Originally posted by djrlewis[..]
I think (don't quote me, I'm definitely not a defend-Apple-at-all-costs-fanboy) that it is because they were aiming the Shuffle mainly at a very casual market who would have no need for lossless files (mainly gym/running/biking/kids etc) and this way they could bump the figures for number of songs.
They didn't reckon on someone like you who wanted high-qulaity music!!
Indeed. And the quoted Apple figures are using 128Kbps AAC bought from the iTunes Store. They assume if you want lossless you'll go a classic or a touch.