The iPod shuffle: Do not eat in the US or chew in the UK

You know how Apple made that weak joke on the product page for iPod shuffle advising that you "Do not eat iPod shuffle"? Yeah, well they make the same joke on the UK version of their website, except that across the pond it reads "Do not chew iPod shuffle." Both are presumably a reference to the fact that the new player is about the size of pack of gum. Besides totally harshing our plans to consume at least one iPod shuffle at every meal for three weeks in attempt to convert ourselves into a cyborg, we're also trying to figure out whether there is some weird cultural or language difference we weren't aware of before that would explain this, especially since every American we've ever met has said "chew gum" rather than "eat gum." Maybe they figure Brits are smart enough to spit out the iPod shuffle after they've nibbled on it, but that Americans aren't and need that extra little bit of guidance?

P.S. - We got hands-on with the iPod shuffle yesterday, check back in a couple of hours or so for our initial impressions (though we can tell you now that it is totally delicious).

[Via waxy.org]

[arkowi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

" P.S. - We got hands-on with the iPod shuffle yesterday, check back in a couple of hours or so for our initial impressions (though we can tell you now that it is totally delicious)."

ok...but did you chew or eat it?

[z3rr0 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

That line is a disclaimer for the picture that appears above the disclaimer. They show the iPod Shuffle with two packs of chewing gum. Given that someone can spill hot coffee on one's self and sue the purveyor, disclaimers like this are required.

Have you heard the one about the guy that is suing Apple because he CHOSE to use iTunes and an iPod and chan't play his purchased music on another device? Geez. :)

[B @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball(tm)

[Trachalio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Dunno why, but the Canadian site for the iPod shuffle doesn't contain either warnings. Does this mean that Canadians are less prone to stupid lawsuits than the States or the UK or something?

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

About the lawsuit, people, this is a perfectly valid lawsuit, and just because you personally disagree with it, does not put it anywhere in the vicinity of this joke. Comeon. Just because you will submit yourself to whatever Stevie J stuffs down your throat and gladly give him far more of your hard-earned cash than it is worth, does not mean that we all have to sit here and take it.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I think the iPod Shuffle, at it's price, is a much better buy than the mini. And I personally feel that the Shuffle should've been the on to come in different colors. Anyway... it's still new... there's time to add some color ;)

Mind you, I do not own an iPod...not because I don't like it... but because I don't need it for my music habits. I do love it though, the interface, design, etc..etc.

I will buy an iPod Shuffle... IF... someone comes up with a scuba case for it (iRiver has one) ... I'd much rather get an iPod than the iRiver!!!!

[dimitris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Did anyone notice this?

"Keyboard, iPod mini, dock, hands, AirPort, Bluetooth and PC sold separately."

It's the note at Mac mini design page.
http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html
:lol:

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It looks like somebody at Apple was having fun with disclaimers yesterday, and some of them have even changed. When I first looked, the disclaimer for the Mac mini said something like "Keyboard, mouse, hands, display, PC, and iPod sold separately" (referring to all the other things pictured on the page, including the hands holding the mini). Now it reads "Keyboard, mouse, megaphone and display sold separately" -- the megaphone is pictured by the "Tell your friends" link. :)

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

[antrix @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

No funny disclaimers here: http://www.asia.apple.com/ipodshuffle/

So us Asians have no Maybe sense of humour?

[Neil T. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

"check back in a couple of hours or so for our initial impressions (though we can tell you now that it is totally delicious)."

Waiting for it to come out the other end, then? And did you eat or chew? :)

[Blake H. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Checked out the Japanese, French, German, and Spanish localized versions of the page. Like the page at www.asia.apple.com, they don't include the humorous footnotes either, alas.

[Dean Shan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Yeah that disclaimer is gone now.

[Trobee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

The Mac Mini disclaimer on the Design page now says "Keyboard, iPod mini, dock, hands, AirPort, Bluetooth and PC sold separately."

I guess if refers to the picture where someoe is holding an Minimac in their hands

On the main page it advises you to

"Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse"

[Zack @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

"Do not eat iPod Shuffle" is clearly a reference to Happy Fun Ball.

[Zack @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

... it ate my URL.
http://www.happyfunball.com/hfb.html

(Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.)

[Dylan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

If you're interested in actually having a decal like that on your shuffle, here's one you can buy. I actually got some console skins... they look pretty cool. Best of all, they're removable. And reapliable.

JuicyFruit style: http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,2642.htm
DoubleMint style:
http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,2575.htm

And if you want custom text (i.e. your name) printed on part of it where it says 'music player', just change the item numbers to

4,2641.htm (ShuffleMint)
4,2638.htm (DoubleMint)