iPod shuffle (3G) (2009)
Apple introduced the third-generation iPod shuffle on March 11, 2009, and said it was shipping: 4 GB for $79 in the United States, in silver or black. Its aluminum design with a stainless steel clip moved playback controls to the earphone cable. Apple identifies it as A1271.
© Cassiopeia sweet · Public domain (PD-self) ↗ Resized, no crop or retouching.
Specs
| Key feature | A1271 |
| Storage | 4 GB at launch; 2 GB added in September 2009 |
| Ports | Headphone and USB cable port |
| Price | 79 USD (4 GB, US launch) |
| Availability | 2009-03-11 |
Launch and design
Apple introduced the third-generation iPod shuffle on March 11, 2009, and said it was shipping: 4 GB for $79 in the United States, in silver or black. Its aluminum design with a stainless steel clip moved playback controls to the earphone cable. Apple identifies it as A1271.
VoiceOver and controls
VoiceOver announced song titles, artists and playlist names, allowing users to switch between playlists without a navigation screen. At launch it spoke 14 languages, including Spanish. A three-position switch selected off, play in order or shuffle. The headphone port also connected the USB cable to a computer. Apple advertised up to ten hours of battery life, not a promise for an old battery.
September expansion
On September 9, 2009, Apple expanded the same generation: 2 GB for $59 and 4 GB for $79 in the United States, in five colors, plus a polished stainless steel 4 GB edition sold by Apple for $99. This page includes that revision rather than counting another generation. Earphones with Remote and a USB cable were included. The photo shows a pink example from the expanded range with its USB cable, not a March launch color; no capacity is assigned to it.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: third-generation iPod shuffle (2009-03-11)
- Apple Newsroom: expanded shuffle range (2009-09-09)
- Apple: identify your iPod model
- Wikimedia Commons
- Public domain (PD-self)
Pink third-generation iPod shuffle with USB cable, expanded 2009 range. Photo: Cassiopeia sweet, Wikimedia Commons, public domain (PD-self). No changes by us; not a March launch photo.