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Apple Releases Smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle in Black and Silver

I don't know how anyone could like these. Wow, the shuffle was great for exercise and all that and with apple only earbuds, how the hell? I like over the ears or clips for working out. I'm happy with my blue 1gb shuffle.. but man it's ugly. It looks so plain. 4gb is cool but not needed, esp when the nano is a good size w/ 16gb. blah what a bad product.
 
Winni said:
Another thing the world doesn't need. And now you're not only locked-in to iTunes, you also --have-- to use Apple's earphones. Which will be sold separately at probably the same price as the whole iPod.
Click to expand...
Or you could get an adapter and use the headphones you already own at probably some imaginary amount high enough to justify you bitching about it.

Winni said:
Then you have an even higher usability nightmare. I already hate voice menus in phone systems. Now I need to listen to a walkman instead of just using the lousy thing.
Click to expand...

Or you could turn VoiceOver off.
 
I use my iPod Shuffle for jogging and purchased the most comfortable pair of sports earphones that I could find. These kinds of earphones are a tricky purchase, since it's a matter of fit and comfort. So I guess the only solution for me would be an intermediary controller, which adds both to the bulk and the expense. No thanks.
 
The Samurai said:
could someone briefly tell me why the neg votes are the majority for this new product?
Click to expand...

It's different, and doesn't conveniently fit in to some people's tiny little worlds.

Specifically:
- The controls are on the headphone wire, so you can't just use any headphones with it
- The controls are very minimal
- It uses voice synthesis to tell you what song/playlist you're hearing/choosing
- It is unconventional in several ways

Which ignores the facts:
- Other compatible headphones are available, adapters will soon be available, and if you want to use really good headphones you probably don't want a Shuffle
- Single/double/triple-clicking the few buttons does what you want, and you're smart enough to figure it out
- The prior Shuffles had no display nor voice
- Apple frequently introduces unconventional products

Basically it's a whine-fest, piling on a new product that's being innovative and cutting the anchors of backward compatability. If you don't like the new Shuffle, the 2nd Gen model is still available, and if you're that whiny you probably don't really want a Shuffle at all. Some of us DO want this new model.
 
Did'nt read through all the posts. My opinion:

Bad. Really, really bad.

But the old models are still there. Either my current model holds for another two-and-a-half years or I'll have to buy one of those.

1. double-click for next song -> one click too much.
2. previous song? repeat current song?
3. Fast forward, fast backward?
4. Controls at the earphones: I don't want to look like a nervous teenager looking like touching himself near the face squeezing pimples just to adjust the volume. And how scrambled up can these earphones get when you pull them out of your pocket? What is the most exhausted part of my current iPod: The cable of the earphone, so always touching it makes it even more filthy and maybe they even break faster. For me too, Apple earphones pop out of my ears too, so how am I supposed to simply change a song or the volume without constantly readjusting the earphones?
5. Voice-over: So everybody who does not listens to english songs does what with that feature?
6. Playlists: For what? What was the purpose of the Shuffle again?
7. 4 GB: Way too much. Go back to 1 GB and create the flea. It would have been a funny collector piece.

EDIT: Oh, just saw now, that there are voices in different languages. Maybe they should provide those languages for Leopard too.
 
kingtj said:
If you're that into "great sound quality" (and there's NOTHING wrong with that!), I don't see why you'd settle for the cheapest, display-screen lacking model of iPod there is?
Click to expand...

It's all about the DAC. DACs are cheap and you'll find good ones in dirt cheap players and terrible ones in so-called high end players. The quality of audio that a player can put out doesn't have that much to do with its price. So it's wrong to believe that expensive headphones won't sound good with a cheap player no matter what.

The 2nd Gen shuffle's sound quality was mediocre and not worth using high quality headphones on, but the 1st Gen was decent. It remains to be seen how this 3rd Gen will do.

Except, there will be no way to tell how the DAC compares because you can't use headphones good enough to be able to distinguish the difference.
 
ctdonath said:
- Other compatible headphones are available, adapters will soon be available, and if you want to use really good headphones you probably don't want a Shuffle
Click to expand...

The iPod Shuffle is the perfect size for runners. Adding an adapter with controls on it defeats the purpose of having it be as small as possible!!

And having "really good headphones" is only one reason to use non-Apple headphones. As I wrote in my previous post, choosing sports headphones is very difficult, since comfort and fit is such a personal matter.
 
Manderby said:
Did'nt read through all the posts. My opinion:

Bad. Really, really bad.

But the old models are still there. Either my current model holds for another two-and-a-half years or I'll have to buy one of those.

1. double-click for next song -> one click too much.
2. previous song? repeat current song?
3. Fast forward, fast backward?
4. Controls at the earphones: I don't want to look like a nervous teenager looking like touching himself near the face squeezing pimples just to adjust the volume. And how scrambled up can these earphones get when you pull them out of your pocket? What is the most exhausted part of my current iPod: The cable of the earphone, so always touching it makes it even more filthy and maybe they even break faster. For me too, Apple earphones pop out of my ears too, so how am I supposed to simply change a song or the volume without constantly readjusting the earphones?
5. Voice-over: So everybody who does not listens to english songs does what with that feature?
6. Playlists: For what? What was the purpose of the Shuffle again?
7. 4 GB: Way too much. Go back to 1 GB and create the flea. It would have been a funny collector piece.

EDIT: Oh, just saw now, that there are voices in different languages. Maybe they should provide those languages for Leopard too.
Click to expand...

1. one click is pausing the songs
2. previous song you click three times in a row
3. No fast forward, but thats the point of a shuffle cheap small does not do much. if you want more features upgrade to nano.
4. you won't look like a nervous teenager stop being so insecure. I use the earphone controls all the time on my iphone they work great. It literally takes you 2 seconds to do a command.
5. you figured it out
6. shuffle you playlists duhhhh so you dont have to listen to eerything
7. more songs more playlist more shuffling
:apple::apple::apple:
 
NightFox said:
Here we go again thinking that MacRumors is a true representation of Apple product buyers. If Apple catered for what we wanted, it would be such a niche market that Apple would disappear up its own backside.

Next time you're on a train, look around you. The majority of iPod users stick with their supplied 'phones. Their loss, and I feel for them, but these are the majority who influence Apple's strategies, not us.
Click to expand...

This is the sanest thing I've read in this thread. You will probably be banned.

I use Shures and I love them but that doesn't mean I want to use them while riding my bike in traffic. The apple earphones are fine for just casual stuff. I don't need to hear every note perfectly when working out at the gym either.
 
many of you need to stop complaining that the shuffle does not offer too many features, would not play on external speakers, and non third party headphones.

The shuffle was never meant to achieve any of that. Sure the headphones costs almost as much as the shuffle, but thats besides the point.

if you want features than go buy a nano
 
Phrasikleia said:
The iPod Shuffle is the perfect size for runners. Adding an adapter with controls on it defeats the purpose of having it be as small as possible!!

And having "really good headphones" is only one reason to use non-Apple headphones. As I wrote in my previous post, choosing sports headphones is very difficult, since comfort and fit is such a personal matter.
Click to expand...

thank you you made my point
 
Winni said:
you also --have-- to use Apple's earphones. Which will be sold separately at probably the same price as the whole iPod.
Click to expand...

True, for the good ones anyway.

http://www.apple.com/ipod/inearheadphones/

However, Gizmodo is reporting that an adapter will be made for non-Apple listening devices (earbuds/headphones); but, such a setup essentially negates any simplicity offered by the new model, and likely makes it more difficult to use than the previous model.
 
I actually like the Apple earbuds.
I only need to replace them about every 3 months because over time, one side makes significantly less volume than the other, the rubber rings around the mesh grille dissolve and the white rubber thingie around the plug tears open. And I actually take care of those earbuds. The buds that came with my G1 iPod Shuffle (the white one) are still going strong, but the current earbuds just don't hold up well.

I got myself some ultimate ears buds for my G1 iPhone (thin plug, micrphone, button) but I barely hear myself when I talk because they're highly isolating.
 
- as others have posted - that has a child who has given up allowances and earned extra money just for this purchase.
Click to expand...

to all parents out there complaining ... please be aware that the world does not revolve around your kid/s
 
I like the concept!
This will be a huge hit for skiers and snowboarders who carry their iPods inside the jacket for protection and to keep the battery warm and alive.

To access the controls you only have to take off one glove.
No more fumbling to get the device out first.

This will be the first iPod I'll take out for skiing!

This is clearly not a device for homely nerds, but for real action people.
:D:D:D
 
they finally made the ipod with no buttons, what a joke.

Watched the 'walkthrough' on apple's site and they try to make it 'so simple and easy' with all their combination of clicks, but do you know what's easier? having a play/pause button and forward/back buttons.
And ipod headphones only? those things always crap out on me at least a month in, I've had plenty.

what a joke.
 
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