iPod shuffle: more thoughts, wishlist

I love my shuffle, but one thing that really bugs me is that it can only be tied to one computer (e.g. iTunes). My main machine is at work, and it has attached to it all my music, when I get home it would be nice to plug my shuffle into my powerbook, and be able to play music from it over airtunes, like I do with my ipod. However I can not since after plugging in my shuffle to my powerbook it needs to blow away the contents of my shuffle before it will let me use it with my other machine. What the %$&@? I paid for this music, I should be able to *use* it as I see fit. Please someone comment if I am missing something here b/c I have tried everything. Dennis

Mark, You're presuming I'd have access to a Mac. I presume that if I did have access to a Mac, I'd also have access to iTunes, and there would be no problem. While I live on my iBook at home, I have yet to come across a Mac at a client's office (I'm an attorney).

Sharon you could easily remove all the music till your next synch. i think this line below if entered into Terminal would do it. rm -r /volumes/insert ipod name here/iPod_Control/Music/F*

I would love to be able to put albums i have just added up the top instead it goes into alphabetical order and if the album starts with a middle letter there is no way you can find it easy.

How about a pedometer attachment for the shuffle? It could track steps, and automatically sync this info back to the computer. This data could then be views on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly graphics and other info derived such as caloric output per n unit/time ... this would be a "killer" app for the shuffle as the majority of exercisers / gym bunnies seem to be buying iPods.

Barb, you hit two of my three big complains (the switch and the charging without synching). With respect to telling it not to open itunes, how does that help if you, like me, always have iTunes running? The third point is that, it would be nice if you could set it to delete music as needed when using as a data drive. It would be annoying if I had a sudden business emergency, had the 1 GB Shuffle, full of music, sitting in my purse, and couldn't use it because I couldn't download iTunes onto a client's computer in order to delete the music. I have set aside about 300 MB for that purpose, but given that I expect to use it for data infrequently, I'd rather have that space available for music.

I think the only thing that has really bothered me about the iPod shuffle is that the on/off switch is a piece of crap. Very hard to use and it feels cheap. If Apple added some raised/depressed bumps or lines so it would be easier to move, the device would be close to perfect for that I use it for. This was something that I noticed immediately upon opening, surprised it got through QA.

I go running with mine and I thought of what would be an increible third party attachment. ( I know this was asking for shuffle ideas, but hear this out.) I would like a small form fitting usb powered stop watch. You can put it right on the bottom of the shuffle in place of the cap. it would only need one button that starts and stops (and hold for reset.) and it would fit to the exact size of the shuffle so it's as if the normal cap was on. If any developers reads this and makes it...you don't have to give me kickbacks, just give me a free one.

"I cant tell you the maximum play time Ive seen because I havent yet run the battery completely down, despite leaving it play for hours and hours, all the time." Ack! Don't! http://www.apple.com/batteries/ For any rechargable battery--new, old, iPod, cell phone, laptop, RC car, whatever--it's very important to run it all the way way down before recharging, at least every once in a while, preferrably as often as possible. "Memory-free" or not, all rechargable batteries benefit from this. One possible solution is to leave it on overnight. I've had my iBook for two years and I almost always run it down to the warning before recharging, and the battery is still great. Same with my iPod.

Ahhhh, so awesome!! Thanks so much for the tip!