Apple has launched the third generation iPod Shuffle without the usual propaganda and blitz that surrounds most of its product launches. Available with a 4GB memory capacity at a price of around Rs 4,900/-, the fact that there is a new version of the Apple iPod Shuffle in the market is quite surprising. With the older version still recent in the market, there is not quite that could change in the new generation Shuffle.
Well, it's still a cheaper version of the Apple iPod for people who prefer a simple music player. However, the new generation Apple iPod Shuffle comes a lot slimmer and taller than the earlier version with no marks or any signs of embossment on its body. There's a nice steel clip with an Apple embossing at the back to help you clip it to your shirt pocket.
You can find the earphone/USB socket along with a tiny power switch on the top of the iPod. What is even more striking is that this device is available only in one color - grey/sober silver. Moreover, the earphone cord is much less shorter than one that came with the 2nd generation iPod, making it extremely uncomfortable if you hold the iPod in your hand while listening to music.
Another bold departure from the past is the complete lack of controls on the body. The ring of buttons has disappeared as well. So, where have the controls gone? Well, they've been transferred to the earphone's cord. This leaves features like track navigation and volume changes to be actioned from the controls provided there. The idea behind this is to keep the controls accessible from the earphone cord while keeping the iPod tucked away in one's pocket.
The third generation Apple iPod Shuffle comes with a larger 4GB memory with an estimated capacity of around 1000 songs. With the ability of supporting play lists, it is not available in versions of smaller memory capacity, though the earlier generation Apple iPod Shuffle is still available in 1GB and 2GB capacities. The latest generation also supports VoiceOver, which is a text-to-speech engine that reads out the names of the songs and play-lists. In this manner you can flip between songs and play lists easily since there is no screen to display information.
Not many users are happy with the oversimplification of controls and adding the sophistication of VoiceOver technology. Playing songs, skipping between songs, forward and rewind, changing play-lists, and other such moves requires the user to master a number of click combination which can be a pain in itself. Moreover, the remote keeps on dangling on the earphone just beneath the ear, so accessing it while taking part in an activity like jogging, aerobics, or exercising, is painful as well. Well, wasn't the Shuffle was originally designed just for activities like these?
With this Apple iPod Shuffle, you will need Apple's own ear buds, but the problem is they're not very popular when it comes to sound quality and comfort. After market earphones are still a while away and they'll need to be licensed by Apple as there is a proprietary chip involved. Other earphones are simply useless since this iPod is no good without the controls provided on the earphone cord.
Though VoiceOver is available in 14 languages, it's an absolute debacle when it comes to recognizing the names of Hindi singers and songs. Despite some of its useful utilities, VoiceOver can be actually cumbersome while navigating the iPod, so some users may prefer to turn it off entirely. While the playlist functionality allows advanced management of play lists, there is nothing much that can be done with tracks and genres.
Apple rates the battery to last for around 10 hours. With this generation, Apple iPod gives no reason to complain about sound quality except for the ear buds. However, there's the added problem of usability and comfort, while the aesthetics rate better than the previous generation. So, there's a mixed response to the new gadget, and time will tell about its ultimate success.
Best Selling Apple iPods in India:
By: Nihit Aurora
Books on Music Players:
Disney Princess Music Player
Joel Whitburn Presents Songs & Artists
Portable Music Players
Well, it's still a cheaper version of the Apple iPod for people who prefer a simple music player. However, the new generation Apple iPod Shuffle comes a lot slimmer and taller than the earlier version with no marks or any signs of embossment on its body. There's a nice steel clip with an Apple embossing at the back to help you clip it to your shirt pocket.You can find the earphone/USB socket along with a tiny power switch on the top of the iPod. What is even more striking is that this device is available only in one color - grey/sober silver. Moreover, the earphone cord is much less shorter than one that came with the 2nd generation iPod, making it extremely uncomfortable if you hold the iPod in your hand while listening to music.
Another bold departure from the past is the complete lack of controls on the body. The ring of buttons has disappeared as well. So, where have the controls gone? Well, they've been transferred to the earphone's cord. This leaves features like track navigation and volume changes to be actioned from the controls provided there. The idea behind this is to keep the controls accessible from the earphone cord while keeping the iPod tucked away in one's pocket.
The third generation Apple iPod Shuffle comes with a larger 4GB memory with an estimated capacity of around 1000 songs. With the ability of supporting play lists, it is not available in versions of smaller memory capacity, though the earlier generation Apple iPod Shuffle is still available in 1GB and 2GB capacities. The latest generation also supports VoiceOver, which is a text-to-speech engine that reads out the names of the songs and play-lists. In this manner you can flip between songs and play lists easily since there is no screen to display information.
Not many users are happy with the oversimplification of controls and adding the sophistication of VoiceOver technology. Playing songs, skipping between songs, forward and rewind, changing play-lists, and other such moves requires the user to master a number of click combination which can be a pain in itself. Moreover, the remote keeps on dangling on the earphone just beneath the ear, so accessing it while taking part in an activity like jogging, aerobics, or exercising, is painful as well. Well, wasn't the Shuffle was originally designed just for activities like these?
With this Apple iPod Shuffle, you will need Apple's own ear buds, but the problem is they're not very popular when it comes to sound quality and comfort. After market earphones are still a while away and they'll need to be licensed by Apple as there is a proprietary chip involved. Other earphones are simply useless since this iPod is no good without the controls provided on the earphone cord.
Though VoiceOver is available in 14 languages, it's an absolute debacle when it comes to recognizing the names of Hindi singers and songs. Despite some of its useful utilities, VoiceOver can be actually cumbersome while navigating the iPod, so some users may prefer to turn it off entirely. While the playlist functionality allows advanced management of play lists, there is nothing much that can be done with tracks and genres.
Apple rates the battery to last for around 10 hours. With this generation, Apple iPod gives no reason to complain about sound quality except for the ear buds. However, there's the added problem of usability and comfort, while the aesthetics rate better than the previous generation. So, there's a mixed response to the new gadget, and time will tell about its ultimate success.
Best Selling Apple iPods in India:
By: Nihit Aurora
Books on Music Players:
Disney Princess Music Player
Joel Whitburn Presents Songs & Artists
Portable Music Players
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