iPod Shuffle: The new Official Cool

This could be a no-brainer decision for anyone (like me, for instance) contemplating getting a digital music player - get an iPod Shuffle. Launched this week at iPod Shuffle is a USB flashdrive-based player that costs just $99 for the one with 512 megs capacity and $149 for the one-gig model. It weighs less than an ounce, comes with those nice little white iPod earbuds, 12-hour battery life, holds up to 240 songs (or lots of podcasts)... this is indeed cool, even though it can't support playlists (which might be the one off-putter for some people). But it carries the iPod brand name, so what does a little playlist or two matter? simple success analysis: "[...] This is a good move for Apple and it's already causing heartburn for a lot of execs at companies doing flash based players. Some will call it high priced for a device with no display but the capacity and the form factor are excellent for the money. [...] Apple has declared $99 iPods are cool and that message will resonate with the masses. It gives reason for the most price sensitive parts of the market to enter the iPod camp and allows Apple to have a family of products at prices up and down the spectrum. [...] At the moment, everyone is oohing and aahing them. No such reaction at If you're looking to buy one,