPodshufflelogo.png|alt=iPod shuffle]]<br />[[File:IPod Shuffle 4G.svg|200px]]
| caption = iPod Shuffle 4th generation in Silver
| type = Digital audio player
| manufacturer = [[Apple Inc.]]
| family = [[iPod]]
| connectivity = [[USB 2.0]] (1G Directly)
| lifespan = January 11, 2005 – July 27, 2017 ({{Age in years and months|month1=1|day1=11|year1=2005|month2=7|day2=27|year2=2017}})
| discontinued = July 27, 2017<ref name="9to5Mac" />
| operatingsystem = 1.1.5 (1G)<br />1.0.4 (2G)<br />1.1 (3G)<br />1.0.3 (4G)
| weight = {{convert|12.5|g}}
| media = [[Flash memory]]<br />512&nbsp;MB to 4&nbsp;GB
| input = Shuffle, Play In Order, Turn Off, 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
| power = [[Lithium-ion battery]]
| display = None
|successor = [[iPod Touch]]
| related = [[iPod Nano]]<br />[[iPod Mini]]<br />[[iPod Classic]]<br />[[iPod Touch]]
}}
{{iPod models}}

The '''iPod Shuffle''' (stylized and marketed as '''iPod shuffle''') is<!--Do NOT change to "was". This violates [[MOS:TENSE]], which specifies that all articles on products are written in present tense, even if discontinued.--> a discontinued digital audio player designed and formerly marketed by [[Apple Inc]]. It was the smallest model in Apple's [[iPod]] family, and was the first iPod to use [[flash memory]]. The first model was announced at the [[Macworld Conference & Expo]] on January 11, 2005; the fourth- and final-generation models were introduced on September 1, 2010.<ref name="shuffle4g">{{cite web|last=June|first=Laura|title=Apple announces redesigned iPod shuffle, brings the buttons back|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/apple-announces-redesigned-ipod-shuffle-brings-the-buttons-back/|access-date=September 1, 2010|website=Engadget}}</ref> The iPod Shuffle was discontinued by Apple on July 27, 2017.<ref name="9to5Mac">{{cite news|title=Apple removes iPod nano and shuffle from website hinting at discontinuation|url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/07/27/apple-removes-ipod-shuffle-nano-sale-discontinue/|access-date=27 July 2017|work=9to5Mac|date=27 July 2017}}</ref>

==Overview==
[[File:IPod shuffle familly.png|250px|thumb|The four generations of the iPod Shuffle]]

===1st generation===
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2018}}
Released on January 11, 2005, during the [[Macworld/iWorld|Macworld]] expo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2005/01/11Apple-Introduces-iPod-shuffle/|title=Apple Introduces iPod shuffle|date=11 January 2005|publisher=Press Release}}</ref> the first-generation iPod Shuffle weighed {{convert|0.78|oz}}, resembled a pack of chewing gum sticks,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rojas |first1=P |title=The iPod shuffle: Do not eat in the US or chew in the UK |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-01-12-the-ipod-shuffle-do-not-eat-in-the-us-or-chew-in-the-uk.html |website=Engadget |access-date=5 March 2022 |language=en |date=January 12, 2005 |quote=You know how Apple made that weak joke on the product page for iPod shuffle advising that you "Do not eat iPod shuffle"? [...] a reference to the fact that the new player is about the size of pack of gum.}}</ref> and was designed to be easily loaded with a selection of songs and to play them in sequential or random order.

It used the [[SigmaTel]] STMP35xx [[system on a chip]] (SOC) and its software development kit (SDK) v2.6, a flash memory IC, and USB rechargeable lithium cell. The STMP35xx SOC and its software was the most fully integrated portable MP3 playback at release time and SigmaTel was Austin's largest IPO (2003) capturing over 60% of flash based MP3 player world market share in 2004. In 2005, peak iPod first-generation Shuffle production occurred at a hundred thousand units per day, at the [[Asus]] factory.

It lacks a [[liquid crystal display|display]], [[click wheel]], [[playlist]] management features, and the games, address book, calendar, alarm, and notes capability of larger iPods. Due to the codec not being ported, it is incapable of playing [[Apple Lossless]] and [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]] audio files. The iPod Shuffle series also lacks a real-time clock; therefore, it does not update the "Last Played" value in [[iTunes]].<ref name="ipodshufflecompleteguide">{{cite web |last1=H |first1=Jerrod |title=The Complete Guide to the iPod shuffle |url=https://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/complete-guide-to-the-ipod-shuffle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050803235851/http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/complete-guide-to-the-ipod-shuffle/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2005 |website=iLounge |access-date=5 March 2022 |language=en |date=March 2, 2005 }}</ref>

The 1&nbsp;GB model was advertised as capable of holding up to 240 songs (based on Apple's estimate of four minutes per song and 128 [[kilobit per second|kbit/s]] [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] encoding).
To cater to the limited capacity and intended usage scenario, two new features were added to iTunes: AutoFill, which selects songs at random from a user's music library (or from a specific playlist) and copies as many as would fit into the iPod Shuffle's storage - available as a supplement or replacement to manual selection; and an option to automatically transcode audio files of higher specifications to 128&nbsp;kbit/s AAC-LC while transferring them (which would remain exclusive to the iPod Shuffle series until iTunes 9.1).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breen |first1=Cristopher |title=iTunes 9.1: What's changed |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/204574/inside_itunes91.html |website=Macworld |access-date=5 March 2022 |language=en |date=March 31, 2010}}</ref>
Furthermore, older versions of iTunes allowed an iPod Shuffle playlist to be viewed and changed while the unit is not connected; changes would be synchronized the next time the unit is connected.<ref name="ipodshufflecompleteguide" /> However, this functionality was removed in iTunes 7.

Due to superior audio technology in the SigmaTel STMP35xx SOC and SDK, the first generation had a better [[Bass (sound)|bass]] response than [[IPod Classic#Fourth generation|a fourth-generation iPod]], according to a review published days after its release.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Machrone|date=January 20, 2005|title=Apple iPod Shuffle|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1753026,00.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050123014514/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1753026,00.asp|archive-date=January 23, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2005|website=[[PC Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Machrone|date=March 16, 2005|title=Shuffle's Got a Secret|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1777890,00.asp|access-date=July 27, 2010|website=PC Magazine}}</ref>

[[File:ipod-shuffle-usb-connector.jpg|thumb|left|First-generation iPod Shuffle with the cap removed to show the [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] connector. The cap snaps onto the unit. The iPod Shuffle comes with a second cap on a [[lanyard]], which a user can wear around their neck.]]

[[File:First generation I iPod Shuffle in its packaging.jpg|thumb|left|First-generation iPod Shuffle in its packaging]]

The front of the iPod Shuffle has buttons for Play/Pause, Next Song/Fast Forward, Previous Song/Fast Reverse, and up and down [[loudness|volume]] adjustment. On the reverse, it features a battery level indicator light (activated by a button) and a three-position switch to turn the unit off or set it to play music in order or shuffled. It plugs directly into a computer's [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port (either 1.1 or 2.0), through which it also recharged its battery, which has an expected life of around 12 hours. The USB plug has additional pins for proprietary accessories<ref>{{cite web |title=An iPod shuffle on the inside... |url=http://www.chipmunk.nl/ipod/ipodshuffle-2.html |website=Chipmunk International |access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref> and, when not in use, can be hidden beneath a cap. A second cap, included with the unit, has a lanyard attached which allows the iPod Shuffle to hang around the user's neck.

As both already supported by its larger relatives and suggested by its design, the Shuffle can also be used as a [[USB flash drive]] - a feature further facilitated by the dropping of "Macintosh" ([[HFS Plus]]) format: all Shuffles are formatted to [[File Allocation Table|FAT32]] regardless of the operating system used for restoring them. iTunes also allowed users to reserve part of the capacity for storing files, by limiting the space that would be used for storing music.<ref name="ipodshufflecompleteguide" />

===2nd generation===
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2018}}
[[File:ipodshufcomp.jpg|right|thumb|A second-generation iPod Shuffle in size-comparison to a [[Dell]] mouse]]
On September 12, 2006, Apple announced the release of the second-generation iPod Shuffle, calling it "the most wearable iPod ever".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070118215038/https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/sep/12shuffle.html "Apple Unveils the New iPod shuffle"], ''[[Apple.com]]'', September 12, 2006. Accessed April 2, 2006.</ref> First shipments of the unit were slated for an October 2006 arrival, but actually started shipping on Friday, November 3, 2006.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070702163523/http://www.blompo.com/product.php?product=33 Blompo.com]</ref> The second generation initially featured a lone 1&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]] model in a silver brushed aluminum case, similar to the second-generation iPod Nano and the older [[iPod Mini]]. The new model was less than half the size of the first-generation model at 41.2 x 27.3 x 10.5&nbsp;mm (1.62 x 1.07 x 0.41&nbsp;in), and was the size of the iPod Radio Remote. Apple claimed it was the "world's smallest MP3 player". This generation included the new built-in belt clip, and the actual unit itself was thinner, with the entire device weighing only 15.5&nbsp;[[gram|g]] (0.55&nbsp;ounces). The power/shuffle/no shuffle switch from the first-generation version was separated into two controls to avoid an accidentally selected mode of operation.

On the second-generation iPod Shuffle, [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] connectivity is provided via an included piece of hardware which acts as a [[docking station]] for the transfer of data and the recharging of the iPod's internal battery through its [[Phone connector (audio)|headphone jack]]. The second-generation iPod Shuffle was also able to act as a flash drive, just like the first-generation iPod Shuffle. However, unlike the first-generation iPod Shuffle, the second generation did not have a built-in USB connector. This means that the [[docking station]] was required for connection to a computer.

The second-generation Shuffle could play MP3, MP3 [[Variable bitrate|VBR]], [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]], [[Protected AAC]], Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), [[WAV]] and [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]]. Due to its low processing power, the only iTunes-supported file format that the iPod did not support is [[Apple Lossless]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}

On January 30, 2007, Apple announced the addition of four new colors to the iPod Shuffle line - pink, orange, green, and blue, in addition to the original silver color. The orange color was a first for the iPod franchise. They also now came with new redesigned headphones that were not included with the original silver model. The box was also changed to have gray text instead of the lime-green text. On September 5, 2007, Apple introduced four new colors, including a [[Product Red]] version. The new colors were turquoise, lavender, mint green, and [[Product Red]], with the previous colors discontinued. On February 19, 2008, Apple introduced a 2&nbsp;GB version of the iPod Shuffle, retailing for US$69 and available in all the same colours as the 1&nbsp;GB model. At the Apple Let's Rock Event on September 9, 2008, Apple once again released four new colors for the iPod Shuffle: blue, green, pink, and red, replacing the colors that were released in September 2007. The new blue, green and pink variants of the iPod Shuffle reverted to shades that were similar to the colors that were released in January 2007.<ref>[http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-computer-ipod-shuffle-second-generation/ Ilounge.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209070205/http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-computer-ipod-shuffle-second-generation/ |date=December 9, 2014 }}. Ilounge.com. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.</ref> In June 2009, [[Avon Products|Avon]] offered a gold iPod Shuffle (second generation) for $29 when purchased in conjunction with two ANEW skin care products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=707814|title=Gold iPod Shuffle from Avon|date=May 28, 2009 }}</ref>

The second generation 2&nbsp;GB iPod Shuffle was discontinued on March 11, 2009, and the 1&nbsp;GB version was discontinued on September 9, 2009.

===3rd generation===
[[File:Shuffle 3G iPod.svg|right|thumb|A third-generation iPod Shuffle]]

The third-generation iPod Shuffle was released on March 11, 2009; it was said by Apple to be "jaw-droppingly small" and "The first music player that talks to you".<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Apple Announces Incredible New iPod shuffle |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2009/03/11Apple-Announces-Incredible-New-iPod-shuffle/ |location=[[Cupertino, California]] |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |date=2009-03-11 |access-date=2024-03-14}}</ref> with dimensions of {{convert|45.2|x|17.5|x|7.8|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}. It was available with a silver or black brushed aluminum case similar to the second generation iPod Shuffle; this made it the first iPod Shuffle that was available in black. It featured [[VoiceOver]] technology that allowed song names, artist names, album names and playlist contents and names to be spoken in 20 different languages<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090312061642/https://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/voiceover.html iPod shuffle – With VoiceOver, iPod shuffle talks"]. "Apple. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.</ref> using the Text-to-Speech incorporated in [[iTunes]] 8 and 9, which is based on Nuance Vocalizer. Users of MacOS 10.5 and newer will hear Alex on their iPod shuffle, while MacOS 10.4 and Windows users will hear Samantha. It has also gained support for multiple playlists, in contrast to previous versions of the iPod Shuffle, which only allowed a single playlist.

[[File:Ipodshuffle inside.JPG|left|thumb|The inside of a third-generation iPod Shuffle]]
The third-generation iPod Shuffle featured a polished steel attachment clip, adopting for the first time the polished steel finishing previously found only on the larger iPods, rather than the brushed aluminum used in the second-generation iPod Shuffle. It also no longer had volume or track controls on the device itself. Instead, the packaged [[iPod earbuds]] included a three-button device on the right earbud cord. This added the functions of changing between playlists, hearing the song title and artist of the track playing, as well as play/pause, track changes and volume control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Controlling the Third-Generation iPod Shuffle|url=http://ipod.about.com/od/howtos/f/control-shuffle.htm|website=About|publisher=About.com|access-date=April 28, 2009|archive-date=August 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827020721/http://ipod.about.com/od/howtos/f/control-shuffle.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It originally was not possible to change songs or volume with most third-party headphones, since they lacked these controls. However, since the device began playing music automatically when it was turned on, third-party headphones could still be used in "autoplay" mode (with no volume or playback controls), and after its release, some third-party headphones and headphone adapters began to include full support for the third generation.<ref>{{cite web|title=New iPod shuffle requires extra adapter for third-party headphones|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/11/new-ipod-shuffle-requires-extra-adapter-for-third-party-headphon/|website=[[Engadget]]}}</ref> The official headphones contained a chip designed by Apple to control the device. [[Digital rights management|DRM]] is not however present in the chip as there is no encryption used.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manufacturer confirms chip: iPod headphones now have the Apple Tax; Update: Apple confirms no DRM, authentication, just licensing|url=http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/03/16/manufacturer-confirm.html|website=[[BoingBoing]]}}</ref>

According to the compatibility list published in Apple's website,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201869|title=Compatibility of Apple wired headset models with iPhone, iPad, and iPod models|date=July 14, 2023 }}</ref> none of the currently sold Apple headphones support the third-generation iPod shuffle.

On September 9, 2009, Apple introduced three new colors for the iPod Shuffle: pink, blue, and green. The [[Apple Store]] also offered a 4&nbsp;GB model made of polished [[stainless steel]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061017104155/https://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/features.html Apple.com]. Apple.com. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.</ref>

===4th generation===
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2018}}
[[File:Apple-iPod-Shuffle-Display.jpg|thumb|Various iPod Shuffles (4th generation) on display at an [[Apple Store]]]]

On August 27, 2010, Apple won a patent for a "Very small form factor consumer electronic product",<ref>{{Cite patent|number=8368643|title=United States Patent: 8368643 - Very small form factor consumer electronic product|gdate=February 5, 2013|invent1=Dabov|invent2=Yeates|invent3=Montevirgen|inventor1-first=Teodor|inventor2-first=Kyle|inventor3-first=Anthony|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm&r=32&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=(apple.ASNM.+AND+20130205.PD.)&OS=an/apple+and+isd/2/5/2013&RS=(AN/apple+AND+ISD/20130205)}}</ref> which describes the parts and processes that go into making the ultra-portable music player, the iPod shuffle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/13/02/05/apple-wins-exhaustive-fourth-generation-ipod-shuffle-patent|title=Apple wins exhaustive fourth-generation iPod shuffle patent|last1=Mikey|first1=Campbell|website=AppleInsider|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18 |date=February 5, 2013}}</ref>

On September 1, 2010, the fourth and final generation was released<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1153816/new_ipods.html|title=Apple releases redesigned iPod nano, shuffle|work=Macworld|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en}}</ref> as part of the new iPod lineup. The fourth generation features the return of clickable track and volume controls from the first two generations. The control pad is 18% larger than the second generation of iPod Shuffle, and the dimensions of the device are {{convert|29|x|31.6|x|8.7|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and it weighs {{convert|12.5|g|oz|1|abbr=on}}.

The model also features [[VoiceOver]] from the third generation, now with a devoted physical button, in twenty-nine languages (Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish). It also features [[ITunes#Genius|Genius]], and can handle multiple playlists. Like the previous generation it supports MP3, [[Variable bitrate|VBR]], [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]], [[Protected AAC]], Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), [[WAV]], [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]] and [[Apple Lossless]], and its battery lasts for 15 hours of music, according to Apple.

It was originally sold in five colors (silver with a black control pad, green, blue, orange and pink with a white control pad). However, on September 12, 2012, Apple held an event to formally introduce the iPhone 5, as well as a new iPod lineup, and the iPod Shuffle remained unchanged except for seven new color options (silver or black with a black control pad or green, blue, pink, yellow, and purple with a white control pad), as well as a [[Product Red]] edition model with a white control pad. Unlike the second generation, the iPod does not come with a dock, but like the third generation, comes with a 45&nbsp;mm USB Cable. The included in-box headphones do not feature the remote control, but the device supports them.

On September 10, 2013, to coincide with the release of the [[iPhone 5S]], the "Slate" color option was replaced with "Space Grey".

On July 15, 2015, Apple released 6 new colors (blue, pink, silver, gold, space grey, and [[Product Red|Product (Red]]) for the iPod Shuffle.

On July 27, 2017, the iPod Shuffle, along with the [[iPod Nano]], was discontinued.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Pierce |first=David |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Goodbye iPod, and Thanks for All the Tunes |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/goodbye-ipod-and-thanks-for-all-the-tunes/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

==Models==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Generation
!Image
!Capacity
!Colors
!Connection
!Original release date
!Minimum OS to sync<!-- This area is SIMPLY for MINIMUM operating systems required, not a full list of compatible ones.-->
!Rated battery life <small>(hours)</small><!--This is taken from Apple's websites specifications based on a brand new battery and assuming a fully charged battery.-->
|-
!rowspan=3|1st
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:iPod shuffle 1G.png|60px|first-generation iPod Shuffle]]
| 512&nbsp;MB
|rowspan=2|White
|rowspan=2|USB 2.0<br /><small>(no adapter required)</small>
|rowspan=2|January 12, 2005
|rowspan=2|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.2|10.2.8]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 2000|2000]]
|rowspan=2|''audio'':&nbsp;12
|-
| 1&nbsp;GB
|-
|colspan="6"|New entry-level model. Uses flash memory and has no screen. It was discontinued on September 12, 2006.
|-
!rowspan=7|2nd
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Shuffle 2G iPod.svg|45px|second-generation iPod Shuffle]]
|1&nbsp;GB
|Silver
|rowspan=6|USB 2.0<br /><small>(with included dock)</small>
|September 12, 2006
|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.3|10.3.9]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 2000|2000]]
|rowspan=6|''audio'':&nbsp;12
|-
|-
|1&nbsp;GB
|Silver<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Orange<br />Pink
|January 30, 2007
|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.3|10.3.9]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 2000|2000]]
|-
|-
|1&nbsp;GB
|rowspan=2|Silver
Gold<br />Light Blue<br />Light Green<br />Purple<br />[[Product Red]] special edition
|September 5, 2007
|rowspan=2|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.4|10.4.8]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 2000|2000]]
|-
|2&nbsp;GB
|February 19, 2008
|-
|-
|1&nbsp;GB
|rowspan=2|Silver<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Pink<br />[[Product Red]] special edition
|rowspan=2|September 9, 2008
|rowspan=2|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.4|10.4.10]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 2000|2000]]
|-
|2&nbsp;GB
|-
|colspan=6|Smaller clip design with anodized aluminum casing. The 1st model was discontinued on January 30, 2007. The 2nd model was discontinued on September 5, 2007. The 3rd model was discontinued on February 18, 2008. The 4th model reached the end of its production on March 11, 2009.
|-
!rowspan=4|3rd
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:iPod shuffle 3G.png|75px]]
|4&nbsp;GB
|Silver<br />Black
|rowspan=3|USB 2.0<br /><small>(cable is included)</small>
|March 11, 2009
|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.4|10.4.11]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows XP|XP]]
|rowspan=3|''audio'':&nbsp;10
|-
|-
|2&nbsp;GB
|Silver<br />Black<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Pink
|rowspan=2|September 9, 2009
|rowspan=2|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.4|10.4.11]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows XP|XP]]
|-
|4&nbsp;GB
|Silver<br />Black<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Pink<br />Polished [[Stainless Steel]] <small>(exclusive to [[Apple Online Store|Apple Online]] and [[Apple Retail Store|retail stores]])</small>
|-
| colspan=6 |Smaller design with controls relocated to right earbud cable, features playlists and [[VoiceOver]]. The 4&nbsp;GB model was discontinued on September 9, 2009. The 2&nbsp;GB model was discontinued on September 1, 2010.
|-
!rowspan=4|4th
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:IPod Shuffle 4G.svg|60px]]
| rowspan="3" | 2&nbsp;GB
| Silver<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Orange<br />Pink
| rowspan="3" | USB 2.0<br /><small>(cable is included)</small>
|September 1, 2010
|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.5|10.5.8]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows XP|XP]]
| rowspan="3" | ''audio'':&nbsp;15
|-
|Silver<br />Black<br />Blue<br />Green<br />Pink<br />Purple<br />Yellow<br />[[Product Red]] Special edition
|September 12, 2012
|Mac:&nbsp;[[Mac OS X v10.6|10.6.8]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows XP|XP (SP3)]]
|-
| Silver<br />Blue<br />Gold<br />Pink<br />Space Gray<br />[[Product Red]] Special Edition
|July 15, 2015
|Mac:&nbsp;[[OS X Lion|10.7.5]]<br />Windows:&nbsp;[[Windows 7|7]]
|-
| colspan="6" |Redesign returning the play/track/volume buttons from the second generation and power/shuffle mode switch from the 1st gen, and adding a button for VoiceOver. The silver, blue, green, orange and pink models were discontinued on September 12, 2012. Apple replaced them with new silver, slate, purple, pink, yellow, green and blue models, all with matte finish, rather than a glossy finish, in order to correspond with the 5th-generation iPod touch and 7th-generation iPod nano. New "Space Gray" color option replaces "Slate" as of September 10, 2013, in order to correspond with the iPhone 5S. Discontinued on July 27, 2017. 
|}

==Reception and impact==
The iPod Shuffle was announced at the same time as the [[Mac Mini]]. Like the iPod Shuffle, the Mac Mini is a scaled-down [[Product (business)|product]] which was introduced at a lower price. These two products together can be seen as a conscious effort on the part of Apple management to target a [[low-end market|lower-end market]] and increase visibility in the [[mass-market]]. Previously, the success of Apple's [[iPod]] and especially the [[iPod Mini]] had been chipping away at the inexpensive flash player market, causing flash players at the beginning of 2005 to account for less than half the market share they did in 2004.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} However, the original and Mini iPods were expensive and the Shuffle was intended to make the iPod compete with mainstream players.

By April 2005, the end of Apple's second fiscal quarter, the iPod Shuffle had already proven itself to be a successful product for its manufacturer. Although Apple has chosen not to specify how many iPod Shuffles were sold in the product's first three months of existence, analysts at [[Piper Jaffray]] estimated that 1.8&nbsp;million of the 5.3&nbsp;million iPods sold in the second quarter were Shuffles. [[NPD Group]] estimates that the iPod Shuffle captured 43% of the flash-based music player market in February 2005, after only its second month of existence;<ref>[http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1000 Appleinsider.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050422011152/http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1000 |date=April 22, 2005 }}</ref> by March 2005, its market share had risen to 58%.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050504-4876.html Shuffle captures 58 percent of flash players market, says Apple], [[ArsTechnica]]</ref> The iPod Shuffle effectively helped Apple to replace [[iriver]] as the global leader in the flash player market, just as it already had been before in the hard disk market.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1836 | title=Apple's iPod to Face Tough Competition from Korea Cos | date=April 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mobile-review.com/mp3/articles/iriver-history-2.shtml |title=История компании iRiver. Часть 2 |last=Dorozhin |first=Alexey |date=27 November 2006 |access-date=19 April 2022 |language=ru |trans-title=History of iRiver (Part 2)}}</ref> The iPod Shuffle had some market challengers such as Sony's [[Walkman Bean]] early on<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2005/08/18/sony_walkman_bean/|title=Sony counters iPod Shuffle with the Bean}}</ref> and in later years SanDisk's [[Sansa Clip]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techreport.com/blog/13963/a-quick-look-at-sandisks-sansa-clip-mp3-player/|title=A quick look at SanDisk's Sansa Clip MP3 player|date=January 22, 2008}}</ref> though the iPod Shuffle generally sold better.

In September 2006, Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]] announced during his keynote presentation on the "It's Showtime" Special Event, that until then, Apple had sold 10 million first-generation iPod Shuffles.

===Problems===

====Blinking light problem====
''[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'' reported a problem with the first-generation iPod Shuffles ceasing normal function, only to flash orange and green lights and become unmountable. Since the Shuffle has no display, the owner cannot read an error message or troubleshoot easily, requiring diagnosis by Apple service personnel. Flashing green and orange lights on the iPod Shuffle indicate that a generic "error" has occurred, according to Apple's documentation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Quick Reference Card|url=https://www.apple.com/support/ipodshuffle/reference|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050113222349/https://www.apple.com/support/ipodshuffle/reference|archive-date=January 13, 2005}}</ref> If the device is still covered by warranty, Apple will replace it for free.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,126146-page,1/article.html|date=June 22, 2006|access-date=February 8, 2006|first=Stuart|last=Johnston|title=If Lights Blink on Your iPod Shuffle, It Could Be Bad News|work=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]|archive-date=April 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429230200/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,126146-page,1/article.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This problem has also occurred on second-generation iPod Shuffles.

On October 26, 2006, Apple released an iPod Shuffle Reset Utility that corrected this problem for some owners of first-generation iPod Shuffles.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the iPod shuffle Reset Utility|url=http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303979|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728033902/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303979|archive-date=July 28, 2007|publisher=Apple}}</ref> Then, in March 2007, an updated [[iPod Reset Utility]] was released which can also address similar problems with second-generation iPod Shuffles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1238|title= About iPod Reset Utility|date= June 8, 2023|publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]}}</ref>

====Third-generation headphone controls====
Unlike most other portable audio players, the third-generation iPod Shuffle's controls are situated on the packaged headphones. The user is unable to control the device unless they use either Apple headphones designed for it, or third-party headphones or adapters. The third generation iPod Shuffle's headphones contain a proprietary [[integrated circuit]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Third-party headphones do require Apple-supplied chip|url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/third-party-headphones-do-require-apple-supplied-chip.ars|website=arstechnica|date=March 16, 2009}}</ref> Also, inline control adapters that were made by third-party companies for use with the iPhone are incompatible with the iPod Shuffle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Old iPod/iPhone Adapters don't work in new Shuffle|url=http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/03/14/old-inline-ipodiphon.html|website=[[Boing Boing]]}}</ref>

Several months after the third-generation release, several third-party companies, including [[Belkin]] and Scosche, released adapters which can be used to add the controls to standard headphones.<ref>[http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/210/sfID2/321/productID/1726 Scosche.com]. Scosche.com. Retrieved on July 5, 2011.</ref>
 
{{timeline of compact iPod models}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons|iPod shuffle}}
*{{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20170717114832/http://www.apple.com/ipod-shuffle/|name=Archived website}}

{{iPod}}

{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
{{Apple}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ipod Shuffle}}
[[Category:IPod|Shuffle]]
[[Category:Screenless digital audio players]]
[[Category:ITunes]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2017]]
[[Category:Digital audio players]]