Ipod shuffle was
the first ipod to use flash memory

Ipod shuffle was the first ipod digital audio player created by Apple on the basis of flash memory and released in January 2005. This mp3 player was designed specifically to be easily loaded with a batch of songs and to play them in random order. Though random is a new order of this ipod, this doesn't mean that shuffle will force you to listen to your tunes in random order only. You can easily use iTunes on your computer to create a play list and download specific songs to your iPod and listen to them in desired order.

In few words this ipod has the following features: product dimensions 5.3 x 1.0 x 5.3 inches, 8.0 ounces; 1 GB model holds up to 240 songs (512 MB model holds up to 120 songs); supports the following formats: MP3, MP3 VBR, AAC, Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store, M4A, M4B, M4P), and WAV; up to 12 hours of battery life and approximately 4 hour charge time; USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatibility using integrated USB connector; compatible with Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later (Mac OS X 10.3.4 or later recommended for use with low-power USB ports) and Windows 2000 with SP 4 or Windows XP Home or Professional with SP 2; includes earbud headphones, lanyard, and USB cap.

On the front of this device you will find buttons for Play/Pause, Next Song/Fast Forward, Previous Song/Fast Reverse, and up and down volume adjustment. On the reverse side it has a battery level indicator light and a three-position switch - turns the unit off or sets it to play music in order or shuffled. It can be plugged directly into a computer USB port (either 1.1 or 2.0) that is also used to recharge the device battery which life if 12 hours between charges). The USB plug is hidden beneath a USB cap. The device also includes a lanyard that attaches to the iPod shuffle through an attached cap - this allows the iPod user to wear the device around his or her neck

According to user reviews this ipod has some disadvantages like no LCD display to navigate through songs, no FM tuner or voice recorder, the battery life is too short…
However to my mind this disadvantages resulted from the main advantage of this digital audio player: it is a one-purpose player, comparatively cheap, lightweight, easy to navigate, can hold a fair amount of music (about 12-15 CDs or so) and with great sound quality. This ipod is specially designed for users just to listen to their tunes everywhere they go and do not pay extra money for this.

Other main advantages of this model: it's price, it's simplicity - easy to learn and enjoy; small size/weight; plays AAC files; besides iTunes offers a special feature for the iPod shuffle, i.e. the ability to reduce bit rate of songs 128 kbit/s; amazing sound quality…

For more details refer to the ipod shuffle model descriptions:

Apple 512 MB iPod Shuffle

Ipod shuffle was the first ipod to use flash memory

Ipod shuffle was
the first ipod to use flash memory