New iPod shuffle first hands-on (with video!)
By Paul Miller 
posted March 12th 2009 12:48PM
posted March 12th 2009 12:48PM
Update: In-depth impressions are after the break, along with video!
Setup
Unboxing wasn't the Apple's best, but it was easy enough to get at all three components in there: the shuffle, the earbuds and the USB adapter. Setup was similarly slightly more complicated than the regular iPod, since in addition to requiring an update to 8.1, it required an installation of VoiceOver -- it all happens quite automatically with a couple clicks of automation, but it's an extra step all the same.
The actual formation of VoiceOvers for our tracks and playlists was easy enough that it was actually difficult to even spot iTunes working on it. Since our iTunes library is larger than 4GB, we built a few playlists, set them to sync with the shuffle, clicked sync and were ready to go in seconds. According to Apple, the space used up by the VoiceOvers on the shuffle is "negligible" and doesn't impact that vague "1000 songs" figure.
Usage
Excuse the audio, we had to tape the earbud to our camera mic for obvious reasons (to Apple, anyway). Also note that VoiceOver mispronounces the words "live," "VH1" and "Pitchfork."
The controls are harder to use than a traditional shuffle button layout, and it depends on how you wear the shuffle as to whether the placement of the controls on the cord is better than having them on the player. That said, it's really not difficult at all to use even the most "advanced" features here (like playlist browsing) and Apple has essentially made the controls to train you to delve into that functionality.
With the newer iPods and iPhones people are already used to pausing and starting the music with a click, and double clicking for skipping forward isn't much of a stretch. A triple click to skip backwards seems like the silliest gesture here -- and really, would it have been so hard for Apple to put a set of controls on the player? -- but it's not a deal breaker. The track identification and playlist features, however, both being unavailable on the original shuffle, would have required some learning any way you slice it, unless Apple were to add a button or two to the original layout -- something they're none too fond of doing.
Holding the button to hear the track name is simple and easy, and to go to the playlist mode, you just press and hold long enough to hear a beep. After that the shuffle just starts reading off names of playlists, you don't need to keep clicking to tab through them, and a single click sends you to one of the playlists. If you don't hear anything worth jumping to, you don't need to touch anything and the shuffle will return to the music you were playing. Both the song identification and playlist features speak over top of the song you're currently playing, which fades in and out accordingly.
Hardware
The player itself makes the old shuffles like almost giant in comparison. Its featureless face might be a bit odd if it weren't for the fact that your thumb covers the entirety of the player when you hold it. The shiny clip in back is impressively strong, and gravity should have a tough time knocking this off your workout clothes. Though suspiciously small, the off / shuffle / loop switch is easy enough to toggle with a fingernail.
Unfortunately, Apple's biggest mistake here might be with the one thing it didn't change: the earbuds themselves are terrible at staying in most ears, which just doesn't fly for a player that's primarily designed for workouts and those "on the go." It's also a needless hassle to buy an adapter cable to output songs to a stereo or a car -- Apple itself had a hacked cable to demonstrate the player to us with a sound system. Interestingly, you can plug a regular old pair of headphones into the player, turn it on, and it'll play music just fine -- you just don't have any playback controls. The stop / start button on existing Apple headphones does nothing.
Wrap-up
Still, people seem quite satisfied to put up with this sort of inconvenience and hassle when it comes to Apple, and with design, size and build quality like this, not to mention the welcome addition of VoiceOver, we imagine those third party accessory makers are going to like this new shuffle just fine.
What plays when you press UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A SELECT START?
http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/06/incipiobud-lets-you-jack-into-your-2g-ipod-shuffle/
Read the first two comments, they almost had it right.
i use my own headphones with my current shuffle because the apple ones are terrible and also use it in the car which means the new shuffle would be almost useless to me as i would have no control over the music being played. its not like i want alot of control either, im fine without a screen telling me what song is being played - after all, theres not alot of music on there and i know roughly whats coming on next if i just press play. id just like to be able to skip a few tracks or repeat one every now and again. i cant see why apple have let the good new features like 4gb, smaller size and playlists be let down by the remote being built into the headphones. why not have the buttons on the shuffle again or some sort of adapter to make it work with 3rd party headphones/stereo jack because until apple or a 3rd party introduce some accessory to make it work for me, i wont be getting one
How hard is it really to put some, maybe five, buttons on the front of that thing?
I'm waiting for the next version. In addition to having no screen and no buttons, it will also feature no earphones.
Aha!
So Paul Miller uses a Mac, hey?
loving my 512MB shuffle, oh it even looks like the original as well...
seriously though, it would be easy to put a button or 3 on the player itself. I understand the catering to work out people, have been running for decades now, and when i do, i do not fuss around with wanting to look at a display, nor do i want to monkey with the damn thing. turn it on and i run, adjust volume possibly, end run, be happy. (heck i remember running b4 walkmans were invented)
"Totally usable?"
That video was awfully frustrating to watch....
Especially how the guy presssing the buttons looked like he didn't know what he was doing
like, he made it louder but he wanted to make it quieter and it ended up just pressing a bunch of buttons
wtf.
hehe... i wonder how it will pronounce my non-english collection names :-)
Nice choice of music.
There is enough room on the shuffle to have put the controls onto it instead of the earphones.
I think that the previous version with 4GB might have been a better way to go. Maybe make it a bit smaller and thinner.
I'm not really in the market for a shuffle, though. I use my older Nano for Nike+ running -- I don't even have any music on it. I use my iPhone for pretty much all music and online streaming.
The shuffle will probably do well as a gift item when you don't want to spend a lot, when you still want something engravable, and when you want something that is just ridiculously simple to use.
Seems like sloppy VoiceOver programming. Some of the solutions for the mispronounced words seem pretty easy. For most music, "live" is going to be pronounced with a long 'i,' especially when it's at the end of the title. And most acronyms (like VH1) should be pretty easy to recognize with the sequential capital letters. And for "Pitchfork?" That's just stupid, Apple.
Confirmed just to say that this is the most stupid and useless thing i've ever seen.
So when you accidentally wash the earbuds, you have the world's tiniest brick.
One of the stupidest ideas I've seen come from Apple. Those who use the shuffle want ease of use: people who work-out and dont need a screen, but who may burn through headphones or need headphones with special features due to harsh environment they are put in... weather, sweat, jarring motions (like in running or mountain biking) etc.
I was thinking of buying two of the 2nd gen Shuffles before the stores were out of them. Just pulled the trigger today. Ominously, when I checked the prices of the 2nd gen out after 3rd gen announcement, they were lower than the price I paid today. Get it? Other's are having the exact same reaction I did and are buying up the old 2nd gen versions..... quickly enough to drive the prices on those units back up!
Wish I hadn't waited to do the same.....
So much tech drops everyday that this is just a drop in the bucket. Anyway,this is a cool product. Hell and if you don't like it don't buy it. And please, don't say Apple screwed you cause they didn't. You have choices so make them at your own discretion.
Hey, I've been trying to rank up the HR2 in monster hunter freedom for a while. I need help with the Four Horns urgent quest. So if there are any players in Florida, please hit me up cause I need some help. Peace.
Got to get back to Modern Phy 2 homework.
Biophysics major.
thats awfull what happends when the headphones die and I have to spend and 80 bucks for new headphones everytime ??
not cool will not buy awefull idea by apple 0/10
Found new company that already has the silicone sleeves on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/riotoutfitters. New iPod Shuffle silicone sleeve 3-pack and product packaging preview of RIOT Outfitters line coming to Best Buy on 4/26/09. Product video leaked on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d9TqEvWdjk. Cool packaging. What do you think?