iPod Shuffle Released

[erickg]

I just bought the 1 Gig and althought having buyers remorse now I am sure I will love it when I get it.

However I read through all the posts and am wondering the same question as someone previously. If I am listening to a song/audiobook, can I hold down the next song button to fast forward through it?

Thanks for the help should anyone already have one and know the answer.... the people one this site always seem to be able to help me out.

P.S. to all the naysayers, buy an ipod or be quiet, no one cares if you don't want one.

I just looked at apple.com/support and searched on "ipod shuffle". Fast forwarding through songs/audiobooks should work as you mentioned. Also of interest, I read that if you hold down the play/pause button for three seconds the ipod shuffle goes into "hold" mode, holding it down for another three seconds releases it (both will be indicated by three flashes of the led on the front of the ipod). Oh, and the bookmarking function used on the other ipods for audiobooks should also work fine with ipod shuffle (i.e. if you stop an audiobook and later resume it, you will automatically start off at the same place as you left off).

 

[Garissimo]

I just looked at apple.com/support and searched on "ipod shuffle". Fast forwarding through songs/audiobooks should work as you mentioned. Also of interest, I read that if you hold down the play/pause button for three seconds the ipod shuffle goes into "hold" mode, holding it down for another three seconds releases it (both will be indicated by three flashes of the led on the front of the ipod). Oh, and the bookmarking function used on the other ipods for audiobooks should also work fine with ipod shuffle (i.e. if you stop an audiobook and later resume it, you will automatically start off at the same place as you left off).

I should hold off on this until I use the thing, but I'm also concerned that song control may be somewhat limited. If holding down the forward/back keys does a fast forward and reverse, then it's probably not an issue.

I am curious why Apple didn't put the volume controls on the side like most of the cell phones do, and then have the UP/DOWN keys function as an album/chapter select feature. I can live without the display, though. Your ears are the display, aren't they?

 

[iChan]

Dont' mind no display, like the size, battery life, and storage size, but I hope that someone writes a hack that will allow it to download and play *in order* songs from an iTunes playlist so if you want a specific structure for the day you can have it. For some of us who also listen to classical music (multi-movement works) the ability to keep those movements in order would be helpful--so Mozart doesn't get shuffled with Schwanter. (though that might be interesting)

you can.

 

[rogo]

The rationalization of people who don't need a screen are somewhat comical.

Don't want to look for a song? Really? Well what about the people who do? They want to hear the latest Usher over and over because they like it a lot. They didn't download their songs in some easily remembered order because, well, few humans keep track of 240 item lists easily.

So they are shuffling around at the gym and then later they want their fix. Too bad, not on this player. Hunt, hunt, hunt...

Want a couple of different playlists for the gym, the commute, reading, whatever? Forget it. Not available on this product.

Want to share a cool new iTune with your buddy? Have fun searching for 10+ minutes to find it with no tools whatsoever to do so.

The point that is lost on those who don't care about the screen is that up until 3 days, it never would've occurred to most common sense people to delete the screen off a flash MP3 player. It would've occurred to most of you that many are ridiculously convoluted with low sense controls (not unlike a switch on the back side that moves from sequential to random, but that's another matter... note to Steve, Tog would not approve).

The interface I proposed a few pages back would meet the simplicity test, would add tons of functionality the Shuffle lacks, and would, indeed, add $4-5 in cost (I checked some prices, but since I'm not buying 3-5 million units, I'm assuming Apple would pay less... note that I found numerous LCDs below $5).

One can't help wondering also if making this thing say 10% thicker wouldn't have accommodated a 20-hour battery (is there anything more ridiculous than an external battery pack for a <1 oz. MP3 player? I can't think of a dumber accessory).

I'm sure Apple sells millions. And I'm also sure that a lot of people will be happy. But no one would've complained if the player >>had<< a screen. No one. It could've still worked as if the screen were missing.

And, yes, the pricing for the capacity still tops the market -- for now. So I'll propose the fall / winter line as follows:

Shuffle
512MB -- $79

ShufflePro
1GB -- $149

Mini
5GB -- $199
10GB --$249

The big line may undergo changes as single plater 30GB and 40GB drives are in the offing. Perhaps the 40GB gets the thinner profile, but I have trouble seeing Apple dropping the 20GB unit... The Photo units could come down in price a lot and make room for an 80GB unit, but I'd rather see the fat Photo form factor receive a 3-in-1 card slot for SD / MemoryStick / xD to allow for photo loading off digicams. If Sony can do the Network Walkman in a form factor the same size as the iPod Mini, Apple can make this happen.

 

[sushi]

The rationalization of people who don't need a screen are somewhat comical.

Don't want to look for a song? Really? Well what about the people who do? They want to hear the latest Usher over and over because they like it a lot. They didn't download their songs in some easily remembered order because, well, few humans keep track of 240 item lists easily.

So they are shuffling around at the gym and then later they want their fix. Too bad, not on this player. Hunt, hunt, hunt...

Want a couple of different playlists for the gym, the commute, reading, whatever? Forget it. Not available on this product.

Fine, it is obvious that the iPod Shuffle is not for you.

For some of us, the iPod Shuffle meets _our_ needs just fine even though it does not meet _your_ needs.

Maybe the iPod mini or regular iPod would suit your needs better.

Sushi

 

[billystlyes]

JUST GOT MINE!!!

I was down on it when i heard there was no screen "even said it may be a loser" but after getting this thing I must say its a knockout product and a decent value. It's great for working out and biking and that's really all I need it for. I think it might even replace my 15gb 3g as my player of choice. The lanyard is going to become some sort of fashion statement I can feel it. One more thing sound quality is good and on par with the rest of the iPod family.

 

[3Memos]

I was down on it when i heard there was no screen "even said it may be a loser" but after getting this thing I must say its a knockout product and a decent value. It's great for working out and biking and that's really all I need it for. I think it might even replace my 15gb 3g as my player of choice. The lanyard is going to become some sort of fashion statement I can feel it. One more thing sound quality is good and on par with the rest of the iPod family.

I really want to get one! My brain tells me to get one, so does my heart, yet for some reason, I already own a 20Gb and mini and can't get the courage to get one. It's so affordable, even bordering on disposable. I might as well cave in and get one, for when I start snowboarding lessons next month.

 

[Deefuzz]

I was down on it when i heard there was no screen "even said it may be a loser" but after getting this thing I must say its a knockout product and a decent value. It's great for working out and biking and that's really all I need it for. I think it might even replace my 15gb 3g as my player of choice. The lanyard is going to become some sort of fashion statement I can feel it. One more thing sound quality is good and on par with the rest of the iPod family.

did it come with apple stickers?

 

[walexx]

Yep, I said from day one that coloured boot laces are going to be a huge sale item. People who want to stand out and not spend alot of money doing it with their shuffles will buy brightly coloured boot laces and use em as lanyards, but also I can see a huge lanyard business start up.

The best thing about the shuttle is its simple and classy white looks and with a dash of colour it looks even sweeter. Young people are going to turn this into a huge bragging rights item and the simplest and cheapest way to do it is with something bright around your neck threaded thru your shuffle.

I soo want one and as for the screen, its no big deal. I think Apple really did their homework on this one, and they get an A+ from me .

 

[3Memos]

I soo want one and as for the screen, its no big deal. I think Apple really did their homework on this one, and they get an A+ from me .

I agree. It takes a lot of guts to come out with something so against mainstream that in the end, is insanely genius. The greatest selling point of the shuffle is that it is so easy to use, even my dad could pick it up and use it right away. An MP3 player cannot get any simpler than this.

 

[teddy73]

nice touch apple

Gonna be the most best selling ipod from apple.
Price,uniq design,ease to use and you don't need no screen for this one to listen shuffled music .A nice touch to the Ipod line.






20" G4 imac
12" Ibook-60gb-512ram
3g 15gb ipod
apple airport extreme
soon my 1gb ipod shuffle very soon

 

[Patster66]

It will be huge.

My first reaction to the whole "shuffle" idea was "you've got to be kidding me!" Then I thought about it for a minute, then decided that it's perfect for something like this. We're not talking about 6 days worth of music here (like a 40 gig iPod). With the shuffle, you load up a bunch (or a just a few) CD's, and you let them play. You only load up the CD's you want to hear, so you're not worried about stuff that you dont' want to hear (my iTunes is FULL of stuff I seldom actually want to listen to). And the shuffle is CHEAP.
My 1 gig should be here in a day or two...
P

 

[PCMacUser]

Clever naming

I guess you gotta hand it to the marketing people at Apple. By calling this thing the iPod 'shuffle', you can get away with saying it doesn't need a screen. I mean, who needs a screen when it's random playing anyway? Unless of course, you don't know the names of the songs on the player (something I encounter frequently with my 2000+ songs on my 20Gb player haha).

Well, I think I might be stuck for choice here. I had the same problem with choosing a HDD based player too, so I bought both the iRiver (for functionality, battery life, remote control, radio, voice recording, input/outputs, etc) AND an iPod Mini (it's dead sexy, nothing more said). Maybe I'll do the same thing again with the flash based players...

BTW, does anyone know if the Shuffle allows songs to be transferred off it once they're on? This is an important feature to me.

 

[3Memos]

I will be picking one up tonight. I just hope my local electronics outlet have them in stock at the moment. Here to hoping.

 

[walexx]

I know this has been brought up before, but it annoys me that people are complaining about no screen. If u want a screen get a mini. Its not like Apple dont make ipods with screens.

As for the shuffle, I travel a bit and in the old days would take a backpack full of tapes with me on the plane. Then I would have to figure out what to listen to and then the hastle of trying to fast forward or rewind to my fave songs.

The shuffle is great for tgravelling as its takes up literally no space. Its got enough songs to listen to for 8 hours on a plane and when u r sitting on a plane, its nice to have a good selection of music to listen to which makes the shuffle perfect.

I am just wondering in the last 48hours how many preorders Apple has already recieved ??.

 

[PCMacUser]

I know this has been brought up before, but it annoys me that people are complaining about no screen. If u want a screen get a mini. Its not like Apple dont make ipods with screens.

I think the point that most people (who dislike the lack of screen) are trying to make, is that Apple is trying to compete in a market where most of these players DO come with screens... you shouldn't have to spend £179 just to have an MP3 player with a screen...

 

[walexx]

I can guarantee you that if the shuffle is a success, then u will start seeing more MP3 flash players without screens, and that in itself will bring down prices even more.

Personally though, I would love a screen and fm radio as sometimes its just a drag to have to listen to your music when u just want the radio. I think the perfect solution would be if someone came up with a set of headphones with a built in radio on the cord. It would be powered by the iPod and have a small screen to scan for stations. Surely it cant be that hard to make and would then mean if people like me wanted a radio, then could have one. Im certainly not complaining about the shuffle though, I think its going to be very difficult for Appel to keep up with the demand. Ill be getting a 1gig one myself.

People are complaining about the price saying that for a screenless player its still a premium over the others, and well that might be a point, but hey, this is Apple.

People will pay to have an Apple because the market that this is aimed at which is younger people "image" is very important. Why would u have a creative or roxio player when you can have an "Apple".

Also, the other very big thing here is that it works with iTunes. From what I have read, alot of other mp3 player (not just flash) are really difficult to use because of their methods of getting mp3's in them and managing those mp3. With iTunes and iPod its a sinch. People pay for simplicity and ease of design, and hey, the white shiny shuffle just looks HOTTTTTT.

 

[Doctor Q]

Every iPod has an output method that is not being used: text to speech. Why can't text-to-speech be used to tell you the name of your artist, song title, or other information, or give you feedback as you press buttons, rather than assuming it's all-or-none, i.e., visual interface or no interface at all?

Wouldn't this solve the main "no screen" problem, by letting you get simple bits of feedback through the human sense that's already being used, namely your hearing?

They could either put text-to-speech processing in the iPod shuffle, or convert the text to speech on the PC/Mac and download it with the rest of the audio data.

And you'd have your choice of voice: Hysterical, Trinoids, Pipe Organ, Zarvox, or your other favorite.

 

[billystlyes]

did it come with apple stickers?

No I did not? Are you to get them? I got the 512mb

 

[ssnmx]

Accesories?

Today, a friend of mine showed me her cellphone and I couldn't help thinking of a nice accessorie for the shuffle. She had a lanyard with an integrated hands-free set. It was a Samsung phone...

I thought something like that would be nice for the shuffle, where the earbuds came out from the lanyard... Is it just me or do all the cables just look cluttered...?

Something like this pic. My friend's was also white, but it seemed nicer and "Made for iPod"

 

[mactropy]

Every iPod has an output method that is not being used: text to speech.

Wow. Never heard of this before.

 

[walexx]

Yeah the first thing i thougtht when i saw the shuffle was god help u if u get tangled in all that, but then again, until cordless headphones come out, this is the mess we have to deal with.

I heard a rumour that apple were working on bluetooth headphones for the ipod. Now that would be cool.

It is a bit cluttered but u dont have to use the lanyard. u can stick it in your pocket.

 

[Tulse]

Why can't text-to-speech be used to tell you the name of your artist, song title, or other information ...They could either put text-to-speech processing in the iPod shuffle

That would require quite a bit of processor power, something I would imagine is lacking in the shuffle. And it would be rather comical to hear it deal with such artists as Meshell Ndegeocello, or an umlauted Motley Crue, or Tchaikovsky.

or convert the text to speech on the PC/Mac and download it with the rest of the audio data.

That would take up additional space on the player.

In any event, I would think that a voice announcing every song would get seriously annoying after a while -- "Fleetwood Mac. Rumours. Second Hand News"..."Fleetwood Mac. Rumours. Dreams."..."Fleetwood Mac. Rumours. Never Going Back Again"...gah! It would be like a DJ who always intrudes. I for one would only want it on in certain circumstances, and want to be able to turn it off at will -- which means yet another controller on a tiny gadget for a feature of dubious worth.

The shuffle is meant to be your own personal radio. It's not meant to replace the other iPods. If you want random access to specific material, don't buy it.

 

[WannabeSQ]

Yeah the first thing i thougtht when i saw the shuffle was god help u if u get tangled in all that, but then again, until cordless headphones come out, this is the mess we have to deal with.

I heard a rumour that apple were working on bluetooth headphones for the ipod. Now that would be cool.

It is a bit cluttered but u dont have to use the lanyard. u can stick it in your pocket.

Well, someone else makes bluetooth headphones, that also double as a bluetooth headset that auto mutes the music when a call comes in.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=495281

I would pay $200 for apple branded iPod bluetooth headphones if they made them. It would have to have some sort of connector to adapt the iPod for bluetooth, or perhaps the next generation of iPods but like I said, I will pay good money for one.

 

[3Memos]

In any event, I would think that a voice announcing every song would get seriously annoying after a while. I for one would only want it on in certain circumstances, and want to be able to turn it off at will -- which means yet another controller on a tiny gadget for a feature of dubious worth.

Yes. I'd have to agree. It would be very annoying after awhile having some computer-generated voice announcing each song. It's intrusive to say the least. Yes, also very dubious value, when even a 1 line LCD display would even be useful. Apple did mull over including a screen, but they decided against it for being hard to look at, plus too expensive to include at the $99 price.