This is clearly an incredible move by Apple. I love their new marketing plan to reach out to the mainstream. They created the Mac Mini, which is labeled the most affordable Mac, and in my opinion is the coolest device to come out this year so far. Now on to the the IPOD shuffle...

1) I hate people who are complaining about lack of LCD, lack of this, lack of that. Clearly, this device was made for one purpose. That purpose of being a digital music MP3 player. That is exactly what it does..

2) People are complaining about how they can get any other flash based player cheaper or better with more features. Lets go back to the idea of the company who is creating this product. Apple!! Apple has released products that are very high in quality. Lets look at the IPOD.. very good reviews, sold 10,000,000 units and counting. Clearly Apple is doing something right with their current player. Comments are already coming in that sound quality is top notch.. if not better than the 3G player from a recent review at NY times. Apple takes away the features that are really uneccesary when really what you want is something that will not just play Mp3, but be able to play them with good loud sound.

3) This device is targeted for people that are: working out, walking, jogging, on the bus.. they want something small, and something not crazy delicate. Ipod's are pretty expensive, which makes people worry that they will drop it or scratch it. With the shuffle, people are less worried as it is designed to throw around or move with. This goes back to the LCD function, when someone is on the move, or jogging, I am pretty sure that they are not looking at the LCD screen. They just have music going while they run.

4) The price!!! Incredible move by Apple.. $99 for 512MB, $149 for 1 GB model. Not only is the product backed up my a solid name in the MP3 player industry as of late, but now a new market has been reached. People can have that Apple quality product at a price that is affordable.

5) Flash based MP3 players are nothing new. Apple is smart because they own a bit over 70% of the digital MP3 market. They want to take over the exisiting amount left over. This is not Apple trying to say look at us.. we desigined flashed based players, but rather Apple making a very smart move and offering a product to the general average consumer and kicking out the competition. Very smart move on a business standpoint. IMO there is a lot of crap MP3 flash based players out there, that do not even deserve to be on store shelves. I think by Apple replacing them with their own high quality product just improves customer statisfaction and makes them happier.

Anyways, I ordered one yesterday night. I work out 4-5 days a week, and this device is perfect for me. I am excited to receive my Shuffle player. I am not trying to suck up to Apple, but clearly Steve J is truly a great marketer. I feel that by offering products that are lower in cost, but still keeping that high quality product will help the competition work harder to release better products. Anyways enough of me. Post your opinion!!