3G Shuffle hints at new iPhone designs

Yesterday, Apple released the 3rd generation Shuffle, their low man on the totem pole of MP3 players. The new design is almost inconceivably smaller than the 2nd generation and moves function buttons off the device in favor of having them on the earphone cord. A break out feature guides you by voice to get to the song of playlist you desire as there is no screen. What can this latest player to hop out of Cupertino tell us about a new iPhone?

I say plenty. Apple loves their family look and there is every reason to believe we’ll see some of the concepts in the Shuffle carried into the next generation iPhone.

Looks

Let’s start with the easy: looks. The Shuffle is totally upscale. The two-tone aluminum (polished and matte finish) create a stunningly sexy device that screams class. The Apple logo stands out brilliantly on the polished clip. I believe Apple will carry this upscale look to the iPhone.

Apple could do this by offering two colors, just as the Shuffle is offered today: silver and black. Both would be a step up from shiny white or black. As we believe the next model will incorporate some kind of HD (or at least higher resolution screen), an upscale look will go along nicely.

Shape

I was taken aback that the new Shuffle follows the shape of the old Mini instead of the contoured Nano. Maybe it was too small to achieve the nuanced angles? Regardless, it says Apple isn’t committed to sweeping contours that we see on the iPhone and the Nano. Perhaps this is Apple just stepping back and saying, “Hey, this is our el-cheapo special, what do you expect?” and they’d be right. This Shuffle shouts, “don’t expect to see any fruity colors on the iPhone anytime soon.”

Features

The new Shuffle is Apple working hard to stay on top of the cheap MP3 player market. A feature that defines it just enough to intrigue buyers. This Shuffle’s voice technology is the Nano’s shake-n-shuffle. Could this feature make its way upstream? Perhaps.

Where would this feature make sense with a gorgeous screen staring back at you? Perhaps when docked with your car stereo? Instead of dividing your attention from outside world to iPhone screen, the audio voice would be your guide. I’d argue some tactile feedback to tell you where the forward button is would be handy, this would be a step in the right direction. And I am sure Apple would allow us to turn this off or on depending on your preference.

Controls in the earphones

This is trickle down tech from the original iPhone and it makes a lot of sense on the Shuffle. While I am skeptical the button combo on the earphones will replace the simplicity of pushing the buttons on a gen 2 Shuffle, I’ll go along with anything to make forwarding Barry Manilow while I am running easier.

I don’t believe we’ll see the iPhone use voice tech for main functionality besides music play, but who knows.

As June gets closer, you can bet Gadgetell will have plenty more analysis on the next iPhone. Stay tuned.

Check out Appletell’s full preview of the Shuffle.