We were wondering why the new
voice-enabled iPod shuffle even has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack since it's controlled by proprietary headphones, and we just got the answer: non-Apple headphones will require a special dongle that includes the new three-button controller, and Apple says it's working with third parties to bring other compatible 'phones to market. Yes, Apple's cheapest iPod is now the most needlessly complex, and far from cost-effective if you want to use your own cans: assuming the adapter will cost between $20 and $30 like most other Apple accessories, you're looking at minimum $100 outlay for the new shuffle, and at that point you might as well pick up a $150 iPod nano, which is also VoiceOver-enabled in addition to having twice the storage, dongle-less controls, a screen, and numerous other features. We'll see if this thing is so tiny these concerns wash out when we get one in our hands, but does anyone actually feel like the numbers tip in
favor of the shuffle here? We're all ears.
P.S.- Yes, we know $100 can get you any number of fine non-Apple players, we're just talking about Apple's price points. Feel free to suggest your favorite alternative, though!
Update: Apple called to clarify that the nano doesn't have the exact same VoiceOver feature, which is shuffle-exclusive; the nano does "spoken menus" but doesn't say track names as you skip around. We're getting a full list of differences between the two systems, we'll let you know if there's anything else major.
posted March 11th 2009 1:21PM
I don't think the Nano has Voiceover - it isn't listed anywhere on the nano page.
Or you could just use the standard headphones. Many people seem to hate them, but in my opinion there not that bad really. And if you do want those freaky priced 120$ headphones, you would probably also have the money for a iPod nano/classic/touch. I guess Apple just makes the shuffle for people who just want an easy to use super portable music player, and not for people who say they can hear difference between 120$ and 140$ headphones. (which they probably can't)
my two cents..
i own a 512MB Shuffle that still works and sounds great
i own a Rockbox'd Sansa E200 series, small screen, but works just fine...
i own a decent pair of budget friendly Jbuds earphones
-pro is that the new shuffle supports Apple Losseless which is how my 20 GB of music is ripped.
-pro supports multiple playlists....
con for Apple: I am perfectly content with what i already have.......which i doubt they care, there are enough people in this world that like to "upgrade" just because new product is out...
Seriously this is a bad design. Its not even practical anymore for the tended market which are the people that exercise. First off, the stock headphones are a joke and it never stays on in my ear while I run. I could just imagine trying to reach for the tiny controls while its flapping everywhere while I'm running. Its like trying to read a book while running, it doesn't work well together. Second, by offering the control dongle, wouldn't the controls be effectively dangling off your hip if you clip it there? Or if you have clipped it on your shirt, then you going to have excess amount of wires from your 3rd party headphones flapping everywhere. So if the 3rd party does make really short wires to make it shuffle friendly, will they add another 10 bucks to the price?
This is another gimmick apple is trying to pull to get customers to upgrade every year for essentially the same product. Too bad it just fails.
hahahahahahahha
I think over time this will make more sense. This controller is the new standard for Apple. Its on the new headphones they are selling. Its supported on the new Macbook, plug it in and all functions work. I think its a pretty appealing solution especially in terms of having a way to deal with volume.
3rd party companies will offer headphones and if you really don't want to switch I bet given this response they will offer the current shuffle for a while.
This isn't really a simple way to "think different." I like the old design better.
I used to have an iPod Shuffle but then I woke up one morning and there was a Sansa Clip on my pillow and I haven't looked back since!!!
In time everyone will see the advantage of this new system. Sure, we have all memorized which side of the wheel the volume up button is on the old shuffle, but with this new player we can simply attach it out of sight and forget about it. No more reaching in our pockets and clicking around. And I realize how trivial this sounds. Manufactures will do what they've always done, create accessory products to work with Apple products. This is the new direction -- headphones that are fully functional. One more point: the genius of Apple is their selfishness to do exactly what they want to do. Remember, no one is forced to buy their products.
They should have made the whole device clickable. Just sayin'.
This is absolutely ridiculous. I wish people would start opening their eyes and stop letting apple lock them into a world of proprietary crap. I like Apple products. I own a macbook, an 80gig ipod classic, and have had a 30gb iPod as well. But this is just going a bit too far. Vote with your wallets and make sure this piece of crap-pod falls flat on its face.
PS: I know that bit was a little too extreme, but I'm just fed up with what I'm hearing from and about Apple lately.
exactly! old MAC products were a driving force in technology now everything is a market scheme. people don't believe me until i show them but i have a mechanical wheel 20GB ipod classic.
the first gen is still the best. i know people may say i'm crazy but the sound was also better than the 2nd Gen shuffle. Maybe because it was plastic and has no moving parts (clip). the first gen had the USB attached too! this is one of the only apple products that has gotten worse with every new generation. next, ipods will only play itunes purchased songs.
Frankly speaking, this is no big deal for me, as I've never liked iPods anyway.
Yep, this is crap. But they will make a white tv ad with cool music and sell a lot of them.
Apple is stealing your money and you guys like it! Proof? A cheap GT 120 (alias 9500gt = 60$ at newegg) on the new 1800$ Imac.
Apple users simply don't know any better.
Apple consequently feeds off of their ignorance.
It's simple really.
this is a somewhat step backward in terms of controls and by that i mean the shuffle play, linear play and off switches. What IMO was a logical design was seperating the 'off buttton' from the 'shuffle and linear play' on the 2nd generation ipods. The amount of times i became so irate because of the design of the first one. This shuffle is now turning into a very costly venture and I think that I will be sticking with the 2nd generation of ipod shuffle because the machine was so well designed.
I'm still hanging on to the now defunct Dell DJ Ditty that came along with my XPS M170 3.5 years ago. 512 MB, FM/AM, buttons, tiny but clear back-lit screen, shuffle, repeat, continuous playback, not too big a form factor (I suppose no one thought of clips back then). It's easy to use the controls on it and it has a previous button and changing volume, etc. is a breeze while running.
I have never owned an iPod and doubt I ever will as this thing pretty much still meets my needs - play MP3s. Yeah, it's only 512 MB, and so I convert my MP3s to 64 kbps resulting in approx 200 songs on the device - decent enough quality for 45 to 60 minutes of gym use - all I need is some music to listen to while working out, not the feeling of being in a concert hall. I did buy Apple headphones (the only thing I have ever purchased from Apple) but the ear bud shells broke but thankfully they still work. Quite honestly, they were a waste of money due to poor quality compared to some 10 year old Philips ones I have.
I don't hate Apple - their OS does impress me immensely. However, stuff like this does make me wonder about their "innovative" abilities. It's like they have run out of steam and are simple coming out with changes to products that don't necessarily make sense to everyone. I would love to get my hands on a MacBook Pro some day when BDs finally make it to them. My XPS M170 is showing its age...
Just another example of Apple's "function follows form" philosophy. Some people like that, I'm just not one of those people.
Stupidest thing ever. Apple outdid themselves this time, it was hard to beat the stupidity of the original Shuffle, but they found a way.
Wouldn't own it if it were given to me. Besides, as noted, Apple products that are actually decent are not many more dollars, and a Zen 4 GB could be had for the same number of dollars.
Great, look so cool, i'd like to get one, and looking for whether it can put my dvd on new iPod shuffle, glad to find one which can convert dvd and video to new iPod shuffle, i find it at below;
http://www.dvd-ripper-copy.com/iPod-video-suite.html#116
Hey, I have an idea. I can type up a book as song titles and have the new iPod shuffle voice over feature read it! Gasp! Will the author's guild mad at Apple?
I think the next iPhone/iPod Touch will have this voice over feature too, and if Apple allow Amazon's kindle app to tap that...
i really hope apple is pulling an early april fool's joke
Funny, I've had voice command that does EXACTLY the same thing as this shuffle on my phone for years.
I have always said that the day Apple dont give a charger with their laptops will be the day that i dont by apple, they get closer to that every single month.....
Steve Jobs Has Died?
A hundred and thirty fucking dollars in Australia.
That's just under DOUBLE the cost of this in the US, not to mention OVER double the cost of the last-gen model.
I´m not a "fanboy" of any product or brand as I like to enjoy and appreciate the best products I can find, regardless of who´s making them. I use a Macbook and a Windows desktop, so I don´t feel the need to defend either company. It´s like the whole XBOXvsPS3 debate, totally childish and pointless. In a consumer market, the obvious choice is to buy what best suits your needs/budget, and if money is not an objection... get both!
Having said that, this product has been designed for a specific target audience, and as such, I believe it works. I own a iPod classic, and a Nano and if I needed a player for jogging or working out, this would be perfect, although the previous Shuffle would be suffice. The problem here is Apple make such appealing products, most of us instantly want one but don´t realize we aren´t the target audience for that product, hence the frustration with its limitations. If the Shuffle had a screen, buttons and could use any headphones, we´d want to buy it because it would be a (very nice looking) "Mini-Nano" but that´s not what Apple had in mind. For those that try to see it as a "Mini-Nano", it´s obvious all they see is "epic fail". Those that want a simple, compact, stylish mp3 player for when they are on the move, will find the new Shuffle to be a great evolution of the previous model. Maybe Apple should be more specific in it´s marketing and call this the iSport or something similiar... :P
I own a 2nd generation ipod shuffle and it's just fine, and very easy to lose and use.
WHY MAKE A SMALLER ONE???? MINE PRACTICLY FALLS THROUGH MY HANDS!!!
The new ipod shuffle, CRAP, Your telling me that i can't use any type of headphones i want!
CRAP REALLY CRAP, and when you are out in the cold, DO YOU WANT TO REACH ALL THE WAY UP TO YOUR HEAD TO ADJUST THE VOLUME??? IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS????
What if your headphones break...$$$$$$ think about it
IS THERE EVEN A PRACTICAL WAY OF FORWARDING THROUGH SONGS.
I thought apple was praised for having the scroll wheel and for it being so easy to use, WHILE YOUR NOT LOOKING AT IT!!!
WANT A SHUFFLE, GO WITH THE 2ND GEN OR ANOTHER BRAND........SERIOUSLY
what? a proprietary headphone jack from apple? i'm shocked!!!
it looks like steve jobs is alive and well after all.
I gotta get down to the shops and see if they've got any 2Gs left right now.
Proprietary being required in an accessory as basic as headphones is a bad idea.
I seriously love the people defending this by saying that they want the controls on the headphone wire, missing the point by a mile.
On-the-wire controls...while I don't care for it, -especially- if it means -no- controls on the device itself...I'm not going to gripe at them too much for the design risk other than saying I don't think it's practical. I'd rather be able to slap in a quick replacement set of headphones if the old ones break...and earbuds will break. It's just the nature of the beast.
The point:
On-the-wire controls are debatable but in the end, not so bad. On-the-chip lockdowns that prevent anything but first-party headphones working on the device is the rather crap move by Apple on this one.
cant seem to read posts
i have the new shuffle and the point of a shuffle is to SHUFFLE... if you wanna choose ur music go ahead get a nano, but the shuffle is there for people who r active and stuff... and the voiceover is nice because u can mix new music you may not know in with stuff u already do know and figure out what it is, yeah it pronounces some stuff wrong but who cares its new it'll get better