Apple has announced that its brand new iPod shuffle dock has now gone on general sale.

However, reports are already suggesting that supply will more than likely prove to be insufficient again due to high consumer demand for this latest revamped accessory.

The iPod shuffle dock has been described by Apple as “an elegant and convenient home base for syncing and charging” but is also a useful item for iPod owners who do not have access to a USB port.

This is because the white glossy dock removes the need for iPod owners to plug their shuffles directly into a computer’s USB port as a result of a tidy integrated white USB cord within the dock itself.

This original USB extension feature is a smart and useful accessory which can be used not only with the iPod shuffle but with eMac, iMac G3, notebook and by other computer users who do not have easy access to USB ports.

First introduced at Macworld Expo last month, the new dock accessory will reportedly ship in five to seven weeks at a retail price of around £15.50.