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.

[XiroMisho]

Yeah, why complain about the new shuffle? I've hated the idea of the shuffle since conception - I'd rather have a sansa, at least it lets me SEE the song's I'm playing.

But that's personal preference, I'm not the nano's market at all! I prefer a full powered iPod that I can carry my entire music library on without any fear of loosing space. The nano is the polar opposite of what I use and desire... then again the iPod is about the only Apple product I don't spit on so the shuffle should at least feel happy I like it's big brother, and under stand it because I respect him.

[Norseman]

I'll hold my opinion for a month or so--until some (theoretically) unbiased reviews have been written. In the meanwhile, my first impression is that using a sense other than sight to control a tiny device is a rather clever solution. Having access to playlists on a shuffle is something new in G3, and is a very desirable feature. It also seems that having the controls where they are on the headphone cord would be easier to use than a dongle that's attached to the device. I use the headphone control on the iPhone, and find it very convenient.

[cggkevin]

I'll stick with my gen1 shuffle until it no longer holds a charge. Wirh regular USB and headphone connectors I can charge and sync without having to have the dock cable of the gen2 shuffle. the gen2 would have been perfect had they used a standard usb connector. Not sure what my next player will be but it's not looking like it will be an iPod.

[KevLeviathan]

I have two big problems with this shuffle: the headphone thing is silly, requiring an adapter. You covered your opinion in this article, I disagree.

The other big problem: controls. I'd rather have the controls on the player itself rather than have to push the button three times and hold in order to fast forward. They've taken something that was intuitive and replaced it with an unnecessarily complex button-pressing-voice-reading system that I just think is dumb. Apple's conquest against buttons has resulted in a product that sacrifices usability for aesthetics in a big, bad way.

[The_happy_switcher]

...so don't buy one. Was that so hard? There are 99 people who WILL buy one for every one that thinks like you.

[dnrlt1]

I'm sure that there are plenty of Zunes out there for all the whiners!

[hermantf]

I totally disagree with you on this one Don.

I understand that from a business perspective, this makes sense because it forces consumers to buy yet more iPod accessories. But from a consumer standpoint, I hate it. And I'm really not liking the direction that Apple is moving in with the whole "Let's make buttons obsolete."

How can no controls on an iPod be a good thing??? How can spending more money on a dongle be better for consumers, not to mention the inconvenience of a dongle??? That and I really hate the word "dongle!"

It totally sucks.

[nonicks]

BIASED...

duh

[DYMongoose]

And you're biased for calling Don biased.

FACT: every human being has a bias.

[LenChase10]

I can't see the value of a shuffle anymore. 4GB of songs without a screen is crazy. An MP3 player smaller than the case used to hold it is crazy. A player that can be rendered useless because you damaged the headphones (or controller) is crazy! So many other companies have gotten the <$100 player right, but get no credit. I am hoping the next gen is better.

[Zippy-T-Pinhead]

Wow. What a friggin cranky bunch of whiners. I have the current clip-on shuffle and loved it but bought the new one yesterday. I also have an iPhone, but don't use it much for music (videos, yes). I have the V-Moda headphones for my iPhone with the inline controls. I for one am happy the shuffle will have the inline controls. While I didn't mind controlling my current shuffle while clipped to my pocket, in the winter when it was under my coat, that became a little trickier. New Shuffle - problem solved.

And since I never liked Apple headphones, I'll just wait for the new Scosche headphones to come out and replace them - much like I did with V-Moda for my iPhone. So, no, I'm not spending $20 on the dongle. I'll spend $100 on better headphones.

And I'll still keep my other shuffle because I have an H2O waterproof case and headphones that were specifically designed for it to use when I'm windsurfing.

And for those of you that are so friggin cost conscious, by a Sansa Clip and get over yourself.

[Conficio]

Don, consider the case if your head phone breaks. What now. You are forced to buy the high priced Nano head phones instead of being free to buy the best headphones on the market. Because they extra $20 make it prohibitively expensive to choose other than Apple original.

Would you buy a car where the key entry system is incorporated in the wheels?

I hope consumers are not that short sighted to buy such "vendor lock in", but this is Apple and we need an excuse for any type of Abuse, don't we?

[thescale]

I'll stop complaining about it, if you stop being lame in all your posts.

"No one is forcing you to use third-party headphones, and even if you want to have that luxury, you're still saving quite a bit by not buying a Nano.

With or without that extra dongle, the iPod Shuffle is still a great deal."

Are you serious?

[dogmo1001]

I, for one, am getting tired of shameless shillery masquerading as tech reporting.

[gsmiller88]

The only problem I have with the Shuffle's controls being on the earbuds is the fact that the redesigned earbuds are so tiny and can't stay in my ears. With my last gen Shuffle I have to use my 5th gen Video iPod earbuds because the newer ones keep falling out. Apple, design better earbuds!

[clintbradford]

I don't think audiophiles (over-simply defined as those with extremely critical ears and $200+ earpieces) are the target market for the new Shuffle. Newcomers to the iTunes market, those who demand owning the newest, and general purpose listeners are going to enjoy it.

[ballssalty]

Why not just sell the shuffle without headphones but with the adapter!

[gerrygadget]

If you don't like the new Shuffle, I suggest the Sansa Clip. Costs less, uses regular USB cables, has a screen, has radio and voice recording. If you are a Windows user and already use iTunes, go get iTurns to convert your music to MP3, then download MediaMonkey to manage the music and buy your tunes from Amazon. You can also google a replacement LAME encorder for it (all you need is the .dll) to rip CDs to MP3. iTunes has a few perks in being all-in-one, but the extra cost and proprietary hassles aren't worth it, IMO, but some folks don't mind.

[jakebala]

Your saying that it's great business sense to force people to buy an add-on so that they can use their device. Of course it's great business. It would be like Microsoft making an Xbox 360 that doesn't have a controller in the box and therefore they make 50 bucks extra.

If we're also talking business this is retarded. You are using your brand loyalty to swindle customers. The thing is, I have to pay an extra 20 bucks just to use the device I already bought. It's like buying a car and then having to pay for the car company to take a boot off of it so you can drive it off the property. There will come a time when people say F you to apple for shipping a product that is incomplete. I mean, the only purpose of a shuffle is to listen to music and by forcing customers to buy a dongle to use their own headphones just so they can change the volume and change songs is ridiculous.

And if we're comparing this to the nano that's a different story. Great, I spent 70 bucks less for less storage and no screen. What's the point in that?

You may say it's great business sense to offer great value to customers at first then slowly as everyone uses the device to take value away but since when has it changed that the point of making products is to serve the customer and make money? Case in point above is the ipod 2nd gen came with a block to charge in the wall and a leather case. nowadays you buy an ipod classic and it comes with a usb cable. Forcing customers to buy the block for 20 bucks and buy a case for 30 bucks. It's ok to do stuff like that if you bring the price down, but it's not ok if you're using success to nickle and dime your customers.

[Perry_Clease]

Settle down, I am Shure that that other businesses will soon be selling inline control earbuds. The iPod series has made a lot of money for Apple, but it also made a lot of money for those creating 3rd party accessories.

Future iPhones, ones larger in size than the Shuffle, will probably have inline and click wheel controls. Having the controls easy to access by reaching up to your collar bone would be a nice option.

[planblove]

Between my wife and I we own two 5th gen iPods and a 2nd gen 16gb ipod touch and we also think this shuffle is an "epic fail". Not only is the whole dongle thing an issue for us, but $99 for 4gb of storage and "the use of my own headphones" is CRAZY. Seeing how iTunes can be used with other mp3 players, there are many other better options at the $99 mark I'd choose before choosing this model. Its just not worth it. For those who just have to have a shuffle I'd stick to the present gen model or upgrade to the nano.

[spencerfalco]

My goodness what a furor! Personally I like the new design. As a runner I am often fumbling with my current shuffle, turning the volume up or down and advancing to another song. I like the idea of having that control on the headphones instead of trying to find your pod. Theoretically you can stow the pod in your backback, shorts, pocket, or whatever and never have to touch it, controlling everything from the headphone cord.
Will I buy one? No, not right away. I have the shuffle and the ipod video, I don't need a third ipod, but I sure do want one.

[JetpackJesus]

My problem with the controls on the cord is I wouldl have a much more difficult time finding the control dongle on the cord than I would the player itself (I wouldn't have it in a backpack though). This is especially true this time of year when I likely have a jacket on over the headphone cord. This would be nearly useless to me. The only time I could see this being beneficial would be on an airplane, but then I would have my video iPod, not my portable player I use for exercise and running.