The iPod Shuffle is now in its 5th generation and is about the size of a key, and it weighs about the same too! This miniscule size makes it convenient for jogging and other sports activities, but also limits the amount of features that Apple was able to incorporate in it.
The Shuffle’s small size also means that owners may struggle a bit to get used to its selecting their favorite songs. The only way to do this is through a tiny remote located on the Shuffle’s headphones.
But even with these drawbacks, the iPod Shuffle ranks as one of the most innovative MP3 players on the market. Here is a closer look at the MP3 players features, and its positives and negatives.
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Size: The most impressive feature of the iPod Shuffle is its amazingly tiny size. The Shuffle, in fact, measures just 0.7 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.3 inches. Its weight is negligible. And it’s so small, that there is obviously no room for a video screen. When you first glance at the Shuffle, you might actually think it’s a tie clip. Some may find the Shuffle’s tiny size a thing of minimalist beauty. Others might say it’s boring.
Controls: These, too, are quite innovative. The iPod Shuffle’s main body features no video screen, no buttons and no touch pads. How do you access your music and other audio files, then? Simple, you use the controls located on the Shuffle’s headphones.
Located directly below the right earbud are three buttons. Users press two of the buttons to send the Shuffle’s volume up or down. The middle button, though, is the more intriguing; it boasts several functions. When users hit the button once, it pauses music during playback. If they hit it twice, they’ll skip forward from one song to another. If they hit the button three times, they’ll move backwards from one song to the next.
VoiceOver: This is another unique feature of the Shuffle. When users hold their headphone clicker down for a long enough period of time, a synthesized voice announces the name of the song playing and the band or artist playing it. Some critics are unnerved by the idea of a talking iPod. Others find the synthetic voice annoying. This is OK, though; owners can simply turn the feature off by accessing the iTunes program on their computer.
Sound quality: Like all iPods, the Shuffle’s sound quality should satisfy most listeners. The iPod Shuffle supports the most common audio files: WAVE, AIF, Apple Lossless, MP3, AAC and Audible.
Battery life: The iPod Shuffle falls down a bit when it comes to battery life. The device only boasts about 10 hours of playback time before it needs a recharge. Recharging a Shuffle fully can be a time-consuming affair; the Shuffle generally needs about three hours to charge completely.
Storage: Like the rest of the iPod lineup, the Shuffle does come with some impressive storage capabilities. The device allows for 4GB of storage. That’s pretty amazing, especially considering how tiny the Shuffle is.
Summary: The third-generation iPod Shuffle is certainly a unique MP3 player. Its small size and nearly weightless feel make it perfect for use by joggers, walkers and anyone working out in a gym. Its navigation system may be innovative, but it’s also a bit awkward, unfortunately. Getting to your favorite songs just isn’t an intuitive process. And if you lose your headphones, you unfortunately lose any way to control your Shuffle. (You can order or purchase new headphones, of course.)
Over all the iPod Shuffle might be the right choice for anyone who listens to music mainly when they are jogging or working out. For other uses, the iPod Nano or Classic are better choices.