Ipod Shuffle -- Engadget

ipod shuffle posts

Mini MP3 DV Cam shoves a camcorder into old iPod shuffle enclosure

by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2009 at 11:29AM

Okay, so we know this version of the shuffle hasn't been on Apple's pages for a few weeks now, but there's still something curiously awesome about a shuffle with a camcorder. You know -- considering that the Cupertino-based company won't even add a video camera to the iPod touch. The Mini MP3 DV Cam, which is meticulously crafted by one Xiangyun Industry Co., Limited, seems to be a camcorder / camera alone, with no music playback functionality to speak of. Packing a 1.3 megapixel sensor capable of logging VGA-quality (640 x 480 resolution) clips, the device can also snag stills and store 'em on the user-provided memory card. The good news is that this gem costs just $15 to $30 depending on the amount you order; the bad news is the 100 item order minimum. Anyone down for a group buy? Bueller?

[Via Red Ferret]

Apple releases video podcast of Rock and Roll event, we've got you covered with the highlights

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 9th 2009 at 11:34PM

Need to catch up on today's Apple news? Well, you can either fire up iTunes and download Apple's video podcast of the event, or you can skip the endless game demos and marketing chit-chat and just peruse the links below. The executive summary? iTunes 9's new app management, Home Sharing, and iTunes LP features are really nice, but it's almost impossible to understand why Apple added a camera to the iPod nano and not the iPod touch, no matter what Steve says. Oh -- and don't forget the Palm Pixi!

The event

Live from Apple's 'It's only rock and roll' event
Video: Steve Jobs returns to the Apple stage

iPods

iPod nano unboxed, camera gets tested against the mean streets of Manhattan
iPod touch 3rd gen hands-on and video
iPod nano 5G with camera first hands-on!
Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition
Apple updates iPod touch line, drops prices, adds top-end 64GB model
Apple adds video camera, larger screen to new 5G iPod nano
iPod classic bumped to 160GB, price stays the same at $249
iPhone OS 3.1 is official, available today
iPhone / iPod touch OS 3.1.1 is live!
iPod shuffle 2g is no more

iTunes

iTunes 9 bringing iTunes LP functionality, 'beautiful new look'
iTunes 9 breaks Pre media sync... what did you expect?
Video: iTunes 9 Home Sharing and iPhone app management

iPod shuffle 2G is no more

by Vladislav Savov posted Sep 9th 2009 at 9:32PM

Every highly-polished stainless steel lining has a cloud, it seems, and today's music player overhaul by Apple has been no different. Amidst all the excitement about moderate improvements and video cameras, we've also had to say goodbye to an old friend. Having been kept around for six months after the release of its successor, the second gen shuffle has finally succumbed, leaving the newly colorful 3G option all on its lonesome in the minimalist music lover space. Ah well, if you really have your heart set on the old rocker, refurb models are still available at Apple's online store, though probably not for long.

[Via iLounge]

Continue reading iPod shuffle 2G is no more

Apple announces cheaper, more colorful iPod shuffle, new Special Edition

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 9th 2009 at 12:50PM

Well, it wasn't high on the rumor list, but it looks like Apple didn't forget about the humble iPod shuffle amidst all its other iPod news, with it taking the opportunity to both lower the price and add a much needed dash of color to the lineup. Now starting at just $59 for a 2GB model and $79 for a 4GB, the shuffle is also available in your choice of pink, green, or blue in addition the usual silver or black, as well as in a new, all stainless steel 4GB Special Edition for a premium price of $99 (which also just so happens to be an Apple Store exclusive). Not much else new, as you might expect, but Apple is also promising that more iPod shuffle-friendly headphones will soon be available, in case that's the one thing that's been keeping you and the voice apart all this time.

Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 21st 2009 at 9:23PM

Readers, don't act like you're appalled that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. If anything, you should be amused that this mod consists entirely of an old iPod shuffle KIRF shoved into the battery compartment of a Wiimote game controller. See for yourself after the break.

[Via Technabob]

Continue reading Wiipod modder shoves an MP3 player in his Wiimote, calls it a day

iLuv's iEA15 adapter lets any headphones work with VoiceOver, iPhone

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2009 at 9:21AM

The suits in Cupertino already confirmed the existence of a proprietary chip in the new iPod shuffle headphones, but if you're squarely in the tin foil hat crowd, we've got one more shred of evidence to win you over. iLuv's newest adapter, the iEA15, outrightly asserts that it is "equipped with a remote control chip provided by Apple, Inc.," but it's the functionality of said adapter that has our interest piqued. Rather than settling for a set of VoiceOver-capable earbuds that you aren't really fond of, this here go-between enables any headphones with a 3.5 millimeter jack to connect with (and control) Apple's newest shuffle. Moreover, it'll play nice with the iPhone family as well, and the built in microphone enables you to handle a call without ever removing your 'buds. The frightening part is that no price and release date have been set, which probably means iLuv's lobbying to get that Made for iPod tax down in order to not charge $50 for this thing.

[Via CNET]

Lawsuit alleges Apple conspired with Mafia, put hidden receivers in iPods for transmitting death threats

by Ross Miller posted Jul 20th 2009 at 9:59PM

What you are about to read is from an actual court filing. Gregory McKenna has filed suit against Apple, which he alleges is conspiring with the mob in an effort to coerce him to return to a New York-based modeling agency he quit in 2000. As explained in the 124-page complaint, an iPod shuffle he bought on eBay in 2005 and an iPod mini he bought new from an Apple store in 2006 -- possibly a nano, as minis were discontinued a year prior -- both contain receivers that have allowed the Mafia to send audio death threats that play in tandem with his music. The suit seeks $14.3 million total and lists ten defendants in all, including a local mechanic, a private investigator, the St. Louis Police Department, the FBI, and the US Department of Justice. While our initial reaction is to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, it's hard not to feel sad for McKenna and his state of mind -- of course, if by some stroke of fate he manages to prove it was all one big conspiracy perpetrated by the Mafia, well, guess we'll be ending up with egg on our faces.

[Via TUAW]

Scosche tapSTICK adds hard buttons, purpose to new iPod shuffle

by Darren Murph posted Jun 6th 2009 at 2:42PM

We appreciate Apple's efforts to make the iPod shuffle into something that no one's ever done before, but seriously, the no-buttons approach is sort of, um, annoying. Thankfully, the good guys and gals over at Scosche are totally in agreement, and thus, they've taken the time to develop the remarkable tapSTICK. Put simply, this 3rd-gen iPod shuffle case protects one's player from the elements while adding hard buttons that simulate the commands on Apple's own VoiceOver-friendly earbuds. The result? An MP3 player that's not partial to lackluster white 'buds, not to mention one that you can actually control with relative ease. Too bad it'll cost you $29.99, but we suppose that's the going rate these days to extinguish frustration. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Scosche tapSTICK adds hard buttons, purpose to new iPod shuffle

Ozaki iCommand Controller bridges the iPod shuffle / headphone divide

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 4th 2009 at 5:57PM

We've seen USB adapters and chocolate-flavored cases, but we're guessing this is the iPod shuffle 3G accessory most folks have been waiting for: an adapter that'll finally let you use your headphones of choice with the diminutive player. While its glossy, seemingly plasticky finish doesn't quite match up with the shuffle itself, it looks Oazki's iCommand Controller will get the job done, with it packing some tiny volume controls on one side and play/pause/track controls on the other, plus that all important proprietary magic inside.. No word on a price just yet, unfortunately, but you can get a closer look at it courtesy of iLounge at the link below.

Keepin' it real fake, part CCXIV: Fake iPod shuffle offers most of the minimalism, none of the perks

by Paul Miller posted May 28th 2009 at 2:45AM

The current generation iPod shuffle is a funny beast in its own right, but the "Clip-On Mp3 Shuffler Player" from Digital Rise really takes the form factor to new comic heights. There appear to be two physical buttons, a presumptive hold switch, and no headphone controls to speak of. At the same time, the player packs in FM radio, audio recording, an equalizer, a bevy of playback modes and even tempo adjustment. We're sure Digital Rise has solved the usability problems here with unwavering elegance.

[Via PMP Today]

ChocoShuffle iPod shuffle case could be chocolate, could be laxative

by Thomas Ricker posted May 8th 2009 at 5:32AM

Just because you can fit Apple's tiny iPod shuffle into just about any orifice doesn't mean you should. The ChocoShuffle by SwitchEasy costs ¥980 (about $10) in Japan. But seriously, is that all your dignity is worth?

Video: Blade Runner starring the iPod shuffle and Kindle 2

by Thomas Ricker posted Apr 24th 2009 at 5:25AM

You've probably heard the text-to-speech capabilities of the Amazon Kindle 2 and iPod shuffle by now. But you probably haven't heard them act out Leon's VK test from Blade Runner. Check the newest nerd-legend after the break, then come back and tell us about your mothers.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Video: Blade Runner starring the iPod shuffle and Kindle 2

$22 iPod Shuffle shocker: components tiny, inexpensive

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Apr 13th 2009 at 10:23AM

When iSuppli recently reported that the parts and packaging of the iPod Shuffle 3G cost only $21.77, a mere twenty-eight percent of the unit's retail price, PMP Today asked a most reasonable question: Where are the new Shuffle KIRFs? According to Business Week, Samsung is making a killing on these things, supplying not only the unit's ARM-based processor ($5.98), but the storage ($6) on at least a few of the units as well. The lithium ion battery, described by iSuppli as "the smallest we've ever seen," has an asking price of $1.20. As for things like capacitors and resistors, they're being described as "about the size of a grain of salt" and cost fractions of a penny each. Of course, none of this takes into account things like paying engineers and designers, and royalties paid to patents owned by other companies. Not that the KIRFsters of Shenzhen worry about these sorts of things. Maybe the wherewithal required to produce a phony Shuffle is (for the time being) beyond the capabilities of the pirates? Or maybe they're just having too much fun cranking out NOKLAs.

Read - iPod Shuffle 3G Costs $22 to Make: Where are the Clones?
Read - Deconstructing Apple's Tiny iPod Shuffle

Apple releases iPod Shuffle VoiceOver Kit 1.0.1 upgrade

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Apr 10th 2009 at 9:03PM

You know what really gets on our nerves? When we're listening to Van der Graaf Generator (look it up!) on our newfangled iPod Shuffle and it pronounces the band's name wrong. Seriously, this is an important function. Without it working flawlessly, how are we going to know the names of the tracks we purchased on the iTunes store and placed on the device ourselves? Thankfully, someone at Apple has heard our prayers, and as of today the VoiceOver Kit 1.0.1 is available via Mac OS X software update (we're assuming that it'll pop up on the company's website at some point). The 17MB download corrects pronunciations for several artist names, as well as correcting a few "minor bugs." What bugs? Apple hasn't said. They also haven't said which names will now be pronounced correctly in that cold, robotic voice, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that Klaatu is among them. Remember Klaatu? They were pretty sweet.

Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts?

by Darren Murph posted Apr 10th 2009 at 1:03AM

No need to twist your dial -- you really have just stumbled upon this week's episode of Ask Engadget. You know, the place where you can send in your question to ask at engadget dawt com and hope to see it plastered for the world to have a think on. This week we've got one from J.S., so we'll let him take it from here:

"The new iPod shuffle is so small you can simply clip it onto your shirt while running or working out. However, I'd never buy it because of two reasons: iTunes and the fact that I'd have to get a new pair of headphones that has the Shuffle controls or use the subpar included ones. So, what's the best small (close to Shuffle-sized) MP3 player for a gym rat like me that doesn't require iTunes?"

We've no doubt that legions of you fitness freaks can chime in here, so next time you take a breather, drop some knowledge in comments below.