iPod shuffle Models: Every Generation, 2005–2017

A player without a screen

The iPod shuffle was a flash-memory iPod with no display and a switch for playing songs in order or at random. Four generations were sold between January 2005 and July 2017.

The first generation was announced at Macworld Expo on 11 January 2005 in two versions: 512 MB for US$99, holding up to 120 songs, and 1 GB for US$149, holding up to 240. It plugged straight into a computer's USB port to charge and sync, doubled as a USB flash drive and was rated at up to 12 hours of playback. By September 2006 Apple had sold 10 million of them, according to Steve Jobs.

Second generation: the clip (2006)

Announced on 12 September 2006 and on sale from 3 November, the second generation was a 1 GB aluminium player with a built-in clip, about half a cubic inch in volume and half an ounce in weight, priced at US$79. Apple called it the world's smallest digital music player. Coloured versions followed on 30 January 2007, and on 19 February 2008 the 1 GB model fell to US$49 alongside a new 2 GB model at US$69.

Third generation: controls on the cord (2009)

The third generation, announced on 11 March 2009, moved the playback controls to the earphone cord. Its VoiceOver feature spoke song titles, artists and playlist names in 14 languages. The 4 GB model cost US$79, held up to 1,000 songs and came in silver or black. Apple rated it at up to 10 hours of playback and said it was smaller than a AA battery.

Fourth generation and discontinuation (2010–2017)

On 1 September 2010 Apple brought back clickable buttons on the body while keeping VoiceOver. The fourth generation held 2 GB, cost US$49, ran for more than 15 hours and came in aluminium with a built-in clip in silver, blue, green, orange and pink. Later updates, the last on 15 July 2015, changed only the colours. On 27 July 2017 Apple removed the iPod shuffle and iPod nano from sale, leaving the iPod touch as the only iPod.