The Apple iPod Shuffle is described on its website as the "unpredictable new iPod." The whole point with this player is the format, it shuffles the digital music you’ve stored on it so you may never know which track will come next!
This player comes in 512MB or 1GB models. It will play AAC, MP3, podcasts and audiobooks for you. And, it can hold up to 16 hours of audio with 12 hours of playback.
This iPod is tiny, it’s smaller than a pack of gum and it looks just as good as the rest of the Apple range. It’s also incredibly easy to use; navigation is managed by a simple circular wheel. Apple claim that you can use the controls system real quick without even having to look at the player.
Loading the Shuffle is real easy too, as you can have iTunes fill it up automatically, fill it yourself from your playlists or just click to drag and drop the songs you want on to the player. The player can either be slotted directly into a USB slot or connected to your computer via a dock. Loading this little beauty will take no time at all.
The player also gives you access to iTunes so you can manage, buy and download music whenever you want. You can even use this mini machine to store data files which is an added bonus. The player has been designed with skip-proof technology and comes with a useful lanyard so you can just hang it around your neck - whatever you do it’ll just shuffle for you and won’t skip.
The Apple iPod Shuffle comes with a built-in USB connector, a lanyard and a set of Apple earphones. It also comes with iTunes software and a getting started guide. There are also plenty of accessories available in the Apple store, for example, you can buy an armband, sport case, dock, extra battery pack, power adapter, headphones, a Y-splitter, car adapter and FM transmitter. You might be able to pick up a cheap model in the refurbished Apple range. If you shop around on the Internet models are currently selling for around $90+ for the 512MB model and $120+ for the 1GB model.
Pros:
- Portability - This is a "take anywhere" model, it weighs about the same as a car key and is smaller than a pack of gum.
- Shuffle - This player really does keep you on your toes, just what will it choose to play next?!
- Skip-Free - The skip-proof technology makes this an ideal exercise model.
- Design - The Shuffle looks good, like any Apple player you are buying style here.
- MAC/PC - The player will work on both a MAC and PC.
- iTunes - The iTunes software package is one of the best music management programs out there, and the online downloads store is massive.
- AACs - Many digital music lovers far prefer the quality of AACs to MP3s.
- Play in Order Function - If you don’t want your player to choose you can use this option to tell it what to play.
Cons:
- Storage Capacity - The Shuffle isn’t huge on storage; if you want to take a lot of music with you then this probably isn’t the player for you.
- Cost - You could pick up a player with a larger storage capacity for less money.
- WMA - The Apple range doesn’t support WMA files, so you’ll have to convert them to load them on which could be time consuming.
- Internal USB Connector - Some users have been unable to connect the Shuffle to their USB port direct, to get round this problem you’ll have to buy the dock or an USB extension.
- Battery - You technically can’t just replace any iPod battery yourself. You either have to pay Apple to replace your Shuffle or risk going to a company that will do it for you (but you won’t have a leg to stand on with Apple if the replacement goes wrong in this instance and damages the player).
- AACs - Not every digital audio player will be able to cope with AAC files, so if you defect from Apple at a later stage you may have a big conversion task ahead of you!
- Screen - There isn’t one!
- Track Choice - With no screen it can be hard to find a particular track if you desperately need to hear it - you’ll have to keep hitting the button to (hopefully) get to it!
Usage Tips and Tricks
If you’re traveling for longer than your estimated playback time you can buy an additional battery pack from Apple that will boost your battery life for you.You don’t get the Hold button on the Shuffle, if you want to lock down your buttons press Play/Pause for a few seconds. The amber light will blink to confirm. To release the button lock hold down the button again and the green light will blink.