Comments on: Photos: iPod Shuffle
New low-price music device has no display--it just shuffles through your tunes.
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In the flash market, the iPod Shuffle is limited by its battery. After just 12 hours you'll have to charge the device. The battery is built-in, so you won't be able to run to the corner store for a new one.* And when the battery reaches the end of its useful life, replacement won't be cheap.
People who want a standard battery and good battery life should consider Sony's NW-E99, which gives 50 hours of play from a single AAA battery. The device measures 2.25 x 1.50 x 0.59 inches, weighs about 2 ounces, has a screen (for those who like that), and now plays MP3 files directly (no more conversion to ATRAC3). Street price for this 1 GB model is $200.
Interestingly, the iPod Shuffle isn't the smallest and lightest MP3 player on the market.
People who want something even smaller should consider BenQ's Joybee 102, which measures 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches and weighs 0.35 ounces. At this size I can forgive the built-in 8-hour battery and the small 256 MB capacity. Street price is about $160.
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA
IPOD SHUFFLE
- 3.3 x 0.98 x 0.33 inches
- 1.07 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 0.78 ounces
- built-in rechargeable battery
- 12-hour battery life
- 1 GB model = $150
SONY NW-E55/75/95
- 2.25 x 1.50 x 0.59 inches
- 1.99 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 2 ounces
- standard AAA battery
- 50-hour battery life (for 128 kbps MP3 files, specifically)
- 1 GB model = $200
BENQ JOYBEE 102R
- 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.30 inches
- 0.90 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 0.35 ounces
- built-in rechargeable battery
- 8-hour battery life
- 256 MB model = $160
Specifications are from vendor Web pages or manuals, except volumes (in cubic inches), which I calculated from the dimensions. Prices are from various online retailers.
* I realize that an external battery case is available for the iPod Shuffle. The case accepts two AAA batteries, adding weight and bulk for just 20 hours' more play time.
everybody on their toes.
regular iPod. Oh, I do enjoy your objective comparisons, but
on this one you seem to have missed the popularity if iTunes
and the fact that plugging this in, works the same as any other
iPod. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you check
it out. The popularity of the iPod is not just style, its the perfect
blend of form and function.
In the flash market, the iPod Shuffle is limited by its battery. After just 12 hours you'll have to charge the device. The battery is built-in, so you won't be able to run to the corner store for a new one.* And when the battery reaches the end of its useful life, replacement won't be cheap.
People who want a standard battery and good battery life should consider Sony's NW-E99, which gives 50 hours of play from a single AAA battery. The device measures 2.25 x 1.50 x 0.59 inches, weighs about 2 ounces, has a screen (for those who like that), and now plays MP3 files directly (no more conversion to ATRAC3). Street price for this 1 GB model is $200.
Interestingly, the iPod Shuffle isn't the smallest and lightest MP3 player on the market.
People who want something even smaller should consider BenQ's Joybee 102, which measures 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches and weighs 0.35 ounces. At this size I can forgive the built-in 8-hour battery and the small 256 MB capacity. Street price is about $160.
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA
IPOD SHUFFLE
- 3.3 x 0.98 x 0.33 inches
- 1.07 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 0.78 ounces
- built-in rechargeable battery
- 12-hour battery life
- 1 GB model = $150
SONY NW-E55/75/95
- 2.25 x 1.50 x 0.59 inches
- 1.99 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 2 ounces
- standard AAA battery
- 50-hour battery life (for 128 kbps MP3 files, specifically)
- 1 GB model = $200
BENQ JOYBEE 102R
- 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.30 inches
- 0.90 cubic inches [calculated volume]
- 0.35 ounces
- built-in rechargeable battery
- 8-hour battery life
- 256 MB model = $160
Specifications are from vendor Web pages or manuals, except volumes (in cubic inches), which I calculated from the dimensions. Prices are from various online retailers.
* I realize that an external battery case is available for the iPod Shuffle. The case accepts two AAA batteries, adding weight and bulk for just 20 hours' more play time.
everybody on their toes.
regular iPod. Oh, I do enjoy your objective comparisons, but
on this one you seem to have missed the popularity if iTunes
and the fact that plugging this in, works the same as any other
iPod. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you check
it out. The popularity of the iPod is not just style, its the perfect
blend of form and function.
The same old Mac's suck story... yet you see company after
company copying whatever Apple does. What Apple's problem
really is is implementing their ideas... ie look at the Newton.
I cannot remember when an Apple product wasn't ridiculed... its
part of the process... make a product, great or not, and watch
the PC world follow.
This iPod shuffle... is it brilliant, probably not, but again they
take a chance on design and functionality... and if popular....
companies will start cloning.
The same old Mac's suck story... yet you see company after
company copying whatever Apple does. What Apple's problem
really is is implementing their ideas... ie look at the Newton.
I cannot remember when an Apple product wasn't ridiculed... its
part of the process... make a product, great or not, and watch
the PC world follow.
This iPod shuffle... is it brilliant, probably not, but again they
take a chance on design and functionality... and if popular....
companies will start cloning.
I dont think your enough of an audiophile to not regret spending $99 on a portable music player so you probably should stay away.
I dont think your enough of an audiophile to not regret spending $99 on a portable music player so you probably should stay away.
-- First point, if the device was designed to be that small and
function as an iPod, then u'd need a magnifying glass to read the
screen.
-- Second point, if you made it large enough to hold a screen,
you lose the basis for its design, and you start sucking up more
power.
-- Third point, this is an iPod, that holds far less songs than the
other iPods. That means you plug it in and quickly update what
you want on it. No muss, no fuss. The difference being it is
designed not to be used like a library, but simply a portable
player for what you want to listen at that time. If you want
different music, just plug the darn thing in again. It is NOT a
replacement for the other iPods.
-- Fourth Point. So far, the current iPod users I know, including
myself, have ordered one to use. Its small compact, and no
hassle when your are running, working out, etc. No need for a
belt clip, or arm band.
-- Fifth Point. If you want something else, gee, well get it.
-- First point, if the device was designed to be that small and
function as an iPod, then u'd need a magnifying glass to read the
screen.
-- Second point, if you made it large enough to hold a screen,
you lose the basis for its design, and you start sucking up more
power.
-- Third point, this is an iPod, that holds far less songs than the
other iPods. That means you plug it in and quickly update what
you want on it. No muss, no fuss. The difference being it is
designed not to be used like a library, but simply a portable
player for what you want to listen at that time. If you want
different music, just plug the darn thing in again. It is NOT a
replacement for the other iPods.
-- Fourth Point. So far, the current iPod users I know, including
myself, have ordered one to use. Its small compact, and no
hassle when your are running, working out, etc. No need for a
belt clip, or arm band.
-- Fifth Point. If you want something else, gee, well get it.
subject myself to being tangled up in cords all the time and
constantly fighting to keep earphones in place. So Apple, I'll be
impressed only when you solve these problems with a low-cost
wireless solution. Or better yet, build the player into the
headphones. The iPod shuffle is small enough for that. Then I'll
buy one.
subject myself to being tangled up in cords all the time and
constantly fighting to keep earphones in place. So Apple, I'll be
impressed only when you solve these problems with a low-cost
wireless solution. Or better yet, build the player into the
headphones. The iPod shuffle is small enough for that. Then I'll
buy one.
I have been an ipod owner for 3 years. My first was the 3g 20 GB and then I followed with the mini.
I have needed a good flash device to carry important documents and misc files, so the release of the shuffle is perfect due to its small size and USB access.
To me, music capability is just a brilliant addition to make the device even more useful.
If I just ?have to listen? to a specific song, I?ll get my 20GB. But I guarantee you this; I will always have my favorite albums and important files in my pocket, any time, any place.
So quit whining all you high maintenance ?I have just gotta have a screen? people! If you do not like it, don't buy it.
But at least appreciate the product for the niche that it fills.
Good job Apple!
I have been an ipod owner for 3 years. My first was the 3g 20 GB and then I followed with the mini.
I have needed a good flash device to carry important documents and misc files, so the release of the shuffle is perfect due to its small size and USB access.
To me, music capability is just a brilliant addition to make the device even more useful.
If I just ?have to listen? to a specific song, I?ll get my 20GB. But I guarantee you this; I will always have my favorite albums and important files in my pocket, any time, any place.
So quit whining all you high maintenance ?I have just gotta have a screen? people! If you do not like it, don't buy it.
But at least appreciate the product for the niche that it fills.
Good job Apple!
screen and there was no way I would buy one. Then I looked at
it another way. Its a 512 or 1gb thumb drive that has a free
mp3 player built in for a very little extra cost. Two devices in
one.
I'm now hanging out waiting for mine to arrive!
screen and there was no way I would buy one. Then I looked at
it another way. Its a 512 or 1gb thumb drive that has a free
mp3 player built in for a very little extra cost. Two devices in
one.
I'm now hanging out waiting for mine to arrive!
http://www.freeiPods.com/?r=9093773
A kid in my dorm got his ipod, totally free with no hidden charges. email me if you have any questions.
thanks alot, tom
you're in the middle of working out or excersizing, how often do
you fiddle with the screen of your iPod? Me personally, I like to
program it and let it go while I concentrate on my workout. I
don't need a screen. I just need a reliable player that can hold a
fair amount of songs and either play them straight through or
shuffle them.
I had bought a Mini last year for use at the gym and REALLY wish
the shuffle was out then. It would have saved me some money
and hassel. The shuffle is exactly what I was looking for in a
player to use at the gym.
Now that the shuffle is out, IMO, I don't see much need for the
iPod mini, really. The iPod mini is close to the original iPod in
price, but doesn't offer nearly as much storage space. And now
compared to the shuffle, the mini isn't the lightest and smallest
player on the block.
My choice: Shuffle for the gym, regular iPod for all else.
Austin
Shuffle, so I've experienced both in different situations, and my
opinion is based on this experience.
I'm sorry to see some of these negative posts from people who
probably have no experience with the product and are simply
posting assumptions.
- iPod Shuffle is great for the gym
- by January 27, 2005 12:02 PM PST
- iPod Shuffle is perfect for use in the gym and for running. When
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
-
- btw
- by January 27, 2005 12:07 PM PST
- And just to clarify my post... I own both the iPod mini and
- Like this
-
Showing 2 of 2 pages (64 Comments)you're in the middle of working out or excersizing, how often do
you fiddle with the screen of your iPod? Me personally, I like to
program it and let it go while I concentrate on my workout. I
don't need a screen. I just need a reliable player that can hold a
fair amount of songs and either play them straight through or
shuffle them.
I had bought a Mini last year for use at the gym and REALLY wish
the shuffle was out then. It would have saved me some money
and hassel. The shuffle is exactly what I was looking for in a
player to use at the gym.
Now that the shuffle is out, IMO, I don't see much need for the
iPod mini, really. The iPod mini is close to the original iPod in
price, but doesn't offer nearly as much storage space. And now
compared to the shuffle, the mini isn't the lightest and smallest
player on the block.
My choice: Shuffle for the gym, regular iPod for all else.
Austin
Shuffle, so I've experienced both in different situations, and my
opinion is based on this experience.
I'm sorry to see some of these negative posts from people who
probably have no experience with the product and are simply
posting assumptions.