Size. Weight. Design.
Apple's concept is very eloquent, and their solution has it's pros and cons like anything else.
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iPod The new Shuffle is "hard to use"?!
- Thread starter czeluff
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Apple's concept is very eloquent, and their solution has it's pros and cons like anything else.
I have been using the iPhone 3G with stock headphones and was mostly happy, but I hate using my iPhone as an iPod while I ride my bike or jogging because I didn't like it wrapped around my bicep or on my belt etc... and I was afraid I'd break my iPhone if I crashed. So I was eye-balling the shuffle plus the new in-ear headphones with remote. When the new shuffle came out with the ability to change volume on the cord, I knew I had to have it for riding, and I can put my iPhone in the bag safe and dry. So today I went to the Apple store and bought it - black. While there, I asked about the new in-ear headphones - would the volume controls work with new shuffle? -yes. I really wanted in-ears because the others would come loose plus the wind would be loud swirling around them, but I wanted to answer the phone, too. reviews were mixed - so I took a chance. I LOVE the new shuffle and I LOVE the new in-ear headphones. They will work with the iPhone (but not the volume control) - and they will work fully with the next iPhone when that comes out and I upgrade. So, new 3rd Generation Shuffle combined with new in-ear headphones is awesome. I can save the stock ones as back-up. If you MUST have a non-apple headphone - just wait for adapters and evaluate then. Or, give the Apple in-ears a try. BTW, I notice that at medium volume, the in-ears sound slightly less full than stock buds, but with higher volume the in-ears sound better and great. They sound better than my $80 Shure's. Give them a try with the different sizes plus experimenting with equalizer - if you still don't like them you can return them - nothing to lose. 80 bucks for a dual driver with remote and mic is a great price.
I meant on the headphone controller. Theres room on there for 3 more buttons the they spaced them correctly.
I fear this ipod is just more form-over-function and less consideration for the customer. They should at least sell a headphone extension cable type of thing that has the controls in it so you can plug any headphones you want into that. One could probably be made easily enough, but its such a goofy design.
And what if your house blows up? Or you lose the Shuffle but not the headphones? The replacements are 29.00 and the in-ears with remote are great at 79.00. If you want to have cheap back ups, buy a second pair with remote and keep it in your hotel vault.
Very Easy to Use
On the one hand getting through songs is the same: click once to start or stop. Click twice to advance. Thrice to repeat. On the other hand, to scroll through your playlists: hold down the center button till you hear a tone, then release. You will hear a voice reading your playlists. When you hear the one you want, press and release the center button. That's it. It's retarded simple. On top of the shuffle next to the headphone jack is a 3 position button: OFF/REPEAT/SHUFFLE. The thing is so small and light I was walking around with it clipped to my ear lobe. No doubt I looked like an idiot, but whatever.
On the one hand getting through songs is the same: click once to start or stop. Click twice to advance. Thrice to repeat. On the other hand, to scroll through your playlists: hold down the center button till you hear a tone, then release. You will hear a voice reading your playlists. When you hear the one you want, press and release the center button. That's it. It's retarded simple. On top of the shuffle next to the headphone jack is a 3 position button: OFF/REPEAT/SHUFFLE. The thing is so small and light I was walking around with it clipped to my ear lobe. No doubt I looked like an idiot, but whatever.
compatible headphones on the way
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ne...onster-promise-shuffle-3g-friendly-earphones/
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ne...onster-promise-shuffle-3g-friendly-earphones/
The point is that you cannot control the Shuffle without the remote.And what if your house blows up? Or you lose the Shuffle but not the headphones? The replacements are 29.00 and the in-ears with remote are great at 79.00. If you want to have cheap back ups, buy a second pair with remote and keep it in your hotel vault.
That limits you on what options you have.
With the current (2G) Shuffle, you can simply use any earphones that you want because the controls are on the Shuffle.
This shuffle looks fantastic until you realise you actually have to plug earphones into it, not to mention.... "Apple" earphones. What means of torture is this?
Personally I'll wait for the facelift version....you know, the one with Bluetooth circuitry, matching wireless studio-quality cochlear implants and voice recognition
"Apple" earphones. What means of torture is this?Personally I'll wait for the facelift version....you know, the one with Bluetooth circuitry, matching wireless studio-quality cochlear implants and voice recognition
This shuffle looks fantastic until you realise you actually have to plug earphones into it, not to mention....
Personally I'll wait for the facelift version....you know, the one with Bluetooth circuitry, matching wireless studio-quality cochlear implants and voice recognition
Ha! oh, wait - there is a possibility there..
I hadnt even thought of this. In my last car i had a stereo that would let me plug an 1/8" right into the face and play music off my ancient Creatives Jukebox. I guess you are kinda screwed if you want to do that now...
Like i said earlier, a few minutes with a soldering iron could fix this by putting a female 1/8" after the remote, but you shouldnt have to solder a pair of headphones just to make them work correctly.
It's not the sound quality that is so much an issue for me, although I have very good headphones, it's that me and nearly everyone I know can't keep those included earbuds in. They fall out if I walk across a room. I really would like this shuffle for working out, which is the target audience, yet they supply a non friendly work-out earbud. Just so dumb.
I think the thing that bothers me the most is that Apple was doing great for a long time. All of their designs have been great, with a few minor issues, but this new shuffle is just a huge step backward for them. I hope this isnt a new trend for them, i would hate to see apple revert into its former 1990's self.
I've been using the Apple in-ears since they came out with my Nano and Touch so the controls are identical to the new Shuffle. They don't fall out and have better sound than stock buds by far. It's also more intuitive than one would think.
The only crappy things I've run into w. new Shuffle is not being able to adjust sound level and change songs when used as an audio in device. Or charge last gen. with same usb cable. Strangely enough, I mainly use the Shuffle when doing physical things and the controls up top as they are seem to be easier than hunting the inevitable swinging button on my old Shuffle. Plus having 3.7 whatever gigs allows me to load up a good 2 gigs of music and have plenty left over for saving files in disk mode.
The Apple included earphones work okay as long as I have those foamy cover things that Apple has so graciously stopped including. They do wonders for keeping the phones in the ear.
The only crappy things I've run into w. new Shuffle is not being able to adjust sound level and change songs when used as an audio in device. Or charge last gen. with same usb cable. Strangely enough, I mainly use the Shuffle when doing physical things and the controls up top as they are seem to be easier than hunting the inevitable swinging button on my old Shuffle. Plus having 3.7 whatever gigs allows me to load up a good 2 gigs of music and have plenty left over for saving files in disk mode.
The Apple included earphones work okay as long as I have those foamy cover things that Apple has so graciously stopped including. They do wonders for keeping the phones in the ear.
Screw The New Shuffle!
SCREW THAT! If you break or loose the headphones, you can't listen to the iPod with regular(any) headphone. Unless if your gonna "actually" buy a new pair of headphones.
Just Use the previous clip on shuffle with 1GB lol. It's still good for snowboarding, because I use it all the time(and it's some what water resistance, but that doesn't mean It's 100% water proof, don't take my word). It's SMALL AND SIMPLE! **** the new shuffle sucks****!!
SCREW THAT! If you break or loose the headphones, you can't listen to the iPod with regular(any) headphone. Unless if your gonna "actually" buy a new pair of headphones.
Just Use the previous clip on shuffle with 1GB lol. It's still good for snowboarding, because I use it all the time(and it's some what water resistance, but that doesn't mean It's 100% water proof, don't take my word). It's SMALL AND SIMPLE! **** the new shuffle sucks****!!
Actually the new shuffle is really fab. But I know: change is difficult...
I have never liked the included "earbuds" because they don't stay in my ears. So I paid a lot for the apple in-ear buds. (I think THOSE should come included, because they would probably work for more people...)
I have never liked the included "earbuds" because they don't stay in my ears. So I paid a lot for the apple in-ear buds. (I think THOSE should come included, because they would probably work for more people...)