Diatec's Mobile Cruizer for iPod shuffle: a mini charger and sync

If the über portable iPod shuffle were any more portable it'd be an implant. While bigger than the shuffle, the Mobile Cruizer from Japan's Diatec could still be of benefit to those on the go. For ¥3,400 or about $29, you get the convenience of being able to charge from any wall outlet -- no bigazz desktop or laptop required. Disconnect the "brick" and you can even charge 'n sync over USB when jacked into the computer. Goes live in Japan within the next few weeks.

[Via Impress]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 9:45AM]

Are they going to sell just the USB connector? Will it come to the States/UK?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 10:04AM]

this is the way apple should have designed it in the first place. A dock is great for the other models, but the shuffle shouldn't have come with one.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 10:29AM]

I agree.. the cable is a great idea.. and I dont really like the base.. but its nice...

and the base isn't even that big.. so I donno why you're calling it big-ass

*shrug*

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 10:56AM]

These have been available for quite some time...much cheaper and with a car charger too...

http://www.outletdude.com/store/product.php?1&pid=1454

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 1:18PM]

Ross:

I bought one of those auto/wall USB charger thingie's, but they do not seem to work to charge the 2nd Gen Shuffle! Works fine to charge a Nano though. I have no idea why.

Gargoyle

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 11:47AM]

Wait, the new shuffle connects thru it's headphone jack? Doesn't that result in REALLY slow transfer speeds?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 5th 2006 7:17AM]

The shuffle just uses the conductors in a modified 1/8" (headphone) jack to send and receive standard USB 2.0 signals. Different style plug and socket, same speedy goodness.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 4:08PM]

gid - when Thomas Ricker said "bigazz," he was talking about the computer or laptop to which you connect the shuffle in order to charge it, not the Mobile Cruizer.

Mrfreezie - with regard to file transfer speeds, the iPod shuffle is faster than the first generation shuffle, and a touch slower than the 2G nano: "The new nano took 3 minutes and 42 seconds to transfer our 928 Megabyte test playlist, while the old shuffle took 6 minutes and 26 seconds - less time than last year's test - and the new shuffle took 4 minutes and 33 seconds." ( http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/apple-computer-ipod-shuffle-second-generation/ )

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 4th 2006 7:33PM]

what happens if you accidentally (or purposely) put it in the headphone jack of another device?