New Apple Shuffle!

When you get that notice the Apple Store is down for maintenance, you know something's up. Well the big A pulled one out of a hat this morning by releasing a completely redesigned iPod Shuffle. The littlest member of the iPod family received a much needed face-lift and a complete feature overhaul with appropriate price tag to boot.

New features includes:

• New form factor: 1.8" length x 0.3" depth - smaller than a regular house key


• New remote headphones - similar to the in-ear headphones announced last October


• 4GB storage capacity


• Multiple playlist sync


• VoiceOver - the Shuffle is now capable of speaking to you and announcing the title, artist, battery status and other options at the push of a button - and in 14 different languages


• Stainless steel clip - still capable of engraving but shiny!

This is a big change from the last generation Shuffle and with the added capacity and included remote headphones, it's also a fair bit more useful.  However, all this "innovation" comes at a steep cost - $99 CAN and $79 USD.

In comparison, other 4GB music players such as the Sansa Clip routinely goes on sale for $59 CAN and less in US but it also lacks the new Shuffle's remote, form factor, and VoiceOver.  But other "shuffle" based MP3 players usually includes an OLED screen and FM tuner.

To be fair, Apple isn't aiming this at the entry level.  This is sort of the MacBook Air of the iPod family.  Small, light, sexy and all too expensive but very chic.  The previous generation of iPod Shuffles are still available for sale at their previous price points so the new Shuffle is in a class of its own.

What do you think?  Too expensive?  Just right?  Getting one?  Let us know in the comments!