Filed under: iPod Family, ipod shuffle
New iPod shuffle features VoiceOver
The store is back, and the rapid rumor ramp-up is vindicated: Apple introduced a new iPod shuffle this morning, billed as 'the first music player that talks to you' -- it features a VoiceOver interface that announces artists, songs and playlists on demand (the iPod nano features spoken menus as well, so that tagline may need some work). Interestingly, the VoiceOver UI concept was mused upon by John Gruber last month. The shuffle now supports multiple playlists, which would have been difficult to manage without some sort of UI for controlling which one is playing.
The new shuffle expands to 4 GB of storage for the same $79US, but in the course of shrinking the overall size of the microscopic MP3 maven down to 1.8" high, 0.7" wide and 0.3" deep (45mm x 17mm x 7.8mm), the player controls were moved onto the headphone cord. This may not sit well with buyers who prefer other earbuds.
The shuffle is available in black and silver and is shipping in 3-5 days.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
David L Good said 9:05AM on 3-11-2009
I'm impressed with just about everything, except the lack of controls. Placing the controls on the earbud wires is 'neat' but only if it's in addition to controls on the iPod. The last time I ever used Apple ear buds was when I purchased my first iPod (with a fancy old scroll wheel) -- I didn't like the ear buds then, and I don't like them now. They just don't work with my ears (they keep falling out -- I don't understand how anyone could possibly run or work out with those things).
Anyway -- if controlling the shuffle means you HAVE to be using those ear buds I don't need to hear any more. It's a no-go for me.
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Dawn said 10:32AM on 3-11-2009
Me too. I have 3 or 4 sets of iPod earbuds still in the cellophane wrapping. They fall right out of my ear. I can;'t believe that after all these years they are stil using that design, with no alternative choices.
So as much as I like to get the latest new toys, having controls only on the earbud wire is a non-starter for me.
brian said 12:35PM on 3-11-2009
im wondering what the display models at the stores will be like.. they wouldnt actually let everyone in a mall put the earbuds in their ears.. or would they?
Josh said 1:58PM on 3-11-2009
@David Unfortunately I came to the exact same conclusion. I use my shuffle exclusively while I'm running and the apple earbuds simply fall out. I found great 'sport' earbuds from Soundwise (based out of the Seattle area) and though they aren't sonically the HIGHEST quality pair of earphone I have (I use a pair of Shure e5c), I am in love with how comfortable and resilient they are for working out. That said, if I can't use my own earphones AND control the shuffle at the same time, it's a complete no-go for me. Bummer...I was kind of jonesing for a new toy...oh well.
puhsitch said 1:46PM on 3-11-2009
This sounds like a classic Apple strategy, and it will probably work: the people who like (or don't mind) the Apple earbuds will snatch these right up; then when an external "controls" add-on is released, the other segment of potential buyers will come in with even more gusto after being disappointed with the initial release. It's all a delicious mind game.
Alex McKee said 2:15PM on 3-11-2009
Dawn, is it possible that you could mail me a pair if you aren't using them? :P
You can get to me at atm153 (at) gmail dot com.
David L Good said 6:37PM on 3-11-2009
@Josh
I also have the Shure buds -- they are very nice and I'm not about to give them up. They're comfortable, they aren't externally loud (so I don't disturb other passengers on the plane), they stay put, and they don't hurt my ears after the first five minutes. Apple's earbuds hurt my ears after five minutes and I constantly have to push them into my ears because they just want to come right out.
Back onto the new iPod Shuffle. The BEST shuffle to-date has been the last version (not the new version). It was the size of a match book and had all the controls right there in front of you. The battery life was good and the clip was great. Even though I have many other iPods/iPhones I always used an iPod Shuffle in my truck. I could hook it up to my stereo and clip it away under the dash -- no fear of anyone breaking in and "finding" it. With this new shuffle I can't use it in my truck, because I need that jack to hook into my system, and I can't do that because I would then have no way to control it.
What a waste.
@puhsitch
I think you're right about this one. Apple has made some bad decisions in the past, but not many. Usually their decisions are part of some greater master plan.
Remember when Apple changed the way iPod Videos played video out to a television? When I got the new iPod Classic 160 I had to purchase all NEW components so that it would work on my television. Was it necessary for Apple to do that? No. But they sold a lot of additional (and very expensive) accessories.
Or how about my iPhone? I used it with a car charger/remote for the radio (it charged the iPhone while transferring the audio to my car radio) for a long time just fine. Then a new iPhone update comes out and when I hook my iPhone up it now claims that the charger/remote is "not compatible" and it refuses to charge my iPhone. What is going on with that?
Apple is creating a lot of these "issues" to force us to continue to purchase accessories and extras that we otherwise don't need.
Call it genius marketing if you like... but it's a tricky game that can easily get them on the wrong side of a bunch of angry customers if they push their luck.
puhsitch said 11:16PM on 3-11-2009
@David L Good: In the end, Apple somehow always looks like the good guy, but it'll be interesting to see if they can keep it up. They invariably piss off or at least disappoint legions of customers with initial product releases, but it's all just the compressing of a giant psychological spring. By the time that potential energy is released, some folks who would have never bought product in the first place find themselves jittery in anticipation - with Apple looking like a company that listens to the will of the people.
jc said 9:09AM on 3-11-2009
"The shuffle is available in white and gray..." Black and Silver, you mean.
I almost bought this right away for the car, until I realized I would have no way to play songs or control it whatsoever. I love the size and concept of voice over... but why are we forced to use their headset as the only way to listen to music from this iPod?
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Think Adrian said 9:11AM on 3-11-2009
Earbuds? I can't even use earbuds. Except for Apples earbuds, but they don't have the right sound...
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Victor Agreda, Jr. said 9:14AM on 3-11-2009
Not only that, but those don't fit in everyone's ears comfortably. They just killed off a pretty good % of their market that uses 3rd-party headphones. Yeesh.
James said 10:49AM on 3-11-2009
I have 2 problems with the controls on the apple buds of this shuffle...
1. The apple buds do have a poor sound quality
2. The apple buds are too big for my ears and they (my ears, not the buds :P) begin to hurt after 5 minutes or so.
JimB said 9:12AM on 3-11-2009
The controls on the headphone cord is going to be a deal breaker for many, I think. I have loved the Shuffles from the start, but have never used Apple's headphones. Their quality has always traditionally been pretty low and sound quality less than stellar. (Not to mention, as David pointed out, the fit makes them pretty useless for running.)
It's interesting though that they are keeping the second generation models around as well, at least for now. While I am sure that has everything to do with keeping the lower-end pricepoint, it does at least provide some choice for those who want small without being locked into the Apple earbuds.
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Bill said 9:22AM on 3-11-2009
I'm hoping Apple will release their In-Ear headphones with the new shuffle controls, or a third-party will come out with comfortable in-ear headphones with the controls, because I want one.
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Jeffrey Johnson said 1:23PM on 3-11-2009
I'm guessing this would work
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA850G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Ng&mco=MjE0NDg0NQ
AC said 2:25PM on 3-11-2009
@Jeffrey Johnson,
Yes, that would work. It would also double the cost of your iPod.
Seems a bit steep, particularly if one already owns 3rd party 'phones.
falcon5768 said 9:23AM on 3-11-2009
wow I love Apple but even I have to admit this was the silliest thing I have ever seen from them.
At least make the controls break away from the headphones.
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DB Lection said 9:53AM on 3-11-2009
This thing looks cool, but with these earbuds, which do not stay in my ears, this thing for me is DOA.
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tomelsmore said 9:31AM on 3-11-2009
I'm pretty sure the Apple In-Ear headphones work with the new shuffle. They look the same.
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Bill Safsel said 9:34AM on 3-11-2009
I'm sure the Apple In-Ear headphones will work, but they still need the controls that will play different playlists, volume, etc.