iTunes 11 freezing while transfering music, and can't eject it, so I need to disconnect the cable, then iTunes works just fine and my iPod Shuffle is in restoring mode. I've been having this issue for weeks, and never had it before with iTunes 10.

As a test, shut down (power off) your computer and disconnect all USB devices including hub (except for standard keyboard and mouse if normally used). If your computer is a laptop, connect its power adapter (so that it's not running on battery power). Do this to reset the shuffle

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1655

Start up the computer, run iTunes, and connect the shuffle to a direct USB port on the computer. Does this problem recur when the shuffle is the only USB device?

If it does (as another test), select the shuffle in iTunes, so that its Settings screen is showing. Check the box for Enable disk use, and Apply. Does that make any difference regarding this problem?

not the iPod, since it's new...(I've got it three months ago, but I never used it before)

I thought you said it was a 2nd gen shuffle, in your original post. How can a 2nd gen shuffle be "new"? That model is at least about 5 or 6 years old at this point.

If it is only three months old, so it's a 4th gen shuffle, it is under warranty. If it's defective, you should contact Apple for repair or replacement. This is Apple's user discussion forum. To contact Apple directly, use the Contact Us link at the bottom right corner of this web page, or if there is an Apple Store nearby, make a reservation at the Genius Bar and take it there.

Electronic components can age and corrode, even if sitting "new" in a box, including the data contact points on the shuffle or cable. The lithium battery can lose its capacity to charge through age, not just use.