iPod New shuffle vs 2nd Generations

[nlr]

Hello

I'm confused whats the differences with the new shuffle and the 2nd generation as they look identical to me as I use to have one for the gym.

What has been improved?

 

[bartelby]

it's smaller for a start.
It's got Voice Over and can use multiple playlists

 

[OllyW]

it's smaller for a start.
It's got Voice Over and can use multiple playlists

And it's cheaper too.

 

[bartelby]

And it's cheaper too.

The most important factor of all I suppose.
Even I'm tempted to get one for some reason...

 

[nlr]

Is the battery improved?

to be honest the 2nd generation is just as good as this new one as its not exactly big for lifting weights unless the clip has been improved as the 2nd generation wasn't sturdy enough for me.

 

[Peterson8765]

Yeah, it's a tad smaller and has different controls on the top. It also has an anodized polished aluminum design, VoiceOver, and playlists. It is $49 for 2GB.

 

[Peterson8765]

Is the battery improved?

to be honest the 2nd generation is just as good as this new one as its not exactly big for lifting weights unless the clip has been improved as the 2nd generation wasn't sturdy enough for me.

I believe the Shuffle 2G had 12 hours of audio playback, the new Shuffle 4G has 15 hours of audio playback on one charge.

 

[PCMacUser]

I'm really happy that Apple has gone back to this design - runners everywhere will be over the moon. My orange 2nd gen shuffle is still going strong and I use it every day when training.

Voiceover seems like a handy feature for when the battery needs charging.

 

[Surely]

I'm buying one strictly for use while running. $49 is nothing for something like that. Great price.

Maybe I'll go crazy and get the blue one.........

 

[Peterson8765]

I'm glad Apple made the decision to revert to the 2G shuffle design, many people dreaded the 3G shuffle.

 

[you39]

Yeah, it's a tad smaller and has different controls on the top. It also has an anodized polished aluminum design, VoiceOver, and playlists. It is $49 for 2GB.

My thoughts on the new shuffle...

+ The case is smaller. The square form factor is nice.

+ The case is closed on top and bottom and the only seams are the inevitable ones at the control buttons/switches. This is nice, because you want as little sweat entering the case as possible.

+ Playlists are nice, VoiceOver is nice, although I could do without.

- Anodized polished aluminum ...that's what I was afraid of. Is that the same as the now previous Generation Nano? If so it sucks. Looks very cheap and plastic. I prefer the matte material of the 2G shuffle and 2G nano.

- Having a separate on/off and shuffle/normal switch on the 2G is better. On the Original shuffle it used to be difficult switching to the middle position (something I'd do often to shuffle to a different area of the playlist and then return to normal) - especially when running!

+/- Let's see how the clip performs. It's pressing on a flat surface, unlike the 2G. But the 3G did so as well and I heard that was the only thing it was good at.