Full FeedApple grasps at gimmicky straws for the new iPod shuffle, improves little
The iPod shuffle update surprised everyone yesterday. It was completely unexpected—probably because it was unneeded. What has Apple done in this “update”? Let’s take a look…
Smaller than ever
The iPod shuffle—which was previously small enough and light enough to clip onto any piece of clothing, fit into the smallest jean pocket, and probably be swallowed (albeit painfully)—wasn’t good enough. It needed to be more confortable when eaten, apparently, because it is now about half the size of the old shuffle.
Why it’s unneccesary: Was it really so hard to carry the old shuffle around, or did you just want to release some change of form factor this quarter, Apple? The design goes out the window with something this small. It’s not a distinctive product anymore, it’s a tiny piece of aluminum, easily misplaceable in the home, office, and garden.
No buttons
In order to make it smaller, they took off the buttons, and moved them to their headphones. Ok, great, except that if I want to use good headphones, I won’t be able to control the thing.
Why it’s unnecessary: It didn’t need to smaller, and it certainly didn’t need to be made smaller at the expense of controls. Would you buy an iMac whose only power button was on the Apple keyboard?
It talks to you
This made sense as an accessibility feature on the iPod nanos. It makes sense as an accessibility feature here too.
Why it’s unnecessary: The line blurs here. As it is apparently a major selling point of the iPod shuffle (which apparently was created before the iPod nano, the real first iPod that can talk to you), I’m calling gimmick. Devices talking to you is so…1990s? Was it ever really “in?” The robotic voices are more of a pain than a help in finding your songs.
Conclusion
The shuffle should stick to two features: shuffling and playing through. Adding more without adding a screen leads to idiocy like making the device shat you up, and a manual that is more complicated than the one for Apple’s computers. Double-click for next track, double-click-and-hold for fast-forward, click the button three times and hold to rewind? Really? With this new shuffle, it seems apparent to me that Apple felt like they needed some genuinely new product to come out, so they decided to make unnecessary changes to their cheapest product to bill as new features. The iPod shuffle goes against Apple’s usability standards for the sake of Apple’s design standards, and it just doesn’t work out.
Subscribe to keep up with the latest Apple news and rumors! - 
Subscribe to our feed
Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
Our new podcast: Meet...
We know. Podcasts are so last year - but this one you won't want to miss. Whether it’s a rumor that won’t die, a new product announcement, or just a really good Macintosh or iPhone app find that we have to let you know about, we’ll make sure it’s covered on Appletellcast.
iPhone App Reviews
iPhone Apps. They were great when the App Store was first announced and we could all pick and chose what we wanted, but the number is now overwhelming. Here at Appletell, we'll detail the great iPhone apps we find, and steer you clear from those that aren't worth it even if they're free.
iPhone Game Reviews
As Apple turns the iPhone into one of the most popular gaming devices, the staff of Appletell--gamers and Apple fans alike--are here to help you get the most entertainment value out of your app store purchases.
Smaller- Less materials. Saves money. Use your brain.
on March 12, 2009 at 08:32 PM - LINKAs for the head phones I’ll wager there will be plenty of third party
sets within a month. I know, 3 buttons & double clicking can be difficult to master.
Really, your article is nonsense.
It costs the same. There will be third party headphones, and they will require an adapter, probably an extra $20-$30 from Apple.
If you pick up a last gen shuffle, I bet you know exactly what all the buttons do. Quick quiz, don’t cheat: How do you fast forward on the new shuffle? Without looking at the manual, I doubt you would know without trial and error.
on March 12, 2009 at 09:04 PM - LINKActually, cancel that, it’s more expensive than before!
on March 12, 2009 at 09:04 PM - LINKNo- I’m seeing this as a step backwards. The headphone deal is a problem, and honestly, in that size and shape, why doesn’t this thing have a retractable USB connection that projects out the bottom like a USB thumb drive? Then they could save materials on the cradle and get back to the level of convenience that we had two generations ago.
on March 12, 2009 at 10:14 PM - LINKHello talk is cheap, design one and then manufacture it to give Apple a run for its money.
If you can throw money that way then you can criticize all you like.
It easy when your money is not involved. Why not take up the challenge and design a greater Shuffle and manufacture it and then market it.
Talk is cheap… cheaper when you blog. LOL
on March 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM - LINK“The shuffle should stick to two features: shuffling and playing through. “
...so says the person running a second-rate Mac website. The people designing iPods are laughing their ways to the bank. Hmmm, who am I going to listen to?
on March 13, 2009 at 12:33 AM - LINKThis is a great article. The new iPod Shuffle is one of the worst products I’ve seen from Apple. It just doesn’t make sense. I’m still waiting for them to tell me it was a joke. The people who criticize this article are… well, they’re stupid. And I mean that literally. Not like, “I’m dismissing you,” but like, “You probably can’t multiply by nine without a pencil and a piece of paper.” That’s an exaggeration, but I bet at least one of them has had trouble figuring out how to put gas in his or her car. “Laughing their way to the bank”? Seriously? If it sucks, nobody will buy it. That’s the point. Go away.
on March 13, 2009 at 01:33 AM - LINKSay what you will about the new shuffle…. People here have been flocking to the stores…
on March 13, 2009 at 08:23 AM - LINKThe product is great for runners, bikers, and walkers and me. If you don’t want one then don’t buy one. As for your interface point, your point is lame. How else would you operate it? This is, and will be a big seller for Apple. Have you tried it yet? And if you have, you had that much trouble with the interface? Boy, I hope your other takes are better than this one. I agree with others, your article is nonsense.
on March 13, 2009 at 08:45 AM - LINKWhat would my other interface choice be? How about real buttons like before. Much easier.
on March 13, 2009 at 10:49 AM - LINKWow, the negative comments surprise me. Not because they are negative per se- there was one a few days ago that was taking you to task for a streak of negative posts, and it had merit. These comments are hostile and not very smart.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the purpose of this blog was to report and scrutinize (for better or worse) things from and relating to Apple? I don’t know what the negative commenters are expecting outside of this.
on March 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM - LINK