2009 iPod shuffle (Gen 3) is not the most notable Apple product in the iPod family. It is however a huge milestone in the way approached iPods. This was the first easy-to-use iPod without a screen. It was the first iPod with voice prompts for the user.
"The first music player that talks to you"
Design Brief
---------------
* Highly tactile volume control
* Voice prompts or beeps to signify the menu in use
* Highly concealable for joggers
* Enhanced operational ability for the blind
* Low price-point.
The design brief was a response to anecdotal reports by a visually impaired owner. The experience was so obvious once it was explained that it was the primary inspiration for this product. To improve the likelihood of acceptance, it was also described as an excellent product model for joggers and discrete users. In all of these applications the use of an LCD / matrix screen was not necessary.
It took Apple 6 months from submission to product line. When I announced the problem had swayed Apple and the iPod was in the stores, there was a stunned silence at the other end of the phone. For at least one person this iPod was a life changing product. It is a milestone product which started a philosophy which continues to this day.
There are many more challenges for the visually impaired. The journey continues.