The 2009 version of Apple's iPod shuffle portable music player holds either 2 GB or 4 GB worth of music (depending on which model you buy) and has no screen or controls on the device itself aside from a single switch on the top to turn it off and on.

The iPod shuffle is controlled via controls included in the cord of the new earbuds that come with the device. The most notable feature of this diminutive iPod is the new VoiceOver feature that speaks the title and musician associated with the song currently playing and also speaks your playlists aloud to you for song navigation. While previous models of the iPod shuffle also lacked a screen, the devices had no way of telling what song was playing or navigating playlists, so one could either listen to all the songs on the device in a row or put the device in shuffle mode (thus the name of the iPod shuffle) to randomly go from song to song. The addition of the VoiceOver speech features adds a level of navigation previously missing from the previous generation of the device.

The iPod shuffle also comes with a built-in clip for attaching to your clothes, measures 1.8 inches tall by 0.7 inch wide by 0.3 inch thick, weighs only 0.38 of an ounce, and comes in a variety of colors and finishes.

The iPod shuffle supports the following audio formats: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV. Battery life is rated at about 10 hours of music playback on a full charge.

As of a price drop on September 9th, 2009, the iPod shuffle starts at $59 for the 2 GB model. A new Special Edition model made from polished stainless steel is also available in a 4 GB configuration for $99.

[Special Edition image courtesy of gdgt.]