Bam, another
Apple rumor vindicated. Apple just doubled the capacity of its iPod shuffle to 4GB while ditching the control wheel entirely. The new design keeps the clip and adds VoiceOver -- a new feature that gets around the lack of display by telling you which song is playing and who performs it at the touch of a button on the earbud cable. It'll also call out your playlists and let you navigate to others. Available in black or silver for $80 and your claim to what Apple calls the "world's smallest music player." Check the video tutorial after the break.
Update: VoiceOver in English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
posted Mar 11th 2009 8:34AM
The controls are on the earphones? lame.
I'd never buy a Shuffle - there are too many LCD equipped MP3 players out there around its size that cost less.
I did however win 3 iPod Shuffle clipons in a raffle. I like their design because they are great for workouts and general mobility thanks to the clip.
No physical buttons on a unit are a big turn off for me. I should be able to use any headphones I want with my players.
baby cries : waaa waaa waaa i wan milk i wan milk, no i hate formula milkk, waaaa
thats you. *stewie points*
if agree
APPLE = FAIL
if agree? You fail!
I think the control in the earphone is a lame idea too. 50% of people can't stand those earphones anyway so they're forced to buy Apple's premium ripoff earphones.
Is this a joke? It's not April 1st yet.
See what happens when Jobs is out....
Worst iPod ever!!!
That's just... stupid. The Sansa Clip knocks the crap out of this piss poor effort.
Am I the only one who noticed that standard earbuds (without controls and stuff) are no longer available?
but how do I navigate backwards... the Apple store employee only told me how to "play, pause, and skip forward"
did I miss something? or did Apple miss something?
Nick M. : tripple click for back...
hahaha
this is the most stupid thing i have ever seen... i hope all this is a joke
@ Bolo
yea i noticed that too, but i don't think thats a bad choice really. even if your stuck with an old ipod (like me), these headphones still play music, and the controls are small enough not to be cumbersome.
Seems quite annoying that it's after the split so one of the buds have a weight on it, they should at least have it before the cable splits in two, but I guess then people would cut off the buds and solder on a socket eh.
And to be honest while enjoying music I would not want that voice ruining my mood either, but it takes all kinds I guess.
Probably the most set of lame comments I've ever seen.
Try to break it down:
-VoiceOver? Why is that bad? If it works good, I think it's much better than no display
-Apple headphones? The quailty isn't good BUT the purpose of shuffle is NOT to act like your main player, just for exercisev, running etc.
Worst iPod ever? Come on guy, finally Apple makes a brand new design AND introduces some features (all right to be fair one feature) AND bumps the capacity.
...where are her sisters?
@ iphonerulez
Enjoy your new shuffle. Most of us would rather spend our money on products that offer more features. Maybe it's just because I don't live in New York, but around here we don't walk around with our mp3 players held out in front of us for others to see. They normally go in a pocket or backpack so you can have your hands free to do other things. Of course you don't have to worry about that, all you need is your lips free to continue blindly kissing Steve's ass.
@ iphonerulez
The Shuffle is pretty much outclassed by a cheap Sansa Clip in everything besides the materials, what does that say about Apple?
I seriously thought the whole thing was a joke of some kind until I saw the video. Now I'm just scared.
Plus, OS-dependent voices? Something tells me this isn't gonna be pretty.
I never realized how much I hated standard music controls until I saw this thing.
I was thinking it was a bit lame to only be able to use standard headphones and only a few others with the shuffle (though I love my Shure SE210s with MPA adapter - I use it with my iPhone on the go and control iTunes on my MacBook too.) but then I thought, with a device that small, the headphone jack can't be that good quality. Is it really worth getting a pair of Shures or another expensive brand? Any audiophile who can afford an expensive pair of phones can afford a decent player as well. While I would go with an iPod nano for this purpose instead, a friend bought a previous generation shuffle, and while he would never listen to the iPod earbuds in any situation, he uses a just as cheap pair of over-the-ear headphones and the shuffle during work-outs (branded Philips, though I would be surprised if they designed the pair). And, they have the previous iPod brand to work off of. I can see the market.
I think iphonerulez' comment (and maybe even username) is meant to be sarcasm, but it's kind of hard to tell. I have, and like, the current model of Shuffle but after looking at the Sansa Clip online, I really want one - I'd gladly trade the Shuffle's sleek, sexy design for a display and FM radio.
The Sansa clip is no Rosie O'Donnell - she's more the cute girl who works at REI - not as glamorous as Heidi Klum, but still kinda hot and way more fun to hang out with.
I agree. Controls on the earbuds are stupid. I don't use Apple's horrible earbuds, but with the controls on them, you'd have to with this product. I don't think this will succeed, not like their other iPods.
The synthesized voice is horrible. When are we going to have the technology to make it sound like a normal human being? This is the same lame computer voice we've heard for the past fifteen years in software. And it would get annoying real quick. Shoot, I got annoyed just listening to it for a few seconds in that video. And audio players without LCD's are too clumsy to use - I want to read something quickly so I can quickly navigate, not go through the slow and annoying process of hearing it spoken to me.
Yuk. Pass.
"Amazing eh, apple forcing something on their users, who could have predicted that?"
I didn't know Apple hired men in black suits to put guns to people's heads and make them buy iPods.
I assume most of us use our shuffle for exercising. However, if you are a runner, you probably use headphones that will actually stay in your ears, as opposed to the crappy Apple headphones. Thus, this new shuffle is the worst design I have ever seen for runners. You can't use the Apple headphones to run if you want them to stay in your ears, and you can't use the new shuffle without the Apple headphones. Stupid!
@nerdtalker
The voices are OS-dependent because the voice isn't created by the shuffle, it is created by the connected computer and saved to the shuffle as a very small sound file. The apple version of iTunes is using the OS X built-in speech processing, while the Windows version of iTunes is using a speech processor built into iTunes.
How do I plug this into my Aux in port in my car AND control it?
Ahh, the internet, where cranky geeks bicker about controls on a music player I, for one, will focus my attentions on the pair of cloth wrapped ipods from the second gallery picture. Much better touch sensitive controls! =D
Apple - Removing essential product features since we got bored in 2005.
@Revels
"I didn't know Apple hired men in black suits to put guns to people's heads and make them buy iPods."
It's worse, they wear white semi-transparent suits, with turtle-neck sweaters.
Seems like Apple is doing SNL's job for them now... it's already a spoof.
Not yet small enough. When I can shove 8GB up my fingernails, then we can talk.
This is so unnecessary.
@Paul:
But also lot like Heidi Klum, the shuffle is the one you don't hesitate to introduce to you friends, and the one that's fun to use occasionally.
next youre going to tell me they took off the firewire on the aluminum macbooks and the new iMacs... oh wait...
I listen to Afghani music on my ipod, Voice Over is not going to work im not prepared to listen to horrible attempts at my ipod speaking Afghan.
controls on the earbud cord, does this mean we're stuck with shitty apple headphones to use this?
I think the assumption is that if you're only willing to pay $80 for a PAP, you probably won't be forking out for 3rd party earbuds. I feel like I have to say this every time, but this isn't meant for people like us; i.e. people who chuck the pack-ins the second they get the device. Most people are satisfied with Apple's earbuds, and so they should be: they're some of the best pack-in earbuds out there, and sound really great for their price.
Special_K, no problem with apples headphones on my iphone, but my shuffle has a a set of sennheiser pmxs because the original headphones kept falling out during a workout
would i buy a new shuffle and new headphones (if they do sports headphones with the control) probably not...
also my 1gb has enough room for no repeats during a 'sync cycle'
personally i think this is a miss
I'm guessing the Etymotic HF-2s will work.
By adding audio input to the Nano, and leaving a built-in microphone off the Touch, Apple was already pushing the use of a headset-headphone combination across their iPod line. The lack of physical controls on the Shuffle really pushes that trend all the way, though.
If you look at headset accessories in the apple store it lists some other headsets as compatible with this shuffle 3g.
Weird thing is, 2 of them don't list remote as a feature of the cable.
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_ipod/ipod_accessories/headphones?n=ipodshuffle3&mco=MTU4NDM&s=topSellers
Stuck indeed.
Bad decision Apple.
Amazing eh, apple forcing something on their users, who could have predicted that?
bottom line comment;
simply put shuffle is causing more stir than even all new line of nokia xpress music phone series release. Guess what shuffle will sell,,,to tweens. its all about the money,apple showing they have balls again. mp3 that talks to u?no buttons,no removable batterty,memory card. Sounds like im starting to describe iphone the revolutionary.,.,.,.,it will sell,,,,,,,success is measured by sales,ask any ceo..
No. There will be adapters for your existing headphones — or third-party headphones that will undoubtedly sound much, much better than the ones that it comes with.... kind of like every other portable music player ever in the history of the universe.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4973346/Apple-launches-new-talking-iPod-shuffle.html
@specialK: Agreed, this device is not for us. Apple's headphones are satisfying for the price of free (or included with the device) but NOT if you buy them separately. If your shuffle buds break, I would go with something like the Shure MPA or another headphone with controller because all iPods are compatible and if you upgrade, you can use the same headphones.
Oh great the 3rd party headphones on the store consist of a pair of Victors (JVC, Just very crappy) and the worst sounding pair of headphones Sennheiser makes. I'm a huge fan of Sennheiser, but those are good only if your running. Thats it the rest are crappy apple earbuds! Umm I think I'll hold on to my 2nd gen shuffle and pretend like this joke of a player never came out.
"sexy store employees."
Really? Where are you located? Never saw any of that here.
I've paid less than $80 for my much higher quality and much more functional Meizu M6, and decided to spend the rest on decent earphones. Hm.
Also, the Sansa Clip is supposed to offer very high sound quality (with shielded internals, IIRC), small size and a low price point. Why not get a decent player AND good sound quality? And a display. And buttons.
Looks like you have to use their headphones to control the thing.
Dumb
"Un-break my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt..."
*blip*
"The Song Track Three by Unknown Artist on Playlist My Gray-Eight Music"
"... so many nights
Un-break my heart
My heart..."
Damn i agree.. Track 07 by artist in track. I know people who have tags like these on their music.
That is dinky...and huge.
yeah, the last form factor seemed smaller. at least it still has an integrated clip. :/
And it TALKS!?
Talking.... The Current Nano can do this already!
It's strange Apple are saying "the first player that talks to you"
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2961
my Rockbox been chatting for some time now, no?
That's what she said!
@BuddyBoy: Like you mentioned, it's not the first that talks, but it is the first to say things like song titles and playlists which is more difficult than the nano's reading of menus which are unchanging and wouldn't require text-to-speech.
So they moved the controls to the headphone cord...which thus prevents you from using your own headphones. Nice going, Apple.
Yep... They did it with the new computers, forcing you to buy 100$ cable to plug a monitor, now they force you to buy new 70$ shitty apple buds when the first is broken (and they break fast).
yeah that is so unlike apple
To be fair, there are many cheap adapters out there, I got mine for $6 from amazon for my iPod touch. No volume controls, but I use headphones with that in-line.
I don't think it would be an issue. Why? I'll explain!
1. Are you really going to buy a nice pair of headphones, upwards off $100, for an $80 device? Probably not.
2. Imagine you're the demographic for this device - a tween-teenager, or a big runner or exercise guy (knowing your buds will get abused). Are you still going to drop $100 or more on a pair of headphones? Probably not.
3. There are a number of nice headphones that have controls. I use Shure's MPA with my iPhone, but there are a number of brands that have volume as well.
No, you'll just have to use a ~$10 adaptor. The VAST majority of shuffle users would never use another set of headphones anyways so integrating the controls just makes sense. When Apple crafts a device they think outside the box and consider every factor surrounding it's use so this makes perfect sense.
The shuffle fills a very specific niche of active people who want to integrate a simple music playing device into their workout. They want something that can start playing and continue to do so with minimal to no user effort. They don't sit around looking at a screen and usually clip the device out of sight anyways.
The small device with gorgeous screen and classic iPod controls that you're all wishing this was is called a Nano.
Simplicity to the extreme!? No controls on the unit itself? So Apple forces you to use their own earbuds only!
Simplicity to the extreme: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary
Anyone know how it docks/recharges? There aren't any pictures of the dock...
@tc
Actually, Apple outdid The Onion. At least that thing has controls.
Next iPod will have no buttons, no headphone jack, just a speaker. Then Apple can decide what you wanna hear, when you wanna hear it and how loud you wanna hear it.
These Apple posts are turning into the old Batman TV show.
While I'm here, I might as well add: isn't there a point at which, given increasing amounts of storage, a screenless MP3 player becomes a liability?
You forgot the new iTunes 8.1 too.
for everyone who hates the Apple headphones ---> cut off the cord and connect your own headphones .... Sony Ericson /Nokia have been doing this for YEARS!!
Unless you want to literally cut the Apple earphones off and splice your own in after the remote with a bunch of electrical tape, that's not an option here. There's no socket, the remote is hard-wired into the cable.
this is exactly what i meant, you could also just cut out the remote, and hook this up to any headphones you want, or just build yourself a detachable remote (you know hook up a female 3.5mm jack to the remote instead of the headphones... )
at the end , its still better than the apple headphones. the only problem would be the length of the cord ( I don'T have problems with that since i am 2.04m tall.... )
Or just buy a different PAP. Seems like a lot of effort for not reason.
For those of you haten' the controls on the ear phones think about it...
I am sure someone will make a little attachment that is a go between. You earphones plug into the device, and the device plugs into the iPod. The device has the controls on it.
Finally, maybe apple redid these headphones a bit. The jack has a different design. Maybe these are really good.
"Maybe these are really good."
That gave me a good laugh.
macboy14,
Keep the faith, man.
You still understand that Apple knows what's best for us.
It's stupid that people still try to make decisions based on personal wants and not based on what's best for Apple as a whole.
That is such a classic apple fanboy comment. "That's not a flaw - it's a unique feature!". You probably drooled over the Macbook Wheel. Only the diehards can take what is obviously a stupid design and justify it. Whoever is stupid to design some sort of workaround for this is missing the frigging point. They're going to make money off these earbuds when people lose them, breaks them, dogs chew them, etc. BTW - I own Apple stock, so I'm torn...
Why did you low rank me? Why are you killing me?
I did NOT say I like the design. I Just said that it is possible to get around it. And this:
"Finally, maybe apple redid these headphones a bit. The jack has a different design. Maybe these are really good."
Is called SARCASM.
Hmm, while I can see this as a huge negative that I can't use my own headphones with this, most people don't actually use other headphones, they simply don't know better. Ignorant, but still.
I think audiophiles will use higher models or other players (Not from Apple) so I guess this isn't a problem.
finally,someone else who gets what I've been saying!
LOL! I was looking for the buttons, then I realised there is none!
The controls are on the earbud cord! WTF what if i dont want to use the crappy white earbuds??!!!!
WTF!? indeed
their trying to control the headphone market now, from the new earphones one the for the touch and iphone
and now to these
this is nucking futs, how many minutes would it take me to skip a song, I might as well be listening to the radio
Finally something from Apple that lacks Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field (RDF)
well double tapping is easy
but switching play-lists?
Then you probably shouldn't buy it, huh?
ok two questions: does it work with other languages? and after watching the video, if those cheap (as in bad quality, because theyre actually expensive) apple earphones break, then i wont be able to use it unless I buy new ones? Sorry this is a lame update,
VoiceOver speaks multiple languages, so it’s perfect for cosmopolitan music libraries. Here are a few samples.
Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
meh
Is it me or is the on-off button crooked, I know apple has let their quality go but now even the renderings ( or pictures Im not sure which) are showing the quality slips. Is it to much to ask for things to be straight.
Who still buys a standalone flash mp3 player? 4 GB is a $20 flash card away and you can just use your cell phone, which has among other things a screen. And you're always carrying your phone anyway, so the size is essentially nil.
Can you tell me where you brought your nuclear powered cellphone???
For people that talk to much it is not practical to use their
cellphones as mp3 players...dummy
mp3 players on cellphones is for people that have their phones standby 70% of the time.
This is clearly made for people who run/cycle/exercise... you carry your cell phone on your person when you are at the gym?
The reason to have a shuffle is because it's smaller than even a cell phone, and gets out of the way easier.
@ Finnschi
"cut off the cord and connect your own headphones"
yea........
thats a retarted idea, if you are a real audiohphile and do not wish to use the apple headphones, cutting the cord & reconnecting the wires is retarted, as you thus mess up the integrity of the 99.9% oxygen free wires, meaning they will rust and your sound will be just as shitty after a while.
Im sure apple will bring out a remote to which you can plug in your own earphones.
I agree that their idea isnt the brightest though, also if you watch the video on their webpage and listen to the cool "voice" I can imagine it having quite a few problems when I add my spanish/german/english songs. (just try making your mac speak in a few different languages and you will see what I mean)
my 2 cents...
audiophile!! if you are an audiophile you wont be using a shuffle with apples horrible ear buds in the first place. Get real. Audiophile/mp3/apple ear buds are fundamentally at odds. Dumbass! Perhaps you would like to enlighten us further as to the composition of apple's wire too !! unbelievable...
99.9% oxygen free? who cares. this is an electrical signal were talking about, air isn't going to break a metal connection....
When did copper pick up the ability to rust? (it doesn't.... it can oxidize though) Here's a snippet from a Audioholics, a fairly well respected audiophile website/magazine:
"The fact of the matter is that OFHC copper and pure unalloyed copper, both oxidize at around the same rates. Some cable manufacturers use the OFHC as an advertisement that it will not oxidize, or it will oxidize less than other copper conductor materials, but there is no truth to these claims."
For that matter, does Apple state that they use oxygen free copper for their earbud wires? If so, I wasn't aware that of that. I completely agree that there should be a remote that will allow a user to plug in their own headphones though.
However, no audiophile worth his or her salt would possibly use any ipod for serious listening.
Ugly as hell!!!!
wow thats tiny...
Thats what Hannah said last night....
Oh yes the list is already out there. Bad journalistic Engadget...
http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/voiceover.html