From the watch? You want a headphone cable going to your wrist?
I had the first and last. I used the last until about a year ago, with Bluetooth headphones it made more sense to just use my watch in the gym.
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First-Generation iPod Shuffle Turns 14 Today
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From the watch? You want a headphone cable going to your wrist?
I had the first and last. I used the last until about a year ago, with Bluetooth headphones it made more sense to just use my watch in the gym.
The 1st generation iPod shuffle is well known to be at the top of the list-- as far as sound quality is concerned-- amongst all of the devices Apple has ever put out that can play audio. It has superior sound quality to iPods, iPads, and iPhones. I know from experience. It sounds amazing. That said, it's not nearly as convenient.
These were simpler times when we were all so excited to get a new redesigned iPod and updates to iLife and iWork once a year a MacWorld.
I liked mine, it was my first apple product. I quickly upgraded to the first Nano though. And liked that even more.
It is a shame that the only way to listen to music on an Apple portable device now is either on an oversized phone or an iPod touch, both of which are too large physically for what you need, and also don't hold a big music library unless you go for an extremely expensive option where you pay FAR too much for the extra space.
Despite what tech companies seem to think, streaming is not an option on-the-go here in the UK, it may be fine when sitting at home but 3/4G coverage is so spotty I couldn't even drive from home to work, a journey of 6 miles in the South East of the UK, and listen to a track without it losing connection.
The iPod line, particularly the Classic and Nono, were great devices, it is a shame that have all gone...
Despite what tech companies seem to think, streaming is not an option on-the-go here in the UK, it may be fine when sitting at home but 3/4G coverage is so spotty I couldn't even drive from home to work, a journey of 6 miles in the South East of the UK, and listen to a track without it losing connection.
The iPod line, particularly the Classic and Nono, were great devices, it is a shame that have all gone...
Back when Apple always made sure to have an affordable but still innovative low-end model in every lineup. Like the white MacBook, the iPhone SE or 5C, etc...
I remember when TiVo would offer them up as bonuses - you could redeem points for things like the Shuffle. I still have a couple TiVo-provided Shuffles around here somewhere (as well as a cheap TiVo-branded messenger bag
).I've got nothing against progress; but I do miss those days when tech companies seemed to have more personality (perhaps "quirkiness" would be a better term).
Never owned an iPod shuffle but my first Apple device was an iPod mini. That’s where it all started for me.
It’s amazing how far we’ve come. I saw this picture the other day and even in this setup is somewhat outdated.
It’s amazing how far we’ve come. I saw this picture the other day and even in this setup is somewhat outdated.
[doublepost=1547372458][/doublepost]Laugh if you must, but they cut the life-cycle on this product too soon. I still miss having something lite on me when working out. This was a great product to dive into the Apple ecosystem.
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the unveiling of the first-generation iPod shuffle, presented by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs on stage at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. On January 11, 2005, Apple debuted the first-of-its-kind iPod shuffle, which completely lacked a display, weighed 0.78 ounces, and held up to 240 songs (on the 1GB model) that would be played randomly.
At the Expo, Jobs called the iPod shuffle "smaller and lighter than a pack of gum," and touted the device's low-end 512MB model, which ran for $99 in the United States and could hold up to 120 songs (the 1GB version cost $149). "With most flash-memory music players users must use tiny displays and complicated controls to find their music; with iPod shuffle you just relax and it serves up new combinations of your music every time you listen," Jobs said.
Like previous iPods, iPod shuffle connected to a user's iTunes account to sync downloaded music onto the media player. The iPod shuffle also supported AutoFill, which automatically selected the perfect number of songs to fill out the iPod shuffle from iTunes. Besides randomly playing music on shuffle, users could also flip a switch on the back of the device to play music in order.
The iPod shuffle also doubled as a portable USB flash drive that users could store personal files on to exchange between computers. In the original press release, Apple mentioned that the iPod shuffle was the latest member of the iPod family, which at the time included the fourth generation iPod, iPod mini, iPod U2 Special Edition, and iPod photo.
Apple highlighted the iPod shuffle's portability in its first ads
Apple also sold accessories at the launch of the iPod shuffle, like an armband that turned the device into an athletic accessory, a sport case that came with a neck strap, a dock, and a USB power adapter. There was even a battery pack that extended the iPod shuffle's life from 12 hours to 20 additional hours. Every iPod shuffle came with an included lanyard so users could wear the small device around their neck.
iPod shuffle was a notable release for the iPod lineup because of its huge departure from the typical iPod feature set. Besides a display, it lacked a scroll wheel, ability to manage playlists, and typical iPod features like games, address book contacts, calendar, alarm, and other software mainstays of the iPods before the shuffle.
The only buttons on the front of the iPod shuffle were for Play/Pause, Next Song/Fast Forward, Previous Song/Reverse, and volume rockers. The back held a battery level indicator light, and the three-way switch that turned the device off or alternated between randomly playing music or playing it in order. The bottom of the iPod shuffle had a removable cap where the USB plug was hidden.
Apple eventually updated the iPod shuffle throughout numerous generations. The second generation debuted on September 12, 2006, coming in at half the size of the original model and with a built-in belt clip.
The third generation iPod shuffle launched on March 11, 2009, which returned to the long, rectangular design of the original device but introduced a brushed aluminum frame and VoiceOver features. This model completely lacked playback and volume controls on the device itself, and resigned these controls to the included EarBuds.
iPod shuffle third generation
The fourth generation of iPod shuffle came out on September 1, 2010, again returning to a previous design by mimicking the square body of the second generation, while offering a bevy of colors for customers to choose from. This was ultimately the last generation of iPod shuffle to release from Apple, and the line is now dead.
iPod shuffle fourth generation
As of July 27, 2017, Apple discontinued the iPod shuffle family by removing it from the company website and online store. At that time, the iPod shuffle had been on the market for twelve and a half years. Apple also discontinued the iPod nano on the same day, leaving the iPod touch as the only remaining device in the iPod lineup.
Article Link: First-Generation iPod Shuffle Turns 14 Today
4th gen shuffle - my best running companion for years
small
light weight
easy user controls
easy downloads
Current setup: bluetooth earbuds with android phone - heavier and clunky
small
light weight
easy user controls
easy downloads
Current setup: bluetooth earbuds with android phone - heavier and clunky
I had two different first gen shuffles, and loved them a lot, but the headphone jack went bad on both within a year. The 2nd gen. shuffle was the best by far.
In many ways, for navigating playlists, I still prefer the tactile connection of the old click-wheel iPod.
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The 7th gen nano eventually supported AirPods with a firmware update, but there was an issue with low volume. I don't remember whether this was ever fixed before Apple discontinued the product line.
As for myself, I still occasionally use my 5th gen nanos. That gen gets my vote for best non-iOS iPod, with its nice bigger screen (than 4th gen), video camera and built-in speaker. Yeah, okay, the speaker has virtually no bass, but it's there for what it's worth. I've never had a shuffle, though. A member of my family has a pink 4th gen shuffle, but it's that person's least favorite choice. The rest of the family's music devices are iOS-based now.
I did not know that - it's a shame they never marketed it. I would love a nano for snowboarding.. since I have a LTE Watch I could just use that..to afraid to use wireless headphones when snowboarding as if I take a spill they will totally fall out... so a Nano w/ Wired headphones would be perfect and i would not have to worry about losing my X.
You be amased how many sporters still Use iPods . This is a market Apple forgot about . Big storage iPods i dont meen the touch screen ones . There is such a big market for them . Classic iPod remove the fragil hard disk and replace with huge flash.
If you don’t want a Apple.
The Sandisk clip jam might be for you. You will have to copy you files manually but it supports acc
I mean, the way we consumed music has changed. I don't think that Apple really killed the iPod because it was a bad product - the way that people just started to consume/listen to media changed.. its happens all the time in music with records, tapes, flash, sony mini discs, etc...
I do wish they kept the nano around that could connect to wifi or make a cellular version that could stream music.. but hey, i understand that there probably isn't much demand for something like that.
I wish Apple would consider making one that can sync with Apple Music. My 4gen shuffle is my go-to at the gym, its nice to be able to unplug and get in a good workout without any distractions.
Hell, even if they made you sync the thing once a month to authenticate your Apple Music subscription it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Hell, even if they made you sync the thing once a month to authenticate your Apple Music subscription it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.