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Apple Releases Smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle in Black and Silver

emaja said:
Way to be dismissive.

What about those of us with young children have been saving their allowance for months to get an iPod but the Apple earbuds are too large and uncomfortable for their 8 year olds? Now they have to get an adapter in order to use earbuds that fit or save for a few more months to get a nano that they do not need the capacity of.

I know it is not an essential purchase, but an 8 year old daughter saving $50 for this purchase was an accomplishment. Now she has to wait even longer, turning this into a possible negative lesson for her.
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Um, read the post much?: "The previous generation iPod shuffles remain available for purchase."
 
Finally an iPod my blind sister in-law might be able to use.

Hope VoiceOver comes to the rest of the product line and iPhone too!
 
jayducharme said:
Didn't the first Shuffle have no controls at all? You either listened to your playlists in a linear fashion or you shuffled them. That's why it was called a Shuffle. What it lacked in controls it made up for in price.

I don't see this new model as any different. You can still use whatever headphones you want and choose either linear or shuffle mode, just like before. But if you want more control, you either use Apple's headset (or a compatible 3rd-party one that will surely soon hit the market) or you buy a different iPod.
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The first generation shuffle DID have controls.
 
Proprietary earbuds on an iPod. Brilliant. :rolleyes: I detest the Apple earbuds, like someone else said, they hurt, they fall out and they fall apart. I certainly won't be buying an iPod that makes me use them.
 
Voiceover specs

Does this mean the return of the "Talking Moose?"

338229629_679faa86dc.jpg
 
cnorth3 said:
Um, read the post much?: "The previous generation iPod shuffles remain available for purchase."
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I just bought a silver 1gb refurb off Apple's web site for $29.00 + tax + free shipping. I literally ordered it on Monday afternoon and FedEx just delivered it. What about this for your little saver? Then he/she could even buy 20 songs for it!
 
jayducharme said:
Didn't the first Shuffle have no controls at all? You either listened to your playlists in a linear fashion or you shuffled them. That's why it was called a Shuffle. What it lacked in controls it made up for in price.

I don't see this new model as any different. You can still use whatever headphones you want and choose either linear or shuffle mode, just like before. But if you want more control, you either use Apple's headset (or a compatible 3rd-party one that will surely soon hit the market) or you buy a different iPod.
Click to expand...

You're a little confused.
The first gen iPod shuffle had navigation controls on it. Plus a built-in USB plug. Best design ever, far more versatile than this, admittedly nice metal-built, new one. You could expand it with extra battery packs, clips, lanyards etc.

ipod-shuffle.jpg
 
The Apple design team has truly jumped the shark on this one. As some have said, they took a design that worked extremely well and took away functionality.

What I don't understand is how the mini can have the same basic design for so long (presumably because the form factor is the most effective) and the most efficient and effective shuffle ever merits a redesign.

The shuffle has a clip. They market(ed?) it as an exposed device. How much easier is it to use a headphone remote to control a device that should already be easily accessible?

I really hope this is not a trend of design for the sake of design. I understand that as a company Apple needs to keep innovating, but there are some times when a product deserves design stability simply because it's great at what it does. If this is a trend, I fear that 1) All iPods will eventually require apple headphones, or an expensive adapter, 2) much of the hardware we enjoy will receive redesigns that ultimately remove functionality (e.g. MBP matte screen issue).

I understand the need to live up to the slogan "Think Different", but I'd hate to see that overpower the phrase I so often hear associated with Apple: "It just works."
 
j5045096 said:
Will that USB cord work for the last generation shuffle? That'd be awesome to not have to carry the dock around when I use my shuffle as a thumb drive.
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Apparently not. Another blunder, cheers Apple :rolleyes:
Face it - the current shuffles suck as USB drives.
 
Am I being a bit thick here ... why do you need a voice telling you what track your listening too when its plainly obvious (they're called ears!)

Next they'll be having a sign that says 'Read This' and you read it and it says 'You're now reading this' .... the power of the iPod!!!!!

Style over substance as usual Apple - I'll just chuck my £50 bose headphones shall I?
 
The biggest problem

The biggest problem I have with the new stuff is the rectangular volume control/mic. It gets caught on my shirt, jacket, coat, seat belt, whatever...

You would think that a company that prides itself on 'forward thinking', 'thinking different', etc, would have realized that having a 'dohicky' with square ends on something that is supposed to slide across the body isn't a fantastic idea...

Are there any aftermarket earbuds/ear phones that aren't infuriating like Apple's brick shapped volume control? Well, and are as comfortable? Even the 'new-ish' in-ear ones are a pain...

And I hope that the talking thing can be killed/turned off...
 
Not with people who actually use the shuffle for it's best use....working out/running/biking/hiking. That requires headphones that actually stay in your ears while moving around.
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They stay in my ears no problem at all.
 
CharmCty said:
The Apple design team has truly jumped the shark on this one. As some have said, they took a design that worked extremely well and took away functionality.

What I don't understand is how the mini can have the same basic design for so long (presumably because the form factor is the most effective) and the most efficient and effective shuffle ever merits a redesign.

The shuffle has a clip. They market(ed?) it as an exposed device. How much easier is it to use a headphone remote to control a device that should already be easily accessible?

I really hope this is not a trend of design for the sake of design. I understand that as a company Apple needs to keep innovating, but there are some times when a product deserves design stability simply because it's great at what it does. If this is a trend, I fear that 1) All iPods will eventually require apple headphones, or an expensive adapter, 2) much of the hardware we enjoy will receive redesigns that ultimately remove functionality (e.g. MBP matte screen issue).

I understand the need to live up to the slogan "Think Different", but I'd hate to see that overpower the phrase I so often hear associated with Apple: "It just works."
Click to expand...


Grab the biggest slice of the market (iPod), tie everyone in (iPod + iTunes), make it difficult for anyone to migrate elsewhere! The buggers have you ... iTunes rocks ... its just now you're tied in you have little choice!

Apple's turning evil!
 
well as long as other iPods have controlls on the player, the new shuffle is fine. I hope they sell a headphone addapter to put your own headphones in so you can control them. I need my sennheisers! But the shuffle is not really in my market anyways, so no biggy.
 
drlunanerd said:
Apparently not. Another blunder, cheers Apple :rolleyes:
Face it - the current shuffles suck as USB drives.
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My first iPod was a 512 white shuffle (1st gen) and I loved that thing. ...especially since it made an awesome thumb drive. You're right - the newer ones don't really fit the bill of a good usb drive, but it's an iPod first I guess.
 
mambodancer said:
Finally an iPod my blind sister in-law might be able to use.

Hope VoiceOver comes to the rest of the product line and iPhone too!
Click to expand...

It's already available in the iPod nano with "spoken menus". I imagine with iTunes 8.1 it will be further improved to match the new shuffle.
 
Beric said:
This is BAD. No controls on the device? I refuse to subject myself to Apple's low-quality earbuds.
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Resistance is Futile.

You will buy an $80 splinter of aluminum. Sure, this design could have FIT in a pair of headphones, but you need that long white cable and earbuds to let all your friends know you're at Apple's full command.

I can't wait till VoiceOver not only speaks, but talks back and TELLS you what you SHOULD be listening to. You'll choose Beck and The Jobs will tell you to listen to Franz Ferdinand because it is perfect.

"You have choosen 'Earthquake Weather'. I will now play 'No You Girls' while rerouting the synapses in your brain. Think Different."
 
those white never fit in my ear - I need over the ear headphones. I guess if I ever want this I need to wait for a bulky ugly adapter to get released.
 
j5045096 said:
My first iPod was a 512 white shuffle (1st gen) and I loved that thing. ...especially since it made an awesome thumb drive. You're right - the newer ones don't really fit the bill of a good usb drive, but it's an iPod first I guess.
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Yeah, I still use my 1GB first gen.
Just thought, I may crack her open and solder a bigger NAND flash chip in there :eek:
 
Jeez...does everyone want cheese with their wine? The older models are still available. If you want a new one, buy that. If you want the older one, buy that.

Yes the price is similar but that is just the way things are. I think its an interesting concept, but Im not buying.
 
Well, "VoiceOver" technology can be a 'funny' new feature (although I don't see so much useful),... but FORCE US TO USE THEIR EARPHONES WITH REMOTE CONTROL IS SO MUCH! :mad:

Did you check the price of them? They cost 29$!!!! :eek:

So, I think that you will have to take more care of the earphones that of the iPod Shuffle itself. :confused:

(Fortunately, I am very happy with the form factor of the 2GB iPod Shuffle 2gen,... and with its 2 extra battery hours) :D
 
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