This iPod Shuffle is a disaster
The controls for the new iPod Shuffle are built into the headphone cord, which means you can only use Apple's earbuds.
(Credit: Apple)Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of the iPod Shuffle. I run with one and I just recently bought a second refurbished gen-two Shuffle for $30 to give to my brother. But with the new gen-three Shuffle, Apple made some design decisions I just can't understand.
First off, the old Shuffle was small enough. There's small--and then there's too small. Yeah, it's great that the gen-three Shuffle is the size of a small USB thumbdrive, but the smaller the device is, the easier it is to lose. I feel the same way about microSD memory cards. It's great that they're tiny, but they end up disappearing really easily whenever you take them out of your phone (or other device).
But the size thing is a minor infraction compared to what Apple did with the controls for this new Shuffle: it moved them to the cord of the headphones it bundles with the device (see video demo on this page). The only problem is I--and a lot of other people--simple can't use or don't like the earbuds that ship with iPods. We want to use our own headphones, particularly if we're using the Shuffle as an "active" MP3 player. The fact is the Apple buds just don't stay in your ears when you're running with the Shuffle (and yes, the new smaller form factor should appeal to runners).
As for the whole voice-over feature, it just seems like one of those "cool" innovations that isn't really necessary for a basic MP3 player--and I don't particularly want to hear a computerized voice in my ear announcing songs. In other words, I don't see it as a big selling point (the simpler thing to do would have been to just add a small display like competing entry-level models do). The generous 4GB of memory doesn't do much for me either, because without a display storing more than a few hundred songs on a Shuffle seems like overkill.
Now, Apple does say third-parties will be able to sell their own headphones that have the controls built-in as well as adapters that will allow you to use your own headphones with the new Shuffle. But that would just add another $15-$30 to the $79 price tag. So, thanks very much, Apple, but I'll stick with my second-generation Shuffle.
What do you guys think?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
Just wondering, does this mean that itunes now generates texts for every song and adds it as a music file to your shuffle.(As it will use the OS basic voices...). Well I hope that the 4th gen will have a wireless headset basic (including this kind of navigation) and the 5th gen will allow you to use voice search... ah well... dream...
The controls on the headphones are an absolute waste though. Now I can't use my Ultimate Ears earphones? =/. Perhaps opt for side-mounted controls. The idea of adding an LED to the player defeats the whole point of the shuffle though, as it increases the price point significantly once you do that.
Yeah, then people would have had to buy special headphones anyway, and would have complained endlessly about the cost of the OLED screen.
OLED screen would add a lot of cost, size, and be useless to someone who wants to control music without unclipping it, looking at it, trying to control the music then clip it up again. All while trying to run or exercise? You gotta be kidding!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with 4GB of memory now that you can sort through playlists! That's like saying a 120GB iPod is super-insane overkill! My biggest complaint of the 2G Shuffle was I had 2GB of memory but would never use it because I would never want to click through 5 albums by song to get to the album I want to hear. This new Shuffle actually makes the space usable!!
I'll give it to you that the headphone thing kinda stinks. A quick fix is to make it a 2 part cord so you can just plug in whatever headphones you want, but then Apple couldn't make money sell adapters. All in all, if you use it the way Apple envisions, the way I'll use it, it's amazing!
After all this is not the only iPod, people also said the first gen iPod was a disaster but it proved very popular. As to the size thing, I used to loose my first gen iPod in my bedroom, so being smaller is not going to make this and more or less of an issue than before.
If the headphones break they will probably be a good $39 or $49 just to replace! Not to mention if you want to use OTHER headphones...
Yikes.
This is one of the best things apple has come out with, ok, except the voiceover could be a better voice.
4GB in the smallest mp3 player ever? 1gb is the usual for a thumb drive sized player.
If it had an inbuilt earbud and it was decent then I would, as long as it's under $100
So yeah, we all noticed it just as fast as you did, don't worry.
Ladies and Gentleman: Presenting the future of Apple without Jobs...
How many months ago was the design finalized?
More than 2 I bet.
If you're (Apple) still clinging onto the "big thing" 3rd Gen. iPod Shuffle, re-read David Carnoy's review three more time. Thank you very much.
That said, Apple should provide a remote control attachment for the cord, which would be useful for other iPods as well.
I guess "dent" works as a substitution, but I agree with that eye roll you just had.
The 2nd Gen version is just about perfect for athletes, though, so I don't feel any compelling reason to upgrade and usually I want one of everything as soon as it comes out.
I remember using this stop/skip feature on a sony walkman TAPE player (from Japan) in 1989. I had one on a CD player. it' a great idea, but to make this the only way to control it is crazy.
Except for that cool apple logo, I guess.
I do listen to a lots of audio books and podcasts. Not sure if the voice feature will help much. My biggest issue with any shuffle is accidentally hitting a button and advancing through a long podcast or book.... loosing my place. Maybe the 3rd gen has a better bookmarking feature that helps with this problem? That might make me consider it I guess.
The multiple-click thing is less of a problem given that it's often easier to reach for your earbud cord than the iPod shuffle clipped to your pocket or bag. We'll see, though: I've ordered one!
I would be willing to bet we will see a pair of in-ear phones with in line controls for the shuffle come out very quickly, either by Apple or some after market company.
I use it at the gym. I have also used it for working outside. For me, the 2nd gen shuffle is the ultimate ipod for the gym, there is no alternative. I used the Touch at the gym a couple times and I won't do it again.
Luckily, my 2nd gen shuffle seems to be indestructible, so I won't have to replace it anytime soon.
- by sriggins March 11, 2009 12:13 PM PDT
- Disaster? What a overstatement. Some won't like it, but you need to choose better headlines or we'll stop reading your work. Don't be sensational; Just report.
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- by ubikk23 March 11, 2009 12:31 PM PDT
- hhaha. He got you to click on it didn't he? That's his job. In reality. reporters are paid for how many readers they pull in. Not how good their work is.
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- by oharag1111 March 12, 2009 6:23 AM PDT
- The author should have titled this article:
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Showing 1 of 4 pages (110 Comments)"The New iPod Shuffle is a Zune!"
BWhAhAHHAHAHHH!