Comments on: Stop complaining about the new iPod Shuffle

Some people are unhappy that Apple released the new iPod Shuffle with its controls on the earbud cord. But put the extra dongle cost into perspective.

[myles taylor]

Don, I'm impressed. Finally you say something I can get behind. People aren't even giving this new shuffle a chance. Hold your criticism and comments until you actually try the product or hear from people who do.

[johnsbrn1]

Are you serious? The outcry is because the "extra dongle" is already included in the $79 price, but it's hardwired to the included headphones. Apple then forces you to buy a second dongle with a standard headphone jack on it that you can plug other headphones into. Why not ship it with headphones that plug into the dongle that is already included instead of hardwiring it? The reason? Apple knows their headphones suck so they can draw you in with the cheap price tag knowing most people will buy the extra dongle after they try the crappy headphones. I like Apple products, but I hate their marketing department. The might Microsoft look honest.

[ofmyony]

I bet by June or July they redesign the Shuffle. This is only an experiment to see what they can get away with. I think most consumers like the clicker itself they just don't like not having controls on the player. It would be much nicer if it could also be voice controlled. Say next for next track or previous for previous track or Playlist for a list of playlist or Artist to find a particular artist or Song for a certain song. I don't mind the inline clicker but they need to offer more than an inline clicker, they need voice commands.

Apple already makes earbuds with a mic just use the earbuds off the Iphone and create software to allow voice activation on the new Shuffle and boom you got a killer combo.

If they did this I might even buy one and I thought I would never do that. Apple should have done better, this was an opportunity missed by the most innovative company in the world.

[emeshuris1]

The iPod Shuffle is a completely control-less device, the play, pause, volume, next and back functionality has been rolled into the headphone cord. I believe the outcry is not over the extra $20, its about the way you have to control the device. One must use a bevy of clicks and holds on the button located on the dongle. The instructions look like morse code.

[Perry_Clease]

The NEW iPod Shuffle "is a completely control-less device" the older model Shuffle is still for sale.

[ducttape36]

agreed. i mean look at their instructions!
Play Click the Center button once Blinks green once
Pause Click the Center button once Blinks green for 30 seconds
Fast-forward Double-click and hold the Center button. Blinks green once
Rewind Triple-click and hold the Center button. Blinks green once
Change the volume Click the Volume Up (+) or Volume Down (-) button to increase or decrease the volume. Click and hold to change the volume quickly. You hear a tone when you change the volume while iPod shuffle is paused. Blinks green for each volume increment
Blinks orange three times when the upper or lower volume limit is reached
Hear song title and artist names Click and hold the Center button. Blinks green once
Go to the next track (or audiobook chapter) Double-click the Center button Blinks green once
Go to the previous track (or audiobook chapter) Triple-click the Center button within 6 seconds of the track starting. To restart the current track, triple-click after 6 seconds. Blinks green once
Switch playlists
1. Click the Center button until you hear a tone, and then release to swith the playlist menu. You'll hear the current playlist, all songs, and then remaining playlists in alphabetical order followed by audiobooks and podcasts.
You can click + or - to move quickly through the playlist menu.
2. When you hear the name of the playlist you want, click to select it.
Blinks green once
Exit the playlist menu Click and hold the Center button. Blinks green once

ok i get that some people can live without a screen apple, but controls?! plus when youre jogging youre going to have the headphone controller swinging around possibly pulling the ear buds out of your ears. this time apple went way too far with design and left ease of use in the dust.

[skillingssucks]

Epic fail on Apple's part.

[The_happy_switcher]

I bet you feel really cool saying 'epic faii' in a posting huh? You are an original, don't stop being a rebel. lol

so true apple has good stuf but this new shuffle sycks the big one :0 sry apple, i have an itouch n love it except for the battery life with the backlight all the way up and no easy way to use an on network proxyserver

[protagonistic]

You were probably also one of those who predicted the failure of the original iPod and the iPhone, right? :-)

[docster87]

Let me get this straight - people are upset that their $99 special earphones won't function out-of-the-box with the new "low-end" ipod???? WHAT? Are they serious? Do your earbuds really need to cost more than the mp3 unit? I doubt that was Apple's target audience. Also, let me say that Apple wanted to try something different (not first time, not last time) by making an ipod with no controls on the item. If you don't like it - well, no one will force you to buy it!

But others will likely copy Apple by doing similar low-end mp3 players (without controls) anyway. Get used to it. Go spend double the price for a nano so that your expensive earbuds function without the need of a cheap adapter.

[skillingssucks]

I love how monkeys can't even admit Apple sometimes has bad ideas. Look over the history of posts, you mistakes of nature and look how many times I've defended Apple. Get lost, you prepubescent little boys.

[ckurowic]

Epically stated.

[wolfpacker1993]

applerocks1963, your such a typical apple fanboy, making fun of a person just because their opinion collides with yours... i agree apple screwed up with this one...after all the point of a successful product is not to be viewed good by the rich executives who designed and sell it but rather, to be viewed good by us "poor" general public who would be buying/using it!

[hornerea]

Actually, the answer to your question in the middle is YES I am going to go out and buy a non-IPOD of any type. Almost all of them cheaper with the same capacity. And they come with screens. And they hook up to iTunes. But.... why would I want to hook up to iTunes anyway?

[G_Slade]

Couldn't have put it better myself. You can get a 4 gig sansa clip for $49 on amazon. the only people who are going to fork out for the new shuffle are either apple fanboys/girls or people who are more worried about how their device looks rather than how much it costs and functions. although i suppose you could say the same for all apple products.

[fleurya]

Yeah, because people never buy something based on looks. Oh, except for pretty much EVERYTHING!!!!! Unless I'm mistaken and everyone is driving around in Toyotas.

[markla25]

well actually YES you are mistaken and everyone IS driving around in Toyotas. i mean hell they're only the biggest automaker in the world! (sales, profit, net worth etc.).. what does any of this have to do with apple trying to make even more money i don't know. what a boorish article, i mean even if it is ONLY $20, it's still a completely shameless cash grab.

[Sam Papelbon]

seriously? people would buy this new shuffle because of looks? you have to be joking. this thing looks like a little plastic stick with rounded edges. not even paris would say that's hot. sansa e280 has double the capacity, a screen, on-player controls, removable battery, fm tuner/recorder, video support, picture support, AND a microsd slot if you want a few more gigglebites.

oh right, and it's a heck of a lot sexier than this little plastic bic lighter wannabe.

[wolfpacker1993]

get a zune dude....once you go zune you never go back! lol.

[haub123]

you don't need an Ipod for Itunes compatibility anymore, so yes, you can pay for another MP3 player and use your headphones that you probably spent a good deal of money on if it is that big of a deal to use them. I like most of your posts Don, but not this one.

[DYMongoose]

Agreed.

[sanjayb]

Sorry Don but no sale. This design of the Shuffle makes it look like a total cash grab for Apple.

[clintbradford]

Cash grab? Yeah, I am sure Apple's making a bundle of cash on a $79 retail product.

[Aquasol]

"Cash grab? Yeah, I am sure Apple's making a bundle of cash on a $79 retail product."

And Nintendo survived on the Gamecube's $99 price tag, since they were actually able to make profit off of it.

Higher price != greater cash intake.

[Murray_Williams]

In my opinion it isn't the cost that is the failure of this product. It is that I have to attach anything at all in order to control the unit. I own 2 iPods, an iPhone, an iMac, and a MacBook. I like Apple products. This shuffle however is an epic fail. Sorry Apple, this product proves that one step beyond genius is insanity. Maybe it's time to take a walk on the beach and get some fresh air.

[fleurya]

I'm also behind everyone's complaint about the controls. I think there is a big enough outcry and an easy enough solution (package a 2-part cord with the Shuffle) that Apple will eventually have a little do-over and include the dongle they're planning to sell in with the regular headphones they already have. That would pretty much solve almost all of the complaints and probably double sales. My adivce: if you want one, wait for Apple to crunch the numbers and figure out they're better off making this change.

[XiroMisho]

At what point has apple ever done a do-over?

[fleurya]

Well, I never actually said they did one before, but since you asked: Changing the pricing on the iPhone. Deciding not to charge for upgrades on the iPhone (Sorry Touch owners, you didn't get that one) That's what I have off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more.

[youngjm]

This is marketing genius on Apple's part. What is the most recognizable thing on the iPod/iPhone lines? The white headphones! If it is harder to use third party headphones without additional cost who wins? Apple - You will see a sea of white in peoples ears for those who can get by with the standard headphones....

yah shure i guess but they get uncomfortable after prolonged listening n skull candy is soo much beter

[jinx101a]

I have a friend who decried my USB MP3 player as not having enougn functionality but then called the iPod Shuffle elegant and simplistic when it has next to NO functionality. Marketers salivate over guys like him. ;P

This shuffle is a fail. I'm sorry, but it's just another example of Apple nickel and diming it's customers. Heck, I can't even plug in my iPod Touch to the wall to charge it when I'm traveling unless I lug my laptop with me or puchase an adapter to plug it into an electrical outlet. With sub par battery life, those charges need to happen more often than not. ;P

Why would I want the controls on the head phones anyway? It's easy to use contrls on the device, it's a pain to use them on the head phone wire that's always moving around. Apple missed the mark on this one.

[Get_a_life_Leo]

Whether Apple sells a million of these or 50,000 is actually irrelevant. It neither makes or breaks the company. Instead, it provides a low-end solution for people who want an iPod or who use iTunes as their music juke box (and this is the real demographic). This isn't a money grab, it's simply consolidation. There will be great third party headphones and everyone will be happy except for the pundits who make a living claiming that Apple is doomed.

[Kev_Orng]

I don't mind it; For what I use my shuffle for (the gym and garden work), I can use the earbuds that come with it. I'll use my fancy headphones with my other iPod. I'm frankly more worried about what happens if the stock earbuds get damaged. Now I have to go out and buy stuff to make it usable again, I can't just go dig out another pair of earbuds or headphones.

[Stormspace]

Apple sells it's standard earbuds for $30.00. Think these will be less?

[Perry_Clease]

"Apple sells it's standard earbuds for $30.00. Think these will be less?"

$29 for the new earbuds with inline controls

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB770G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Ng&mco=MjE0NDgxMg

For those of you who complain that the standard buds fall out too easily then you can get in-ear model, with inline controls for $79

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA850G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Ng&mco=MzE3NTU2MA

[arizona_kimbo]

I think Don's article misses the point entirely. Most people buy a Shuffle because they want a lightweight MP3 player for exercising. The fact that you have to purchase a dongle in order to use your existing third-party headphones will add extra bulk to the device, completely defeating the purpose of buying a Shuffle in the first place.

Steve Jobs may hate buttons, but the design of the 3rd gen Shuffle takes this hatred to a ridiculous new level. FAIL.

[TimK65]

"From a business perspective, this move makes perfect sense."

Of course it does, when you recall that "from a business perspective" translates as "if you don't give one runny sh*t about your customers."

[aMUSICsite]

I for one think Apple has done the right thing and it's a good move, good to see a positive review at last. After all if you don't like it, it's not for you. It's for people like me who think smaller is better and will use the apple headphones without breaking them. I still have my hearphones from the original shuffle, which people also said was a silly idea, and both the shuffle and headphones still work great.

fail

[ZenithProsperity]

I agree with you AMUSICsite. I for one like the new shuffle. It's so small (I think it's cute). I'm still contemplating if I'm going to get one (when I get a new job and apple releases a blue one... hopefully). I just think, if you don't like it, simply don't buy it. When I don't like a product many people like, I give my opinion, but I don't call it "an epic fail". I just say it's not for me, or something.

[artstate]

i really do not see any reason to create a big hype about this new shuffle. really, it's just like the old one. the "talking" feature isn't really a NEW feature (apple advertises it as the first mp3 player that talks) when there have been some other similar things in the past; it's just making up for the fact that there is no screen. And is the smaller size really THAT important? i cannot think of a time where something maybe 3 times larger could be inconvenient, at least u'll get a screen and therefore will be able to chose a song depending on your mood when you want. finally, you cannot deny that apple has a tendency to restrict users to using apple products..

[reidjazz]

Folks, if you don't like the new shuffle, then don't buy one. Quit your whining and do something productive.

[The_happy_switcher]

Absolutely right, reidjazz. The worldwide Zune holders club (6 total) have come here to whine.

[Perry_Clease]

Yes, they could buy the old Shuffle which is still for sale

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_shuffle_2gen?mco=MTYzNDU2Mg

[XiroMisho]

despite the cunning class of skillingssucks I'd have to agree with reidjazz - you're not being forced to purchase this device, if you dislike it, don't get it. I hate the new apple laptops, and thus I bought a nice Asus laptop of great power and lesser cost, which is running perfectly... so go buy an actual iPod if the shuffle infuriates you that much.

[bigbluebeetle]

The point here isn't that we can just buy a different player. It's that the low-end apple player has been unnecessarily crippled, for no obvious benefit. And buying the older shuffle doesn't help because, even if you find the 2gb version, you still have only half the capacity. Pure money-grubbing move on apple's part.

[Jlmc727]

Gotta love Apple drones when someone complians about a design or function of an Apple product they must be in bed with Microsoft. I use the best most functional product for the price, weather its Apple, Microsoft, Creative, or whatever I want the most I can get for my dollar.

[Techie_Jr]

Uh, this is a site about technology... right? People have the right to voice their opinions whether they like something or not. I think you're just bothered because you are another Appleheaded lemming who only wants the world to sing praises to a company who thinks it can do no wrong.

If you want everyone to sing and hold hands got to www.imawuss.com

[B-Ri]

Sorry Don but the big deal here is that they are selling an mp3 player with no controls on it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who hates those earbuds that come with ipods and have replaced them on every one I've ever bought. But with this they have limited the choice of their users. It's great that they have the dongle but it is exactly like the whole iPhone jack debacle. Why can't they include the dongle? Why charge an extra 20 for something that should be included. I guess we don't need to worry, I'm sure they'll put out another new one in 6months or a year.

so true the ipod headphones work for a while and than they doe or you just h8 them cuz they are irritating if anything to all those people out there who are good with a soldering iron and want your own head phones without the extra 20.00$$$ cut the wires just past the controls and solder them to the wires of your favorite pair of headphones no genius required!!! and no im not defending the shuffle i could care less abt it but my friends are complaining and this is wut i told them :)

[TimGray--2008]

When did $99.00 become expensive for a 4gig Ipod?

When you can buy a better mp3 player with 8gig in it for $99.00 that has the innovation of the controls on the unit. The other ipods get better screens so you gain an advantage by upgrading, this new one is a downgrade compared to the last shuffle.

Honestly it's a bone-headed move. Apple is not amazing in everything they do.

[Viceroyofllg]

Don, glad to see some good economic sense thrown into the mix. I have a similar take: I might not want to shell out for the Nano, so paying an extra $20 for that dongle is simply a sunk cost. But given the lifespan of this type of electronic gadget (my first gen Ipod nano is still kicking), the cost/benefit ratio of that cost over time makes sense. And lets be honest, you're correct in predicting that allowing third party companies to manufacture in an economic downswing is important for business in general. For some consumers, its going to be a good investment, and for those who aren't interested, I'm sure they can find something that fits their $79 - $99 range better.