Earlier today, Apple released iPod Reset Utility 1.03 for the iPod shuffle. It's meant to be used with both a 1st and 2nd generation iPod shuffle when iTunes is unable to restore it to factory settings. Note that this sucker wipes your iPod clean -- all music, photos, etc. will be cleared away, so make sure you've got backups in place. You can read all the details here.
World of Apple is reporting on a recent 45-minute Q&A session with Tim Cook, Apple's COO, at the Goldman Sachs Investment Symposium. In regards to iPhone unlocking (or allowing users to move to another cell network with their iPhone), Cook said that it is "difficult" to please all users on all networks, primarily because the US uses both GSM and CDMA protocols. He did say that the iPhone model may change over time, but that the current AT&T deal provides the best coverage and simplest experience for the user.
"We're not married to any business model," Cook stated. "What we're married to is shipping the best phones in the world."
Cook also said that the upcoming iPhone SDK will allow developers to "only be limited by [their] imagination." He declined to give further details because Apple wants to keep "the element of surprise." Cook also talked about the AppleTV, iPhone price cuts, and iPod shuffle price cuts.
Several readers (thanks!) have pointed out that the new 2 gig iPod shuffle (which we blogged about last Tuesday) are now available to order. The Apple Store lists them as shipping in 7-10 days, for $69.
Let us know in the comments if you are ordering one.
The problem with getting a case for the second gen iPod Shuffle is twofold. One, the thing is so cheap that it makes little sense to spend much more than $10 on a case. Two, that thing is built to last. I'm not sure if you've had a chance to handle a Shuffle as of late but they are solid little iPods so why even bother with a case?
That's why iPod Shuffle cases have to be cheap and offer up a unique way for you to interact with your Shuffle. The iPod Shuffle Watch Style Case has both bases covered. It goes for $9.99, is available in a number of colors, and allows you to strap your Shuffle to your wrist because watches are so last decade.
There are some who look at Apple's industrial design and think, 'That's perfect! Nothing needs to be done,' and there are some who think, 'it looks nice but it could really use some gems.' That's how this $40,000 iPod Shuffle, called the iDiamond by the makers, was born.
We recently mentioned a concept from Arriva for iPod Shuffle headphones that integrate the Shuffle into the 'phones themselves. Well Monster Cable (of way-too-expensive-cables fame) has apparently beaten them to the punch with these foldable iFreePlay headphones. As you can see the Shuffle fits into the top of the left can for a "cordless" experience, while still giving access to the controls, etc. While you're certainly not going to be a paragon of fashion walking down the street with these, I could imagine that they might be useful for the gym or a run.
The iFreePlay headphones are available now for $49.95.
CNET's Crave has the scoop on these "wireless" headphones forthcoming from Arriva. As you can see from the Photoshop mockup, the headphones integrate a 2nd generation iPod Shuffle dock in the middle to achieve the "wireless" effect. I'm guessing you'd be the subject of a few double-takes walking down the street with a Shuffle apparently embedded in the back of your skull, but this looks like it might be useful for exercise, etc. CNET quotes Arriva's founder as saying "Apple knows what we are up to and have not said anything except we can make our headphones in all the Shuffle colors, which we are."
Arriva has not yet announced a price or shipping date (though "hopefully by this summer").
Apparently in an effort to produce even crappier-sounding music than earbuds, Japanese manufacturer Thanko is preparing to offer this VONIA bone conduction "Sports HeadBand," which is designed to work particularly well with the new iPod shuffle. Electronista is reporting that the headband will not not have to sit directly over your ears in order to transmit those high beat rate tunes directly through your hard noggin, thus leaving you free to hear that dump truck on your morning run.
I'm not so sure about this one, but they go on sale in Japan soon for about $84. It's not clear if they're coming Stateside.
Our friends at the Bargainist let us know that Apple is selling refurb silver current gen iPod shuffles for $59. Your $60 gets you the shuffle (no fancy colors though), a shuffle Dock, earphones, and free shipping. Not a shabby deal at all.
If you were waiting around to see if you could get a shuffle for cheap, your ship might have just come in (people still use that phrase, right?).
You have had a day or so to think about the new, and colorful, iPod shuffles. Sure, none of the specs have changed but don't they all look so pretty?
Our question to you, dear readers, is a simple. If you were going to buy an iPod shuffle today what color would you pick? Call me a stick in the mud, but I think that the gray one still looks best.
I haven't even seen one of the new iPod Shuffles in the wild, but our friends at iLounge already have all 5 types. They posted a nice photo gallery giving you all the details about what comes in the box (mostly unchanged) as well as listing 5 key facts about the new shuffles.
The biggest news, other than the colors, is that the shuffles now come with the improved Apple earbuds.
Note that Apple has packaged new earbud headphones with the colorful shuffles. If you still prefer grey but want the new headphones, get a package with black lettering, and not green (those are the "old" ones, which contain with the original headphones).
*Yes, at the end of the day it's just pictures of an iPod, but you still looked, didn't you?
I'm a fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done. As such, I always have my Hipster PDA with me, as well as my iPod. What if I could combine the two..?
Andrew at Restless Dreaming has done it with the Hipster Shuffle. Just replace your hPDA's binder clip with an iPod shuffle (now in color!). Rock out while getting things done. I like it.
This morning's Apple Store downtime was chromatically inspired: the iPod Shuffle now comes in five colors, same as the Nano but with orange substituting for black. Is it just me, or are these the same colors as the gumdrop iMacs? No "grape," but otherwise pretty close.
Now your Valentine can have a Shuffle to match his/her soulful eyes. Even after a weekend-long bender.
Thanks to everyone who sent a heads-up on the store downtime and the new Shuffles.
Do you remember that Michael Jackson video? The one where people's faces morphed into other people's faces? This video is kind of like that. Except that it's more like one person's abdomen getting replaced by another person's abdomen. Sort of. It's actually a pretty cool commercial. I really enjoyed it and have now rewatched it several times. Just be careful while changing shirts while listening to your shuffle. In real life, you do not turn into another person. Your shuffle merely gets caught in the buttons.
Thanks Matthew
Update: At first glance we thought this was a new ad, turns out it is the same at the US ad that appeared awhile ago. On the bright side, the US ad is no longer available on Apple's website, so if you want to save the ad to your machine here's your chance. See? No need to freak out in the comments about this.
Even iPods get the blues.
World of Apple is reporting on a recent 45-minute Q&A session with Tim Cook, Apple's COO, at the Goldman Sachs Investment Symposium. In regards to iPhone unlocking (or allowing users to move to another cell network with their iPhone), Cook said that it is "difficult" to please all users on all networks, primarily because the US uses both GSM and CDMA protocols. He did say that the iPhone model may change over time, but that the current AT&T deal provides the best coverage and simplest experience for the user.
Several readers (thanks!) have pointed out that the new 2 gig iPod shuffle (which we blogged about last Tuesday) are now available to order. The Apple Store lists them as shipping in 7-10 days, for $69.
The problem with getting a case for the second gen iPod Shuffle is twofold. One, the thing is so cheap that it makes little sense to spend much more than $10 on a case. Two, that thing is built to last. I'm not sure if you've had a chance to handle a Shuffle as of late but they are solid little iPods so why even bother with a case?
We recently mentioned a concept from Arriva for iPod Shuffle headphones that integrate the Shuffle into the 'phones themselves. Well Monster Cable (of way-too-expensive-cables fame) has apparently beaten them to the punch with these foldable iFreePlay headphones. As you can see the Shuffle fits into the top of the left can for a "cordless" experience, while still giving access to the controls, etc. While you're certainly not going to be a paragon of fashion walking down the street with these, I could imagine that they might be useful for the gym or a run.
Apparently in an effort to produce even crappier-sounding music than earbuds, Japanese manufacturer Thanko is preparing to offer this VONIA bone conduction "Sports HeadBand," which is designed to work particularly well with the new iPod shuffle. Electronista is reporting that the headband will not not have to sit directly over your ears in order to transmit those high beat rate tunes directly through your hard noggin, thus leaving you free to hear that dump truck on your morning run. 
Our friends at the Bargainist let us know that Apple is selling refurb silver current gen iPod shuffles for $59. Your $60 gets you the shuffle (no fancy colors though), a shuffle Dock, earphones, and free shipping. Not a shabby deal at all.
AppleInsider has some nice, high res photos of the new orange iPod shuffle, the first orange iPod. You can check them out here.*
I'm a fan of David Allen's Getting Things Done. As such, I always have my Hipster PDA with me, as well as my iPod. What if I could combine the two..?
This morning's Apple Store downtime was chromatically inspired: the iPod Shuffle now comes in five colors, same as the Nano but with orange substituting for black. Is it just me, or are these the same colors as the gumdrop iMacs? No "grape," but otherwise pretty close.
