Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Releases Smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle in Black and Silver
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Where did the buttons go? Somehow, I feel like losing the iconic white circle was not a smart move on their part, even though they pulled it off with the touch. Now it really looks like a stick of gum (albeit, an awful flavor of grey or black).
People may not want to be forced to use Apple's headphones just to control the thing; although, at this price, those who buy it may not care about having nicer headphones. In my opinion, you should always have some form of controls on a device, in case you forget your headphones or want to upgrade them later.
People may not want to be forced to use Apple's headphones just to control the thing; although, at this price, those who buy it may not care about having nicer headphones. In my opinion, you should always have some form of controls on a device, in case you forget your headphones or want to upgrade them later.
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.
Wow, that was unexpected. First time Apple has managed to keep a new design a secret for years 
I prefer the old design and choice of colours, which is still available anyway.
I prefer the old design and choice of colours, which is still available anyway.
I love how you now can't use any other headphones that don't have a controller on them.
Not far off the iPod flee spoof now
I agree. I have a pair of studio ear buds that were twice the price of the shuffle and if I cannot use them I will not buy the shuffle. I want the shuffle for the gym as the 2GB was to small in storage (I work out a couple of hours a day and that is not enough to store my jazz collection for working out). Without the ability to use my own headphones this is a non-starter. What is Apple thinking? How many people do you know that use the stock, uncomfortable Apple ear buds? Not many in my neck of the woods! They sound like garbage (relatively speaking) and do fit in every ear. I guess I am waiting for Apple to release a $20 adapter that allows for use of your own headphones.
I am seriously disappointed in the direction Apple has taken recently. Why give consumers LESS choice when using your product that more? Oh well - I guess I keep using the larger Nano and while it works well enough it does not meet the size requirements.
My son has been saving up his birthday money and allowance for almost 6-months to get an iPod and the Shufle is not large enough in capacity to keep his music files for long trips and the headphones are a NON STARTER for my son OR daughter as they do not fit in their ears properly and my daughter need earphones due to a hearing issue. The Nano is more expensive that he can afford and larger than he would like (not to mention the cost associated with the Nano - as these are children so it is not inconceivable it would be lost or damaged). A real disappointment - I am sure I will be labeled as someone who has no forethought and should live with it and buy something else - that seems to be the MO on these forums lately. If you do not like something Apple releases you are nothing but an ill-informed curmudgeon. Sad, really sad. I have already started to see this attitude during this thread already - and there are only two pages of comments!
D
Way to not even bother reading the entire article before starting to whine about how Apple screwed you ...
I imagine Amazon and the like will probably be selling through older stock for longer than Apple.
Cheez.
Jim
What is the target market for this product?
If, like me, you said 'People working out / at the gym' that sort of thing then Im sure you'll agree with my sentiments ...
'Once again Apple give no thought to the people who will use this product' WTF am I supposed to do now if I want to use my own headphones - as I and all the people at my gym do to stop the buds falling out and so they can swap between the iPod and the gyms own TV channel.
Well done again Apple - form over functionality! Its a good job they dont build houses or cars or .... !!!
If, like me, you said 'People working out / at the gym' that sort of thing then Im sure you'll agree with my sentiments ...
'Once again Apple give no thought to the people who will use this product' WTF am I supposed to do now if I want to use my own headphones - as I and all the people at my gym do to stop the buds falling out and so they can swap between the iPod and the gyms own TV channel.
Well done again Apple - form over functionality! Its a good job they dont build houses or cars or .... !!!
Apple's so cute with their proprietary accessories. Just when you think they can't make any other part proprietary they go and squeeze out the 3rd party headphone market.
My guess is that Apple or an official accessory maker will start selling a controller dongle momentarily. I bet it'll cost $29. Lovely.
Of course the truth is most iPod users use the Apple headphones, so it's only an issue for a tiny minority.
My guess is that Apple or an official accessory maker will start selling a controller dongle momentarily. I bet it'll cost $29. Lovely.
Of course the truth is most iPod users use the Apple headphones, so it's only an issue for a tiny minority.
I love the design. Plain anodized front, with stainless steal clip on back.
Putting USB through audio jack is a brilliant idea as well - as long as it doesn't affect transfer speeds.
30 minutes ago I wouldn't of said this, but i think i might buy one.
Putting USB through audio jack is a brilliant idea as well - as long as it doesn't affect transfer speeds.
30 minutes ago I wouldn't of said this, but i think i might buy one.
It is ugly as sin.
Looks like the bluetooth headset. And the fact that the controls are not on the device...
Looks like the bluetooth headset. And the fact that the controls are not on the device...
They've been doing the USB connection through the audio jack since the last revision of the shuffle.
Seriously - what if we want to play it through a stereo? They're going to have to release an external remote the way they did with some of the first few generations of iPods. Although as said earlier, most people with more expensive headphones/equipment probably aren't in the market for the smaller/cheaper shuffle, some of us like having them for fun, ease of use running/lifting (iPhones are big), or as a device designated to one band. In our apartment we have an iPhone, two iPod Touches, two older iPods (classic, mini) and then an iPod shuffle with only 311 on it to carry around with us and to bring on road trips or to parties - both of which can't occur without buttons independent of headphones for plugging into car/house sound systems.
Because its not generating the voice in the iPod. Rather its just generating all names/artists in iTunes and then copying them over as separate files. And since they can't be bothered porting the VoiceOver tech to Windows, they just use the built in one.