ipodshuffle
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SwimMan's waterproof iPod shuffle: it's what's inside that counts
Look, a waterproof iPod shuffle! Yes there, pictured to the right. Where's the big bulky case, you ask? Ain't none... the waterproofing is on the inside this time kids. That's right, SWIMMAN has turned an honest-to-goodness second generation iPod shuffle into a "100% waterproof" player capable of operation in waters up to 10 feet deep. You can't scuba with it, but it'll clip onto the back of your googles just fine if you're a swimmer. Hell you can even wear it the shower... assuming you can find something to, uh, clip it to. Now the price: $150 for just the waterproofed iPod shuffle or $250 for the shuffle with a waterproof headset and a 1-year limited warranty... 'cause you know Apple won't cover it. More pics including the orthopedic headphones after the break.
PSA: how to spot a new silver iPod shuffle
If you're browsing the wares at your local iPod-peddlin' location, but don't want to look like a fool when you get home and discover you just bought a silver shuffle with the old school headphones -- or perhaps the inverse is true -- then you might be pleased to hear that it's easy to spot the difference: the brand new silver shuffle has silver accents on the cardboard backing, while the old version was dressed up with green. Happy hunting![Via Cult of Mac]
What color iPod shuffle are you getting?
You have had a day or so to think about the new, and colorful, iPod shuffles. Sure, none of the specs have changed but don't they all look so pretty?Our question to you, dear readers, is a simple. If you were going to buy an iPod shuffle today what color would you pick? Call me a stick in the mud, but I think that the gray one still looks best.
iLounge on the new Shuffles
I haven't even seen one of the new iPod Shuffles in the wild, but our friends at iLounge already have all 5 types. They posted a nice photo gallery giving you all the details about what comes in the box (mostly unchanged) as well as listing 5 key facts about the new shuffles.The biggest news, other than the colors, is that the shuffles now come with the improved Apple earbuds.
Colorful new iPod shuffles live and in person
The expedient iPod fanboys over at iProng already got some hands-on time with the new iPod shuffle colors. Nothing much to see, of course, other than the shuffles being photographed by mere mortals. After browsing through the pics, we have a few notes: A.) There are five different colors. B.) All five shuffles, while being different colors, are all shaped the same. C.) We aren't really being all that clever with this whole list thing. As reported before, the headphones are indeed the fancy new curvy kind. Interestingly, iProng mentions that Apple's low-key announcement of colorful shuffles "might have been a bit too low-key," since "no one knows they exist yet" according to an Apple Store employee. In fact, the five shuffles iProng purchased were more than had been purchased the whole day long, even with nice stacks of shuffles prominently displayed behind the counter. Oh well, Apple, can't win 'em all.
High res pics of first orange iPod
AppleInsider has some nice, high res photos of the new orange iPod shuffle, the first orange iPod. You can check them out here.*Note that Apple has packaged new earbud headphones with the colorful shuffles. If you still prefer grey but want the new headphones, get a package with black lettering, and not green (those are the "old" ones, which contain with the original headphones).*Yes, at the end of the day it's just pictures of an iPod, but you still looked, didn't you?
Doin' the Hipster Shuffle
I'm a fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done. As such, I always have my Hipster PDA with me, as well as my iPod. What if I could combine the two..?Andrew at Restless Dreaming has done it with the Hipster Shuffle. Just replace your hPDA's binder clip with an iPod shuffle (now in color!). Rock out while getting things done. I like it. You can see the Hipster Shuffle in action here.[Via 43Folders]
iPod Shuffle comes in colors
This morning's Apple Store downtime was chromatically inspired: the iPod Shuffle now comes in five colors, same as the Nano but with orange substituting for black. Is it just me, or are these the same colors as the gumdrop iMacs? No "grape," but otherwise pretty close. Now your Valentine can have a Shuffle to match his/her soulful eyes. Even after a weekend-long bender.Thanks to everyone who sent a heads-up on the store downtime and the new Shuffles.
iPod shuffle -- now with color
Well hello new iPod shuffles. Breaking free from their bleak battleship-grey origins, the $79 iPod shuffle now hits in your choice of pink, green, blue, and even a new tasty orange flavor. Still 1GB, still 12 hours of battery, and yes... available with free laser engraving just in time for Valentines Day.Update: We got so distracted by all those flashy colors, we forgot to mention the neatest part of the announcement. You might remember the (minor) public outcry at Apple's failure to include those snazzy new iPod headphones with its 2G shuffle, especially considering the fact that the first time we got our hands on one, Apple was showing it off with the new headphones in tow. Well now it looks like Apple has finally gotten with the program and is including the new headphones with the 2G shuffle. Thanks, Christopher K. for pointing this out.
Found Video: iPod Shuffle commercial
Do you remember that Michael Jackson video? The one where people's faces morphed into other people's faces? This video is kind of like that. Except that it's more like one person's abdomen getting replaced by another person's abdomen. Sort of. It's actually a pretty cool commercial. I really enjoyed it and have now rewatched it several times. Just be careful while changing shirts while listening to your shuffle. In real life, you do not turn into another person. Your shuffle merely gets caught in the buttons. Thanks Matthew Update: At first glance we thought this was a new ad, turns out it is the same at the US ad that appeared awhile ago. On the bright side, the US ad is no longer available on Apple's website, so if you want to save the ad to your machine here's your chance. See? No need to freak out in the comments about this.
Luxpro wins Apple copycat suit, proceeds to copy again by countersuing
The financial troubles for Apple just don't seem to end. Luxpro – the Taiwanese manufacturer known for its MP3 player that closely resembled the iPod shuffle – has emerged victorious in the lawsuit filed by Apple, and is planning a countersuit for lost sales. Originally hitting the scene with a supposed publicity stunt called the Super Shuffle, Luxpro then returned with a slightly modified version called the Super Tangent. With little variation between the two, Apple called foul and had an injunction placed on the Taiwanese company, banning the manufacturing and sale of its MP3 player. Well, after more than a year rumbling in the courtroom, Luxpro has come out on top, with the Shihlin District court claiming the two devices were "significantly dissimilar." With one win in the bag, Luxpro plans to countersue Jobs and Co. to the tune of $100M for the sales it lost due to the injunction. While this victory may send ripples through the copycat market, we doubt it will stop Apple from sending out the hounds lawyers again on other companies in the future. [Via iLounge, thanks Jose L.]
Software Update: iPod Software 1.0.2 for the 2nd gen iPod shuffle
Upon careful inspection of Mark's email, it turns out there's an update for the new iPod shuffles, too. Version 1.0.2 brings us - you guessed it! - bug fixes. I don't have a 2G shuffle handy to confirm, but Mark was correct the first time, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Anyone with a 2G shuffle out there who wants to check it out? Any other iPod updates today we haven't discovered yet?
Mophie Wraptor for 2nd gen iPod shuffle
Mophie has these cool new cases for the new iPod shuffles. The Wraptor doesn't just protect your tiny iPod with a composite Lexan shell, it provides convenient, tangle-free headphone/earbud storage as well. It does so with a precision engineered groove that goes around the entire case so you can wrap your wires around neatly and snugly.Although I only see the crystal clear cases on their site right now, I'm told there will be other colors available, like pink, smoke and blue. Looks pretty good for $10! Stocking stuffers, anyone?
iPod ShuffleBud USB adapter for 2nd gen iPod shuffle
For many people, the appeal of the original iPod shuffle was that it had the form and function of a plain old USB thumbdrive, aside from being an awesome MP3 player. The 2nd generation iPod shuffle is an even more awesome MP3 player, and has an even better form factor, but lost it's ability to function as a USB thumbdrive without having to use the new dock.The ShuffleBud, by Incipio (which we think rhymes with C3PO), solves that problem, and it does it for only $5.99 USD. The ShuffleBud is what Apple should have just tossed in the box to begin with, although I am starting to think that Apple deliberately omits certain features in order to keep the multi-billion dollar iPod accessory market thriving, which isn't such a bad thing. ShuffleBud is just a small (5.6 grams, 47mm X 16mm) USB to 3.5mm adapter that enables you to plug your 2G shuffle directly into an available USB port without having to use the iPod shuffle dock, making it much more convenient to shove in your pocket or clip to your bag with the included lanyard loop for those who are always on the go and don't need more gear in their bag.[via iLounge]
USB sync cable/charger for your 2nd gen iPod shuffle
I love the second gen iPod shuffle, but having to use the little dock to charge and sync it is a little bit of a drag. Sure, the dock isn't bulky but when I'm traveling I just want to take a cable with me and be done with it.Luckily, for our Japanese readers at least, Diatec will soon be releasing a cable that plugs into the minijack on the shuffle and then into any USB port you choose. Pretty darned sweet. They will also be selling a charger that you can plug directly into an outlet to charge up your iPod shuffle on the go. These should be available sometime this month in Japan.[via Engadget]
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]
BenQ's new MusiQ has sights on shuffle crown
While apparently this BenQ MusiQ player has been making the rounds in China for a little while now, it's the first we heard of it, and we're definitely impressed. While the diminutive player might not be quite as tiny as the iPod shuffle, not to mention the fact that Apple is about the only company that seems to be able to get away with producing a screen-less player anymore, the addition of a microSD slot sure is quite the feat. We're also kind of digging the neck chain headphone cord integration (peep the pictures after the break) -- even if it is a wee bit shiny. Unfortunately, the built-in memory is a mere 512MB, though microSD does alleviate that concern a bit. The player is currently available for 688 HKD, about $88.50 US. Click on for a bunch action shots.[Via The MP3 Players]
Apple posts new iPod shuffle ad
Apple premiered a new iPod shuffle ad today (I saw it while watching Heroes). There are no dancers in sight, in fact all you see are torsos putting on different pieces of clothes and attaching an iPod shuffle to them. All of this whilst Who's Gonna Sing? by The Prototypes is playing in the background. The ad ends with the slogan, 'Put some music on.' Oh, so clever Apple!
Found Footage: Zune upstaged by a Shuffle
The Zune might not be the most popular topic here at TUAW, but this video from CNN is too good not to share. The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin was on to show off the Zune and give his opinion of it (he thinks it has potential, but isn't up to the iPod yet), however, watch until the end to see the real star of the segment, the new iPod shuffle. One of the anchors says, while holding her shuffle, 'Why would I buy that [meaning the Zune]?'Probably not the reaction our friends in Redmond are hoping for. This is the last Zune related post from me for a week.[via TUG]
Understanding the lights on the 2nd gen Shuffle
Got a new 2G shuffle? Do you know what those status lights indicate? Do you know the difference between the green-orange-orange pattern[1] and the green-orange-green-orange[2] one? What about a continuous blinking orange light[3] or red light[4]? Apple now has a nice little support article available that explains all the subtleties of the 2nd generation iPod shuffle light patterns and what they mean, complete with easy-to-follow dot patterns. I'm not sure how useful this will be to readers with color-blindness, but for the rest of us it's a pretty fascinating read. [1] iPod shuffle error. You're going to have to restore the little bugger. [2] Your music was not loaded properly. [3] iPod is busy. Do not disconnect. [4] Your battery is about to die. Right. Now. [5] There is no footnote 5. Does anyone have some chips or pretzels?
