iPod Shuffle - 2005
model at On September 12, 2006, Apple announced the release of the second generation iPod shuffle, calling it “the most wearable iPod ever”. First shipments of the unit were slated for an October 2006 arrival, but actually started shipping on Friday, November 3, 2006. The new generation featured a lone 1 GBUS$79, GB£49, CA$89, AU$119 or €89 (France) in a silver brushed aluminum case similar to the second generation iPod nano and the older iPod mini. The new model is less than half the size of the first generation model at 41.2 x 27.3 x 10.5 mm (1.62 x 1.07 x 0.41 in), and is reminiscent of the iPod radio remote available for iPod nanos and 5th generation iPods. Apple branded it as the “world’s smallest MP3 player”. This size includes the new built-in belt clip; the actual unit itself is thinner, with the entire device weighing only 15.5 g (0.55 ounces). The power and shuffle/no shuffle switches were also separated into two controls to prevent accidental choice of shuffle when that may not be the desired mode of operation. The formatting of the iPod itself is new to Apple, as the 2G (2nd Generation) Shuffle will only format itself to FAT32. iTunes issues a warning that the iPod is incorrectly formatted if brought to the Macintosh format HFS+. All previous iPod models have allowed the usage of either the Mac format or the PC format.On the second generation iPod shuffle, USB connectivity is provided via an included dock, which transfers data through the headphone jack. The second generation iPod shuffle is 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 does not have a built-in USB connector. This means the dock is required for connection to a computer on the second generation model.
The second generation Shuffle can play MP3, MP3 VBR, AAC, Protected AAC, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), WAV and AIFF, meaning that the only iTunes format not supported is Apple Lossless. (Note that using WAV or AIFF on a 1GB device will mean very few songs may be held.)
On January 30, 2007, Apple announced the addition of four new colors to the iPod shuffle line. In addition to the original silver, a pink, orange, green, and blue color has been made available via the Apple Store (online). Of the colours the blue, green, and pink are essentially the same hues as the second generation minis and nanos. The new orange color is a first for the iPod franchise. They also now come with the 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, lime-green showing that the original headphones are included, and gray text showing that the new headphones are included.
On September 5, 2007, Apple refreshed the line with four new colors including a (PRODUCT) RED version. The new colors (turquoise, lavender, mint green, and dark red) replaced the previous colors (pink, orange, green, and blue).
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