iPod Shuffle - A steal at twice the price

You tell me which is a better deal:

1) Buy a 512 MB Memory Stick

($160) or

the 1 GB version

($270).

Now you've got easily transportable, non-volatile storage for your files and stuff.

Except you need a Memory Stick Reader to use it.

That'll be another $41.

2) Buy a 512 MB iPod Shuffle ($100). Or the 1 GB version ($150).

Now you've got easily transportable, non-volatile storage for your files and stuff.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot: Apple will throw in - free - the following: a music player, as elegant and stylish as any functional object on the planet; a 12-hour rechargeable battery; a lanyard; earphones;

and a U.S.B. 2.0 connector so you don't need a reader.

Pick up the clue phone.

Apple has just disemboweled the flash memory market.

Or - at the very least - brought prices down to where they should've been all along.