The ultimate iPod accessory
Written: Dec 02 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Size, design, Works well with iTunes, Inexpensive
Cons: Dock Required. Not an entry-level iPod. If you're aware of what it is, practically none.
The Bottom Line: For what it is, the Shuffle is near-perfect. You just clip it and let it take you on a music adventure.
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| cdlabs's Full Review: Nokia N73 Smartphone |
I own a 3G (3rd generation) iPod that has soldiered on for 30 months. The problem is that when I go running, my iPod tends to slip out from time to time (I snag my headphones, or get a little clumsy) , and I run the risk of it dropping to the ground. As you all know, iPods (full size iPods, at least) and iPod Minis have moving parts in them (specifically, the delicate hard drives.) These are probably the largest failure points of any iPod (or HDD player) because if they are dropped, the hard drive can crash.
On top of that, the 3G iPod, while certainly not bulky, is a bit large for running. You either have to go with a belt clip or arm band- both of which will constantly remind you you've got an iPod strapped to you. Also, while I adore the scroll wheel on the iPod, I think it's a bit too difficult to change the tracks when you're running (it always seems Norah Jones comes on when I get a mile down the way....) Though do remember, the 3G iPods were all touch sensitive as opposed to the newer 5/5.5G iPods.
For a long time, I considered picking up an iPod Shuffle, but the goofy lanyard aside, you'd still have to strap it to yourself. If only my running shorts had a pocket...
So Apple, who seems to know their customer base better than I do, introduced the new iPod Shuffle, featuring a satin aluminum body and a nifty clip to keep it stuck to you no matter what. Of course, no screen.
Wait... no screen? Who would want a player with no screen?
Ah, therein lies the good question that seems to be why the shuffle polarizes people. After all, you can get a Dell DJ Ditty with a screen (well, you could...) , and don't you want to see what music you're playing?
Well, of course, but the Shuffle seems to be designed to target a specific group: people who run.
Think about it... when you're running, you're not looking at the screen. You just want the tracks to keep coming, and if it's a bad track, a few taps and you'll be at the song you want. (Well, maybe a lot of taps, but hopefully you picked your playlist well.) In addition, because of the Shuffle's storage capacity, you'll find that you end up knowing where each song is within a few hours (on mine it's alphabetized by artist, which iTunes does automatically.)
Want to hear the songs in random order? Not a problem, just flick the tiny-but-svelte-looking switch over to "Shuffle," and be surprised!
The Experience:
The iPod shuffle comes in a new acrylic case. I like the case, despite CompUSA's blisterpacking over it. The price should be universal at $79.00 .
The iPod shuffle is neatly packaged. When you take it out, you'll be amazed at how well designed it is. The materials and buttons all feel reasonably responsive, though the switches are diminutive.
In the box is the little docklet, which plugs into your shuffle's headphone jack to charge and sync it. Nifty clever, but it means you can't listen to music and charge it. The dock itself is nicely weighted, but fans of the old shuffle's design will hate it. There is no wall charger.
Using it:
If you don't already have iTunes 7.0.2, you'll need to download it from Apple's web site. Not a big deal if you've got an internet connection.
Setup is a breeze, and when you plug it in, you'll be instructed to set up and name your iPod. There are several neat options:
1) Fill songs randomly (you can specify it to fill randomly from a large playlist or from your entire library)
2) Manually manage songs
3) Sync to a playlist (how I set mine up)
4) Enable Disk Use (yes, it can be used as a flash drive)
5) "Autofill" (synchronize your Pod Manually instead of every time you plug it in)
iTunes makes the shuffle enjoyable- I cannot say that enough. If it wasn't for its excellent management capabilities, the shuffle would be a miserable but well designed player.
Usage:
I find myself using my shuffle two times: In the car, and at the gym. I think it's great for long road trips where you just want the music going and want a quick way to skip through songs. I have mine connected through the tape casette deck. iTrip/other iPod accessories will probably not work with the shuffle- you've been warned.
For the gym, it's perfect. You can clip this anywhere and it'll hold on. Shirt sleeve? No problem. Collar? No problem.
The battery life has been good (3 hour improvement over my 3G iPod) , as was sound quality. Battery life is indicated when you first turn on your shuffle- it'll blink green if you've got "good" battery life, "amber" if you've got to charge soon, and "red" if it's dead. You must turn off the shuffle and turn it on to check life. Originally this bugged me, but now I can honestly say I don't care.
The included headphones are the old ones, but to be honest, I think they sound pretty darn good for a free pair of headphones. They won't replace my Sennheiser MX90's or Ultimate Ears, but they're fine for when I'm in the gym (I find they stay well in my ear.) They do tend to "blow out" after awhile.
There are some nice touches, too. If music has been paused for awhile (indicated by a blinking light) , the music fades back in so you're not startled. If you yank your headphones out, the music pauses! Again, the devil's in the details.
If you're looking for a budget iPod, and you've never purchased an Mp3 player before, don't buy the shuffle unless you know what you're getting. The low-end iPod Nano is going to offer you much more flexibility, including a nice color screen and the ability to navigate your music. It is well worth the money.
If you've got an iPod or are looking for something to run with, the Shuffle is perfect.
Now excuse me, I'm about to go run!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cdlabs
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Location: Knoxville, TN
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 2 members
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