Hands-on with the 2G iPod shuffle

Great god of portable audio, this new 2G shuffle is freaking unbelievably small. Like, seriously, it's kind of weirding us out -- it's like they chopped a regular shuffle in half, then skinned off some thickness, then added a clip. Oh, we also got a look at its evolutionary new iPod earphones -- remember the failed canalphones? These new ones are kind of halfway in between those and the classic iPod phones. Click on, this is a $79 work of consumer tech art, even if it won't play most file formats we're actually interested in.

[Evan @ Sep 12th 2006 3:24PM]

If that aint tiny, I dont know what is...

[marty @ Jan 14th 2007 3:29AM]

Pretty clever -- but what can take the new iPod shuffle to a even a higher level of coolness? Ah yes, a completely waterproof -- yes, I said WATERPROOF 2nd gen iPod Shuffle. While other versions of the iPod have waterproof cases, I haven't heard of a waterproof case for the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle. However, the great news is that there is a WATERPROOF 2nd generation iPod Shuffle sold on the web by SWIMMAN at http://www.swimman.com. It's sold along with their excellent waterproof headset that has been rated on the web as being the best waterproof headset on the market. I have used it and now won't go in the water or do laps without it. The iPod shuffle is now light years ahead of everything else out there. It has become a true "go anywhere, do anything" digital audio player.

[Adam @ Sep 12th 2006 3:27PM]

wow guys keep up the gd work. keep em posting.

Are they new ipod headphones im looking at?

[alex @ Sep 12th 2006 3:45PM]

how do you update songs on this thing!?

[welshys @ Sep 12th 2006 3:34PM]

At the apple store the new headphones are part of the ipod and ipod nano gallery, but the ipod shuffle gallery has the old heaphones in it. Does this mean you only get a pair of regular headphones with the new shuffle?

[mikelucky @ Dec 18th 2006 3:39PM]

So I am assuming that Apple has figured out how to send data through a 3 conductor mini-jack plug connected to a USB dock?

[John @ Sep 12th 2006 3:38PM]

Out of everything announced today (besides the iTV) I want one of these...

[Michael @ Sep 12th 2006 3:35PM]

Isn't it just a 1GB shuffle???

[Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 3:43PM]

Does anyone know where i can watch the keynote?

Tom

[I,Robot @ Sep 12th 2006 3:37PM]

OMG that is freaking SMALL. Don't blink and swallow it.

[Salsa Shark @ Sep 13th 2006 9:46PM]

The MobiBlu Cube uses the mini jack for charging, headphones and data transfer, so that seems to be the same case here. The Shuffle is $10 cheaper than the 1GB 1500i Cube, but the Cube has an FM receiver and an OLED display. So pick yer poison, I guess.

[Lex @ Sep 12th 2006 3:47PM]

iPod earrings are just a tiny step away.

[Salsa Shark @ Sep 13th 2006 9:45PM]

2G means second-generation, not 2GB of memory...

[tekdroid @ Sep 12th 2006 3:39PM]

Posted at 3:35PM on Sep 12th 2006 by Michael [ ! ]
---
Isn't it just a 1GB shuffle???


Yes. 2G meaning Second Generation. I'd prefer if they just called it 2nd-gen instead. It is confusing abbreviating to 2G.

[Mister Cark @ Sep 15th 2006 3:12PM]

Life imitates art. This reminds me of a SNL sketch following SJ's keynote release the nano. I believe Jim Breuer was playing The Jobster, though it might have been Will Ferrell. Anyhow, ersatz-Steve brought out a 5G iPod, then did the "one more thing," and whipped out a mini. Ditto nano, Shuffle... and things get silly. Out came something the size of a postage stamp. Then a Tic-Tac. Finally, the guy mimed having a player the size of... well, nothing, really.

Anyhow, made me laugh. I think Apple's pushing the envelope of practicality with a device so easily misplaced, lost, or accidentally tossed in with the wash.

[Nathan Strang @ Sep 12th 2006 3:42PM]

hmm.. how does that baby connect? no usb port?

[sammyVicious @ Sep 12th 2006 4:17PM]

the new shuffle is hot and all, but noone noticed that its missing the usb key drive which was really handy....

[Tina Fey @ Sep 12th 2006 4:36PM]

But can it play movies like the iPod Pequeño?

[Itamar @ Sep 12th 2006 3:51PM]

I currently have the original 512MB Shuffle. This one is even cooler. So tiny. Beautiful. I love it. I just bought one. I could not resist.

[Juan @ Sep 12th 2006 3:50PM]

It has an external USB dock. mikelucky has it right: the dock port is the mini stereo jack. See the animation at http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/sync.html

[whiteshaft @ Sep 12th 2006 4:06PM]

Also reminds me of the Apple Flea music player spoof. SJ seems to be embracing all of the commercial spoof concepts of Apple's hardware; I'm still waiting on my disposable Apple Sticky Notes with the Newton handwriting recognition technology.

[hugh @ Sep 12th 2006 3:52PM]

yeah i will stick with my mobiblue cube dah1500i that i got for $56 and is 1gb

that supports more media formats and has a screen sure i may not have the batt life but i know what i want to play and can choose it

[Johnny @ Sep 12th 2006 3:56PM]

"... even if it won't play most file formats we're actually interested in."

That's a bizarre note to end on -- care to elaborate which file formats those would be?

[Desert @ Sep 12th 2006 3:57PM]

Out of all the things today, this is what I'm getting. I currently have a 1GB shuffle and this looks to improve on everything I like about it.

Oh hugh, how do you like holding that mobiblue in your hand while your exercising? Cuz the shuffle fits perfect in mine.

[George @ Sep 12th 2006 3:58PM]

I would think it uses a combined mini-jack socket that both outputs audio and allows transfer of tracks via a USB adaptor.

I recently bought a similar generic player from Dixons for £5.

It's only 256MB, looks to be smaller than this new Shuffle. I think you can buy a 1GB version too.

[vlangden @ Sep 12th 2006 3:58PM]

Mister Cark, I think you mean this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPkwwuCsTKU

iPod Invisa is next...then the universe.

"Hmm, what to buy? 1st-gen, 2nd-gen, Shuffle, Mini, Nano, Video-iPod, Mini-Nano, Clip-Pod, U2-pod, Click-wheel-pod, or the photo-iPod?"
--Bum Civilian

[John @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

Stream here - Worth watching. Good show...

http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/sep_2006/event/index.html

John

[David @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

Everyone loves WMA formats, duh! Especially the DRM'd ones :P

MP3 and AAC are find by me!!! (+ Audible, WAV, AIFF)

[Misaniovent @ Sep 14th 2006 6:21PM]

Is it necessary to make things this small?

The money spent on this could be so easily lost -- Apple needs to learn that it's possible to make something too small.

[hugh @ Sep 12th 2006 4:06PM]

Oh hugh, how do you like holding that mobiblue in your hand while your exercising? Cuz the shuffle fits perfect in mine.



thats why you dont you put it in your pocket or on your belt with a clip lol

why on earth would you hold ur mp3 player while you work out to my knowledge i used both my hands while i do bench presses or pull ups much less see what happens when you jumping jacks

i cant see that to be a disadvantage much less you have no screen i mean come on no screen if you want to play a spefic song you cant i mean come on people thats insane

[mike. @ Sep 12th 2006 7:55PM]

Was one of the selling points of the original shuffle not the built-in USB plug, no cords or docks required? That certainly got thrown by the wayside. Anyways, I actually prefer the form-factor of the original shuffle, like one of those half-packs of Wrigleys. This one just looks like one of those $10 30mb stocking-stuffers that they sell at those sketch shops in the train station. Without the LED readout.

[B-Sabre @ Sep 12th 2006 4:23PM]

iPodling

http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=050621

[Mojo_Yugen @ Sep 12th 2006 4:15PM]

Thank god! I was sick of having to lug around that old shuffle. Finally, a portable music player!

[mrnym @ Sep 12th 2006 4:25PM]

that is too bad. it was enough to carry a cable for nano, but this thing has a dock connected to a cable! so apple makes players small so that we can carry extras in our empty pockets..?

[al @ Sep 12th 2006 5:31PM]

good point, not as easy to use this new shuffle. the old one you can just plug into a usb drive, now u NEED to use the included dock. ugh.

[Brian @ Sep 12th 2006 4:27PM]

Already bought mine online.

It ships...



October 31. Delivers via standard shipping on Nov. 7th.

I haven't bought an iPod since the day 3g came out. Still waiting for my bluetooth =/

[neverender @ Sep 12th 2006 4:40PM]

i wonder what the battery life is like on this thing. they keep bragging about the new improved life on the other ipods but whats a charge last on the shuffle?

[aj @ Sep 12th 2006 4:37PM]

i am so getting one of these! just until i have enough for a video! ahaha

[Robert @ Sep 12th 2006 4:40PM]

Great device. Awesome price. Quit complaining. It's small, so don't buy it if you won't use it. Everyone said the same thing about cellphones. It's perfect for running. Great job Apple. Keep up the good work...a screen on the next shuffle whilst keeping the same size and price and making it waterproof?

[aj @ Sep 12th 2006 4:42PM]

YO BRIAN! I TOO HAVENT BOUGHT AN IPOD SINCE 3G! I LOVE MY 3G! I THINK THIS NEW SHUFFLE IS A SAFE BET UNTIL THE TRUE VIDEO IPOD COMES OUT, EVEN THOUGH THEY LOOK VERY TEMPTING(THE 5.5G IPODS) i always think to myself, ok i'll buy this ipod it has a color screen, no i'll but this one it has video, no i'll get this nano its so cool, damn ill just wait for something cheap that will hold me over until the real video ipod!

[Robert @ Sep 12th 2006 6:50PM]

It's great for a person who runs or does whatever. Quit complaining...don't buy it. I will. I already have a nano, but this is great for the 50 million runners who wear their ipods religiously. I hope in the future there will be one the same size with a small screen and waterproof. Great job apple. The size is perfect and I love the clip. That's the best part.

[Ryan @ Sep 12th 2006 5:03PM]

looks like they messed up with the photoshopping on the shuffle photos on their website ... check this one out:


http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/gallery/images/ipodshuffle05_20060912.jpg


the headphone jack is in the wrong place.

[P @ Sep 12th 2006 5:03PM]

Whoa! It really is the smallest mp3 player. The mobiBLU 1500i is .83 cubic inches, but the shuffle is now only .71. I bet the guys at apple were really focusing on getting it under .83.

[thomas_h @ Sep 12th 2006 5:11PM]

i'm considering getting this too while waiting for the real video iP

[thomas_h @ Sep 12th 2006 5:49PM]

i'm considering getting this too while waiting for the real video iP..

[the jack @ Sep 12th 2006 9:17PM]

No, that's where the headphone jack is. It's in the bump of the hinge.

[BrunoL @ Sep 12th 2006 6:09PM]

Am I the only one who noticed that it has no display whatsoever? Or am I blind and it actually has?

[btt @ Sep 12th 2006 6:25PM]

looks like the phone from Zoolander.

[rainking187 @ Sep 12th 2006 6:32PM]

Admit it, no one saw this coming. I guess it's neat, though do you really need a smaller shuffle? Hell, I frequently have a hard time finding my current shuffle. It seems more like it's small simply for the sake of being small.

[Bradc @ Sep 12th 2006 6:50PM]

I like it, the old Shuffle I never would have bought, it was too 'plain'. But this is pretty neat, small & convenient. This and the AlbumArt feature were the best events.