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iPod The new Shuffle is "hard to use"?!
- Thread starter czeluff
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I'm pretty blown away by all of the hubbub this is causing. Seems to me that an end user will still have an easier time learning to use the Shuffle (5 minutes of learning, maybe?!) versus setting up POP or IMAP on a Blackberry.
I'll be buying this new Shuffle, because I use the in-ear headphones, and the Shuffle is THE best music player for snowboarding. Nanos and iPods and iPhones/touches don't work with gloves on, there are LED screens that can break if I fall, etc.
If this device doesn't target you, then stop stressing. You should be happy that you can now pickup a super cheap previous gen Shuffle on craigslist instead!
True, true. My brother used his shuffle in Canada this year, and it performed faultlessly. Though, saying that, it was annoying waiting at the top of the lift on an epic pow day for him to change tracks! Defeats the purpose, eh?
Meanwhile, I was constantly worried about snow on my iphone.
a bit off topic but this shuffle will tell you what song is next right?. What if you listen to music with bad words like some rap?
Hmmm...
Seriously, some people treat their headphones like ****, and they wear out. They aren't made of kite string, people!
It will insult you
don't listen to that kind of music or just change the name from I *#?+! you to I love you 
Sound quality isn't the issue; it's that apple earbuds fall out too easily. Many people use shuffles for working out (that's what I use mine for, exclusively), but the white earbuds simply do not work as workout headphones (for a lot of people).
Even if 3rd parties release headphones that are more geared towards working out, they're still going to have the control on the cord. Trying running 10 miles with a weighted cord hitting you in the face every stride and then tell me how much you like the new shuffle.
I usually defend apple and hate all the complaining that goes on here, but this time I'm solidly in the whiners' camp. As much as I'm amazed by the design of this new shuffle I will be holding on to my 2G and probably replacing it with another when it dies. This new shuffle simply does not work as a workout device, and that means that it does not work, period, for me.
That's true! thats why I use on all my earbuds foams:
http://www.scansound.com/Graphics/Earpads-E20-Med.jpg
They're different ones on the market (softer and harder ones) but they all just cost few dollar.
You are def the guy that third party vendors want to get to know
Seriously, this is the 21st century. I bet the shuffle is easier to figure out than the average coffeemaker... and I'll let you know when my tiny new shuffle gets here. I already made a playlist for it so I can check out how it pronounces French and Spanish titles!
meanwhile the old shuffles which can take any earphones are going for $29....
surely im not the only one who thinks this 'upgrade' is actually a downgrade.....storage capacity aside..
When I use a Shuffle (as opposed to nano or iPhone) it's typically when I don't expect to need or want to be skipping around songs - say, when I'm going for a skate and have a favorites playlist loaded.
The new Shuffle - which will accommodate any headphone - is perfectly fine for this sort of usage. Set the volume with the Apple headphones, then attach your preferred ones, and turn it on. Similarly it's also ideal for audiobooks - there's no need to skip in that context, and as it automatically bookmarks, you need only turn it on to pick up where you left off.
Obviously, that pretty much surrenders any control, but within those parameters, it's acceptable.
The new Shuffle - which will accommodate any headphone - is perfectly fine for this sort of usage. Set the volume with the Apple headphones, then attach your preferred ones, and turn it on. Similarly it's also ideal for audiobooks - there's no need to skip in that context, and as it automatically bookmarks, you need only turn it on to pick up where you left off.
Obviously, that pretty much surrenders any control, but within those parameters, it's acceptable.
Interesting work around idea.
However, when you turn it on, with the other than Apple headphones, what will start it playing? AFAIK, you will need to press the play button of which you won't have one.
i haven't tried the switching thing yet to set the volume but i know that to start playing without the apple earbuds, you just need to move the switch from OFF to either SHUFFLE or REPEAT. i tried it before with regular headphones and it works.
also, it remembers the point where you stop so if you decide to take a break and turn off your shuffle, you will continue from where you left off when you move the switch to either shuffle or repeat.
Of course you need to have a Wal-Mart in your local area.
It this case, it looks Steamboad Springs has a Wal-Mart store.
Question. Does Wal-Mart carry accessories or just Apple products? It's been a while since I've been to one so I don't remember.
Unfortunately, here in Japan we don't have Wal-Mart. Nor near ski areas are any Apple stores or electronics shops that carry Apple products. So if I use the place that I went last weekend, it would take me about a 20 hour round trip.
If I liked the Apple earphones, I would just get an extra set to take with me just in case. However, like many others who prefer other earphones, this is not a solution. Either an adapter or a third party set would be a good alternative.
I will probably get a new Shuffle as I like the design and then just purchase an adapter or third party earphone set.
The thing is, I bought a shuffle because I am always on the move, it is so small, light and clip onto my coat and i am happy. Like many shuffle owners, we like the shuffle because it is inexpensive. I am not trying to say all ipod shuffle owners are poor like me, but many people buy them because they want an ipod and they are great stocking fillers or great for kids. Kids often break things or aren't as careful. I have a technophobic sister, who I gave my shuffle to, who is very careless with electronic stuff so the shuffle is perfect for her, and she loves it.
When I saw the shuffle, i was hoping it had some kind of touch controls embedded under the surface, but the problem is that when these headphones go, you are stuck. You have to buy those headphones. The problem is that these headphones are expensive - when i can just get a pair of better quality ones for a few pounds less. I will order a spare green one, just in case apple deletes the old one. I really love the new design, but I think I will pass this one. More power to those who like it tho.
peace - 'baby.
When I saw the shuffle, i was hoping it had some kind of touch controls embedded under the surface, but the problem is that when these headphones go, you are stuck. You have to buy those headphones. The problem is that these headphones are expensive - when i can just get a pair of better quality ones for a few pounds less. I will order a spare green one, just in case apple deletes the old one. I really love the new design, but I think I will pass this one. More power to those who like it tho.
peace - 'baby.
If I were to get one of the new Shuffles, I would have to load Heads Down No Nonsense Mindless Boogie by Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias to see how good the VoiceOver function is.
If I were to get one of the new Shuffles, I would have to load Heads Down No Nonsense Mindless Boogie by Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias to see how good the VoiceOver function is.
LOL. I'm sure you could have a bit of fun with the voice over
IF I am skiinng in Steamboat Springs and AT THAT TIME my earpiece breaks then I HAVE TO WAIT for my vacation to be over BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY BACKUPS for $30 EVEN THOUGH I JUST SPENT $1000 on my vacation and will need them eventually anyway.
My goodness, you are so right! I am so glad I don't have such a hard life. Sucks to be you! My heart goes out!
Probably third parties will come in to fill the void. It's a good point in isolation, but if Apple really thinks this is a better design (and I use the word IF carefully), should they hold back for that reason?
Relax. I was using that as an example. Actually, I live in Japan.
And no, I'm not rich. I save up for my yearly ski trips which are much cheaper. BTW, here an Apple Store or equivalent is much farther away.
Bottom line, for many Apple's earphones (earbuds) leave a lot to be desired and they want an alternative. It looks like we will get an adapter and some third party options which is good. Too bad Apple can't make a decent set of earphones.
I own the new shuffle. I believe the biggest draw back is the headphones but it did not stop me from buying it today. The size and weight out way the cons in my opinion. I loved using it for my run today. Klipsch and Scosche announced headphones for the Shuffle yesterday so its a matter of time before more come out.
I wonder why it is a problem for apple to include a Play/pause, Back, and Forward button? Surely that must be easier than clicking a solitary button an arbitrary number of clicks.