ipodshuffle
Latest
How-to hack your own iPod shuffle USB adapter
We're pretty dang certain Thought Out won't be the only one cashing in on the 2G iPod shuffle's USB port omission, so you won't be wanting for cheap adapter options in a month or so, but if you'd like to stick it to The Man this fall and wire up your own damn USB port, well, you can do that too. German iPod site, iPodfun.de, has a nice little diagram and some machine-translated instructions showing you how to solder up an old USB cable to a 0.59 euro mini jack, saving you about $20 bucks, and gaining a bit of flexibility in the process.[Via MAKE]
Make your own iPod shuffle USB cable
What would we do without Germans? Well, we wouldn't be crafting our own hand make USB cables for our iPod shuffles, that's for sure. As you are most likely aware, the 2nd gen iPod shuffle is tiny. So tiny, in fact, that Apple had to eschew the normal USB port for a propriety solution that makes use of the headphone jack. Fear not, since the iPod shuffle does come with a dock, but people don't want to tote that thing around.Enter iPodFun.de and their tutorial (in German) that shows you how to make your very own travel USB cable for your shuffle. After you make it you can stick it in your homemade case and rock on.[via MAKE]
Flickr Find: Everyone really does like the iPod shuffle
Lots of wacky stuff finds it way into our Flickr pool. This just made me chuckle, and so I had to share (negative commenters be darned!). The caption is what really does it:Yoda: light and small these iPods i thought were Darth: well that's what the guy in the shop told me! Yoda: believed him you did like Palpatine....! Darth: oh give me a break - I was only a kid then! if you don't stop whining, you can use your force and carry this yourself!! Well done, yinyang, well done.
How to: Make a travel case for your second gen iPod shuffle
This How To might have a limited audience, since it is only relevant to people who own the following items: Apple in-ear headphones a second gen iPod shuffle The in-ear headphones come with a case that is suitable for use as an iPod shuffle case, with some alterations. Follow these instructions, which consist mainly of getting rid of the pins inside the headphone case, and you've got yourself an Apple branded shuffle case. Pretty sweet.[via MAKE]
Apple warns: Holding the Volume Down button while docking iPod shuffle may cause iTunes to ignore it.
There was a interesting Apple Knowledge Base article recently posted and we thought we'd share it here as a public service. We're swell like that.Article #304693Holding the Volume Down button while docking may prevent iPod shuffle (Second Generation) from being recognized by iTunesWhile connecting your iPod shuffle (Second Generation) to the dock, inadvertently pressing and holding the Volume Down button ( - ) may cause the iPod to not be seen by iTunes. If this happens, follow these steps: Mac users Remove iPod shuffle (Second Generation) from the dock. Reset your iPod shuffle (Second Generation). To reset, switch the power on, then off-and leave the power off for 5 seconds. This will reset your iPod. Reconnect your iPod shuffle (Second Generation) to the dock for it to be properly recognized. Windows users In the Notifications area of the Taskbar, left-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon. Note: If you don't see the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Taskbar, you can remove iPod shuffle (Second Generation) from the dock. Choose Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device - Drive(E:) from the shortcut menu. In some cases, the drive letter may be different. If you have other USB drives attached, you may need to repeat this if you're not sure which drive letter corresponds to your iPod. Reset your iPod shuffle (Second Generation). To reset, switch the power on, then off-and leave the power off for 5 seconds. This will reset your iPod. Reconnect your iPod shuffle (Second Generation) to the dock for it to be properly recognized. Has anyone actually encountered this issue yet? Can anyone figure out why the volume-down key would affect the iPod at all? And why only the 2nd gen shuffle? This is just too much for my addled brain to grasp at this wee hour on a Sunday morning.
Second generation iPod shuffle mod: Shuffle Phones
Alexander wasn't too happy that his brand new second generation iPod shuffle shipped with the previous generation iPod earbuds. The fit and fidelity of those 'buds just wasn't cutting it - so he took matters into his own hands and rigged up a pair of Shuffle Phones. "In an effort to correct the earbud shortcoming," he says," I realized I could combine headphones and a shuffle into a cords-free wundermusik contraption." The goal was to combine the portability of the iPod shuffle and high fidelity of full size headphones - while keeping the cords virtually invisible and to a minimum.This isn't the first time the iPod shuffle has been integrated into a pair of headphones. Alexander himself even proposed it for original shuffle. So consider this incarnation Shuffle Phones 2.0. THe process is very easy, of course. Just clip your new iPod shuffle onto your favorite pair of headphones, wrap the cord tightly and neatly around the headband and plug it in. The shorter the cord, the better it looks, but do you best with what you've got. Alexander's Sennheiser HD 212 Pros have an unusually long 10-foot cord, but it still looks pretty cool.As Alexander points out, due to the additional bulk, this rig isn't so great for jogging or exercising, but for studying, strolling or other low-key activities it works out quite well.
2G iPod shuffle review round-up
When the original shuffle launched, Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo claimed that the "whole industry will just laugh at it" thanks to its basic feature set. While executives at music companies may have had a few chuckles at the orginal shuffle behind closed doors, the power of the iPod brand combined with the simple design of the shuffle made it one of the most successful models in Apple's line-up. Now that the 2G iPod shuffle has hit the stores, Apple's competitors aren't laughing anymore, although the new shuffle isn't quite the technological revolution that Apple might claim it to be. iLounge and C|NET picked up on one particular problem that was previously the shuffle's forte: a distinct degradation in audio quality when compared with the first shuffle -- although it's worth noting that The Washington Post had no complaints in this area. Other niggles range from the inclusion of the "old style", ergonomically questionable earbuds to the stupid requirement that the user turns the shuffle off and on to check the battery life; all of which are insignificant when you factor in the new miniscule form factor, convenient clip, and improved price:capacity ratio. Unfortunately for Apple's competitors, at the moment the only significant distraction from the 2G shuffle's appeal is the new iPod nano range.Read - C|NETRead - iLoungeRead - The Washington Post[Image: This is what 200 iPod shuffles look like]
Thought Out KEY gives classic USB action to your 2G iPod shuffle
Thought Out has announced a new concept product, code-named the "KEY," which is designed to jack into the 2G iPod shuffle to create a standard USB 2.0 plug -- allowing you to "sync, charge, and transfer data like any standard USB drive." You'll be able to get a a $22 KEY in early 2007 to snuggle up to your shuffle -- that is, assuming you haven't lost your new friend in the couch before then.[Via iLounge]
This is what 200 iPod shuffles looks like
Email from a colleague today, regarding the new iPod shuffles:"(name removed) bought 200 (shuffles) at 5th ave store today, they had to scan the UPCs individually. Longest register receipt I've ever seen."My reply? "Scan the receipt!" He went one better...That's a sh*t load of shuffles. I'm just glad I'm not the one who has to load them all!Thanks, M!
Christmas comes early at Apple: free shuffles for all!
Whichever way you slice him -- cold, calculating genius, or harmless, lovable fuzzball -- Steve Jobs is nothing if not a total Apple fanboy. In fact, he's so into his own dogfood, that he's sharing the love with every single employee of Apple by handing out free 2G iPod shuffles to all. Everybody from corporate on down to retail is getting their very own $79 mini-mini-DAP to have and hold, as Stevie J. recently revealed via a company-wide email. Apple gave away free copies of the original iPod shuffle as well, back in the day, and employees can expect the new version in the mail by the end of the month.[Thanks, Caleb W.]
All Apple employees getting an iPod shuffle morale booster from Uncle Steve
AppleInsider says that Steve "Santa" Jobs is handing out a 2nd generation iPod shuffles to all Apple employees from execs on down to retail staff as a token of his affection morale booster. One can't help but wonder what kind of morale boost one expects to get with a mere $79 incentive, but it's the thought that counts, right? In all seriousness, I do think it's a cool move and I am sure it is much appreciated by the recipients. Then again, given Apple's problems with theft in the company store, perhaps this is just a preemptive measure to ward off sticky fingers? Employees have been told to expect their gifts before the end of the month, even though the iPod shuffle officially hit stores today. Expect many of them to end up on eBay within minutes of receipt.
2G iPod Shuffle stripped and left bare for the world to see
We've barely gotten a chance to get used to the new iPod Shuffle in the wild, but wouldn't ya know it, already people have taken it apart. Apparently to achieve this dastardly task you'll need a "spudger" (yeah, we had to look that one up too) and a #00 Phillips Screwdriver. There's not a lot to see but the logic board, flash chip, and battery -- but it's all there, in spilled electronic-guts glory.[Thanks, Sean]
iFixit disassembles 2nd gen iPod shuffle
You know the drill: Apple announces something, it starts shipping, people take pics of the unpacking, and then someone rips it apart (literally). iFixit has posted a disassembly guide for the 2nd Gen iPod shuffle, so if you want to make sure that there aren't little gnomes selecting the music for you, now you know how.Thanks, Jonathan.
First 2nd gen iPod shuffle unpacking pics
We knew they were shipping, and it would seem that some lucky folks have gotten their iPod shuffles. TUAW reader Markos has posted pictures of his unboxing ritual on Flickr. Oh, how I love to see pictures of people opening up new Apple products. Does that make me strange?Nathan sent us a link to his unpacking pics, which were taken in a softer light. Check 'em out.After the jump, a pic of Nathan's shuffle in the dock.
iPod shuffles coming to a store near you on Friday
We know that iPod shuffles are shipping directly from the factories in China, but Apple made it official. You should be able to find iPod shuffles in Apple Stores and Apple authorized resellers this Friday, November 3rd. $79 gets you this little 1 gig wonder, which also has its own special dock since it is darned small.Now, even if you aren't in the market for a shuffle let's take a moment to gaze at the amount of info Apple managed to cram on the bottom of the shuffle. Those elves in Cupertino really know a thing or two about design, huh?
Apple finally announces 2G shuffle retail availability
Us and Brad, we were on to Apple's game, since Brad let us know on Sunday that his 2G iPod shuffle pre-order was due for delivery on November 3rd; but now Apple has gone official with the November 3rd date for "worldwide availability." We're sure you know exactly what this new shuffle will be packing when it drops on Friday, but we'll run it down one more time for old time's sake: 1GB of flash, 240 songs, $79, 12 hours of battery life, all packed into half a cubic inch in volume. We suppose we'll know on Friday if Her Matchbook-ness was really worth the wait.
2G Shuffle finally shipping
In between posting rumors about iPhones, touchscreen iPods, and eight-core Mac Pros, we've been wondering when that sexy new "matchbox meets boombox" iPod Shuffle first revealed at September's "It's Showtime" event would start shipping to eager customers. Well thanks to reader Brad, we now know that Apple has begun sending its most diminutive DAP to those folks who already placed their pre-orders, with Brad's notification indicating a delivery date of November 3rd. So if the new Shuffle hasn't hit retail channels already, it'll be available any day now, or you can hit up Apple's online store to get the process started immediately. As for us, we're gonna wait around for a bit and keep our eye on eBay; even though this tiny 'Pod is only $79 to begin with, it's so easy to lose that we'll probably get a better deal buying one of the many second-hand units inevitably dropped in buses, taxis, and subway cars nationwide.[Thanks, Brad P.]
iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0 for Mac
Many first gen iPod shuffle users are are seeing their precious shuffles enter into a sort of fugue state: endlessly cycling between a sad green light and a sad orange light. Today, Apple has posted a small utility that promises to raise your shuffle from the dead. What is this marvel called? iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0 for Mac (PC version also available).This little utility restores your shuffle's software to software version 1.1.4, and erases all the music on the shuffle. Apple warns that your shuffle might need to be reset thrice (!) before it takes. Lots more details about the utility can be found here.Thanks, Mark.
The iPod turns five
Hard to believe it, but a half decade ago today Steve Jobs stood up in front of a small crowd and introduced an "MP3 music player... that plays all of the popular open formats of digital music, MP3, MP3 VBR, WAV, and AIFF," a device that changed the consumer electronics industry forever. Of course, that device was the iPod. Love it or hate it (we tend to have mixed feelings about it 'round Engadget HQ), the iPod helped to make consumer electronics cool again, and managed to be a huge step forward for the CE industry shortly after the tech bubble had burst -- and during a time when the country was in turmoil after the attacks of 9/11, no less. No, the iPod wasn't the first digital music player -- not even the first with a portable hard drive -- but we're not going to wax on about what it was that charmed tens of millions of consumers out of their hard earned cash. So we figured it'd be enough to present to you an iPod family tree, do a little groundskeeping to make sure the iPod family cemetery is in good shape, and let you blow out the iPod's birthday candles whichever way you like.P.S. - Check out Steve's original introduction to the iPod after the break. Ah, memories.
"iBlue" Mac mini/iPod shuffle IP-PBX combo
If you've been looking for an IP-PBX solution for your biz but have been dissatisfied by the lack of potential lawsuit-inducing options, then Berlin-based 4S newcom GmbH may have just the gear for ya. It's newly announced "iBlue" is an IP-PBX system consisting of the company's own 4S IP PBX software, a Mac mini, and an iPod shuffle, which should be enough to get you up and running with some SIP-based VoIP in no time. The shuffle part of the equation is unfortunately less exciting than you may think, with the now-dated player simply serving as a glorified software-delivery device -- though as our pal Om says, it sure helps grab some attention. Sweeting the deal, 4S is also throwing in five snom300 VoIP phones, with the software licensed for up to 250 users and 30 parallel calls. If that works for ya, you'll be able to grab an iBlue for a cool €3,000 Euro when it launches November 6th.[Via GigaOM]
