Check it out, there’s a new iPod shuffle. Now with 4GB, a smaller size and controls that are located on the earbuds instead of the player. One cool new feature is called VoiceOver. At the touch of a button, a voice will tell you the name of the song and the artist. Pretty cool! You can get one for $79.
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Looks good. I can add it to my ipod collection…is that bad? that I have an Ipod collection? haha
I would like to try out that voiceover software. I really don’t organize my music titles so I want to see how it handles reading jibberjabber.
One thing that I have read from other sites and I have noticed is the fact that the controls are not on the shuffle itself, but on the earphones. I would love to see how this would affect the use of personal earphones. Will it render the shuffle useless? or do we have to accessorize our shuffle with another add on to play our music?
Other than that I am have to look into getting the black one!!
I agree, very tempting (& I too would be adding to my already too large iPod collection). I hope Apple has engineered it to ‘just play’ when earbuds w/o controls are inserted.
So, for $79, you are buying a memory stick and some headphones that negate any chance of you using “better fitting” aftermarket headphones.
…genious!
Gosh..they really screwed this one up with those inline controls. There goes the idea of using bose headphones.
Apple really pisses me off…and yet…I want one so bad…lol
i poersonally think that the new shuffle is a bad idea
Apple is like a new president: what they do pleases some, pisses off others. But at least they keep trying.
I read on another website that an adapter (yay for spending more money) will be available for other headphones, which gives you the controls.
@Seahorse:
Thats a shame though. And knowing Apple it will be $39 for the adapter.
If memory serves me correctly, the 1st – 3rd gen ipods came with an extended cord that you could control your ipod with, without having to take out the ipod. I think but dont quote me on that! haha
Wont buy a Shuffle that requires me to use Apple’s stock earbuds. They do not stay in my ears.
I will also not buy an adapter, as that makes the cable between the Shuffle and headphones that much longer. That and the added cost of an adapter.
This is a ‘skip’ for me.
A lot of higher end headphones have the little connector already. I guess this is Apple’s way of forcing aftermarket suppliers to go this way. All current iPods now support the extra pin in the headphone jack now.
Kind of like disabling firewire data a few generations back, and with the past generation removing firewire charging. It sucks for me because my iTouch won’t charge with my brand new Pioneer headunit. Of course I can spend $30 on an adapter, but to me it is asinine to buy another piece of gear that fixes something that should have never broken.
Same with this; why should I have to buy an adapter so I can control my iPod that has no controls on the device??!! What if I lose the pack-ins on a trip somewhere. I know Steve Jobs hates buttons, but there is a limit to it. Is this thing a joke?
It looks like Klipsch will be the first manufacturer to have headphones that are compatible with the new shuffle. All for $100. It is about $20 more than the shuffle itself. Please Apple, just let me use the headphones that I have at home. 🙁
Lets see if I understand this new product –
1) It does not have enough memory to hold a significant number of CDs.
2) It is totally useless if you want to play an entire CD since you can not scroll through CDs
3) You are required to generate playlists if you want to use the device
4) You can’t use the headphones that you currently use, even if you spent significant bucks for them.
Doesn’t anyone see a problem with this device or are you all people who will buy anything that Apple makes?
DON
At first I really didn’t like it but now this little player is growing on me. I’m considering it as a replacement for my iPod Touch when jogging. I already have the in Apple in ear headphones (with remote) so the included ones are no big deal. 4 gigs is plenty for jogging (That’s 40 hours of music!)
Has anybody tried it with audio books and podcasts? Is there a way that you can partially fast forward through a track if it is 2-3 hours long?
Not every iPod is the same 🙂 The shuffles are designed to be small, lightweight and cheap. Before I got the iPhone 3G I had one of the second generation (2GB) shuffles with a few of my favourite CD’s on it. I tend to spend a few weeks listening to a few CD’s over and over so that works fine for me. I just kept it stuffed in a pocket so I always had some music and didn’t have to remember to take my larger iPod every time I went out for a walk. They are also good for kids to take to school. If they get lost or stolen it’s not as big a cost as losing an iPod touch. If you need more features there are iPods with more features.
Michael
@Michael Murray,
I like your point and I also agree with you. I have had my share of ipods, including the first gum pack shuffle and the 2nd gen shuffle. Both were great to use while at the gym or working out or like you said giving it to the kids. I guess most people who saw the new shuffle thought about convenience. I, for one, do not mind the included headphones that apple provides. However, when I work out or if I do a lot of outdoor activities I would prefer a headset that won’t fall out of my ears every time I turn my head. If I wanted a cheap ipod, I would clearly purchase this shuffle, but what good will it do me if I have to stop my physical activities every 2 mins to pop the included headphones in my ear(s). That is my take on the subject. If my gf didn’t put a banned on my from buying new stuff, I would get this shuffle and add it to my collection. Maybe one day!! haha
I tried to edit my comment above but I do not see a way. Just an FYI.
I just read on another blog, not sure if I can name it so I won’t for now, that said the Apple shuffle can only work with headphones that have a “special hardware identification chip.” What this means? Apple requires 3rd parties to purchase a license from Apple to be allowed to insert this “chip” into the 3rd party headphones for it to work. So I guess there will not be any cheap headphones for this shuffle in the near future. Sorry for posting a lot about this.
I think we are missing the point here, the new shuffle is most likely being marketed to 1). new users 2). younger users who don’t care about the headphones they care about the buzz of the product. While I would personally pass on this I am sure the Apple media machine will hype it up to be the new now product but I will wait for a motion controlled shuffle so I can shake it to shuffle my songs…
Guess I only have a few months to buy the old Shuffle since I don’t want to have to buy new earphones.