Apple iPod shuffle 4 GB Black 3rd Generation NEWEST MODEL
Apple iPod shuffle 4 GB Black 3rd Generation NEWEST MODEL
The third-generation iPod shuffle is the talk of the music world. Not just because it’s incredibly small–half the size of the previous generation. And not just because it holds up to 1,000 songs and supports multiple playlists. It’s the talk of the town because it’s the only music player in the world that talks to you. The new VoiceOver feature lets iPod shuffle tell you what song is playing and who’s performing it. It also tells you the names of your playlists. With VoiceOver–and with the controls conveniently located on the earbud cord–it’s even easier to navigate your music. You can do it without taking your eyes off your run, your ride, or whatever you’re doing.
The iPod shuffle 3G is the first music player that talks to you. Click to enlarge. |
The iPod shuffle 3G: The First Music Player That Talks to You
World’s Smallest Music Player
Ultra-Compact, Ultra-Sleek
Its compact, anodized aluminum design is nearly half the size of the previous iPod shuffle and smaller than a AA battery. But don’t be fooled by its diminutive nature. It might be small on the outside, but it holds a lot on the inside. With iPod shuffle now available in 4 GB capacity, you can take up to 1,000 songs with you anywhere. And with the controls located where you can quickly access them, it’s also easier to use.
Most Wearable
The iPod shuffle comes with a brilliant stainless steel clip that lets you securely wear your music no matter where you are. Clip it to your workout gear when you’re at the gym. Clip it to your backpack or belt when you’re on the go. If you want, you can even clip it out of sight. Whether you’re walking, running, cycling, or skiing, you’ll always have your favorite songs and playlists with you.
Your Music Library to Go
Store More Music
It’s hard to believe that something so small could carry so much music. But now that the iPod shuffle has 4 GB, you have plenty of room to store up to 1,000 songs. Load up all the music you want, and hit the road for as long as you like. Slide the switch to “Shuffle,” and get ready for the most unpredictable ride of your life. Or slide the switch to “Play in Order” to hear your playlists from start to finish.
Multiple Playlists
You’ve probably made multiple playlists in iTunes. You have one for your commute, another one for the gym, and then a few more for just chilling out. Now, with the iPod shuffle 3G, you can sync them all and take them wherever you go. Up to 4 GB gives you plenty of room to hold a playlist for every occasion–which means you’ll always have the perfect mix to match your activity or mood. And with VoiceOver telling you the name of each playlist, you can easily switch between them and find the one you want. You also can have audiobooks and podcasts on your iPod shuffle. Audiobooks will be put into separate playlists automatically, and podcast episodes will be grouped together in a Podcasts playlist.
Includes Apple earbud earphones with remote and mic as well as an iPod shuffle USB cable. Click to see how controls work. |
Easy Access Controls
You’ll find controls for the new iPod shuffle in two locations. On the right earbud cord, you’ll find the controls that let you interact with your music. And on the top of the iPod shuffle, there’s a switch that lets you choose to shuffle, to play your songs in order, or to turn off your iPod shuffle.
Using the Apple Earphones with Remote
All the controls you need to interact with your music–adjusting volume, changing songs, switching playlists, and hearing song titles and artist names–are built into the Apple Earphones with Remote. You control the iPod shuffle by pressing the top, center, or bottom button on the control. This makes it easy to navigate your music and activate the VoiceOver feature, without taking your eyes off what you’re doing.
The first time you set up VoiceOver on your computer, iTunes automatically downloads and installs the VoiceOver Kit. Click to enlarge. |
Three-Way Switch
The new iPod shuffle now has a stainless steel switch with three positions that let you choose how you want to listen to your music. Slide it to the left to shuffle your songs. Slide it to the middle to play your songs in order. Or slide it to the right to turn everything off.
Also, an LED on the top of the iPod shuffle displays such things as syncing and battery status.
Introducing VoiceOver
VoiceOver is the exciting new feature that makes iPod shuffle the first music player that talks to you. It entirely changes the way you browse and navigate your music. Say you’re listening to a song and want to know the title or the artist. With the press of a button, VoiceOver tells you–without interrupting your music. But the fun doesn’t stop with songs. For the first time ever on an iPod shuffle, you can have multiple playlists, and VoiceOver announces their names, too. So you can easily find the right mix without taking your eyes off your run, your ride, or whatever you’re doing.
How It Works
A lot of work has gone into creating an iPod shuffle that not only talks, but says the right things. It all begins with iTunes and its seamless integration with iPod. iTunes reads your song information, then uses the new VoiceOver Kit to generate the announcements for the songs, artists, and playlists on your iPod shuffle. You’ll hear different voices depending on what type of computer system you use when you sync your iPod shuffle. If you sync it with a PC or with a Mac running Mac OS X Tiger, you’ll hear the English voice included in the VoiceOver Kit. And since Mac OS X Leopard already has an amazing English voice built in, that’s the one you’ll hear when you sync your iPod shuffle with a Mac running Leopard.
Multiple Languages
Your music library may have songs from all over the world–a love song from France, a bolero from Spain, a pop tune from Japan. Luckily, VoiceOver speaks in 14 languages. iTunes automatically selects the language and best voice for your song titles and artist names. It looks at song data, like the title, artist, and album information, then applies intelligent algorithms to choose the right language. For example, iTunes recognizes the song “Ya Viene el Sol” by Ozomatli as a Spanish song, so your iPod shuffle will automatically speak that song title and artist name in Spanish. If you’d prefer to hear song titles and artist names spoken in a specific language, you can change the designated VoiceOver language in iTunes. Just select one or more songs, choose Get Info from the File menu, and then select the VoiceOver language in the Options pane.
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Environmental Status Report
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VoiceOver Kit
The first time you set up VoiceOver on your computer, iTunes automatically downloads and installs the VoiceOver Kit, which enables your iPod shuffle to speak in 14 different languages:
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What’s in the Box
iPod shuffle (black), Apple Earphones with Remote, iPod shuffle USB cable (1.8 inches), Quick Start guide
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star Joke of a product
My first one broke after 4 uses. Returned and replaced, the next one broke after two uses. Returned and replaced, the third broke after one use. That’s three broken Ipods in 6 weeks. A quick search shows they advertise this new shuffle for exercise, yet if you sweat, the item croaks. How is this company still in business?
1 Star Useless – Apple admits u can’t use this when working out
Apples is dragging their feet on this.
Anyone who works out or goes out on a hot summer day beware.
Sweat (that salty water) can run down the ear bud cable into the control buttons and renders the shuffle useless.
They will offer to replace the ear buds but demand a full refund – it will happen again
5 Stars Great little player
If you only want music with no video, this is great. The controls take a bit getting used to, but once you have them down, it’s easy to use. Great for the gym.
1 Star Sad attempt to retain market share
It’s not like Apple has a lot to worry about in the iPod shuffle market — until now. This new “requirement” on using Apple headphones in my opinion is a sad attempt to ensure people other than the owner see the signature white headphones which in most cases identifies an Apple iPod owner. I’d love to see the statistics behind such a decision. I mean Apple defines consumer usability, right? I own nearly every category of Apple product produced, for a reason — they’re awesome!
It is good to see other 3rd-party vendors getting into the game to provide aftermarket headphones with controller function, but it’ll be hard to get it right for all consumers. I wear my current shuffle’s headphones inside my shirt so that it doesn’t interfere with workouts so the idea of a controller in there isn’t so appealing.
I do realize that fans of Apple products aren’t necessarily what drives new innovation — those of us in that category will most likely continue to buy pretty much whatever Apple makes.
But, in my opinion such a change does three things:
1) It offers consumers an opportunity to check out other vendors’ products, not just new headphones
2) It adds to the total cost of ownership for your “valued” consumer
3) It “feels restrictive” to those used to seeing Apple move opposite other firms producing proprietary products
If I had to guess, I’d say Apple would add back the controller function to the next generation shuffles. I knew it bothered me, but to actually see the same complaints all over place… A lot of folks are upset with this. I hope to pick up the “revamped” next gen (with controller function on the player).
2 Stars Listen to the Other Reviewers, Read this if you workout!!!!!
I’ve had my shuffle for about 5 months and after the first couple of months of ownership, I had considered writing a positive review to offset some of the negative comments. My initial experience was positive and I was very happy with the product. I read all the negative comments and thought there is a problem with the earbud controls but I also thought it was limited and could be somewhat controlled. I am a runner and will run anywhere from 3 to 5 miles in a session. I really do like the new earbud control primarily because you can change volume or songs without breaking a stride and without looking at the iPod. I have also made an effort to keep perspiration away from the earbud controls but there is only so much you can do – especially in the hot, California sun. Well, about a month ago my earbud controller stop working and the volume was fixed at one level – a level that was a little on the loud side for me. After letting it dry it seemed to work but halfway through the run, I experienced the same problem. Now my shuffle is permanently set at the one volume level. While this isn’t has bad as what some of the other customers’ have experienced, it does validate what all the other reviewers are describing. If you workout with the new shuffle and perspire, you risk damaging the earbud which has about a $30 replacement cost. There has been several reviews that have discussed this problem but I want to add my comments since I am extremely dissapointed with the design. I am still a fan of the earbud design but Apple needs to fix it or put a large warning on the product.
