As anticipated, Steve Jobs introduced a flash-based player, dubbed the iPod Shuffle, at the tail-end of his Macworld keynote. Despite denouncing flash-based players in the past, Apple couldn't resist the 29 percent of the market that it doesn't already dominate.
Minimal as can be, the Shuffle weighs less than an ounce, has no LCD, includes a built-in USB 2.0 interface, and comes in 512MB and 1GB capacities for the super competitive prices of £69 and £99, respectively. While other companies are packing their flash players with a boatload of features, Apple has created a device that stands on two concepts: affordability and simplicity. Turn it on, press play, and do the iPod Shuffle. However, it's not the right MP3 player for everyone. And it's certainly neither the first sub-£100 1GB nor LCD-less player we've seen.
Design
No LCD screen, USB 2.0 built right in, and wearable--the concepts aren't new. Still, as a white plastic strip with only a few buttons, no LCD, and a touch of bright green, the Shuffle is a visual masterpiece. It's only 0.84 cm thick and less than 3cm wide, and it weighs a feathery 22 grams. A simple, round controller features all-tactile buttons and makes the Shuffle feel more like a wireless remote than an MP3/AAC/WAV/Audible player--there's no learning curve.
On the back, you'll find a cute, wide sliding switch that powers on the Shuffle either in Playlist repeat mode or Shuffle mode. Underneath the switch is a tiny battery-indicator button that lights up green, orange, or red depending on what's left of the charge; green is good. The main physical features are rounded out by a headphone jack on the top and a removable (and losable) cap for the built-in USB 2.0 plug on the bottom.
All's not perfect, though. The power switch can be difficult to activate, as just the right amount of friction is needed. We often found ourselves squeezing the Shuffle with force just to turn it on. At about 8cm inches at its longest, the Shuffle isn't as small as everyone likes to think--it's just super thin. But after operating it for a couple of weeks, we realized it was the proper length to hold and that having the built-in USB is well worth the extra size.
The most critical drawback, though, is the lack of an LCD. A display is certainly not a requirement for the Shuffle and its surrounding philosophy that you listen to it as you would an Internet radio station. You can move onto the next song or let it pick a song randomly. People have used LCD-less Walkmans for years, and Creative's original MuVo started the craze for MP3 players. Other examples include the BeoSound 2 and the Mubie. While we understand and appreciate the concept of no LCD and random play, we like the modern LCD and its ability to display track, EQ, battery, and other "biological" info. Occasionally, you'll hear a good but anonymous song, and you'll find yourself going back to your PC to find out the track's artist and title.
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Simeon Kudratt 14 May 2006
Good: Size, weight and price.
Bad: No LCD. I've got one that simply no PC will detect.
Comment: I like its simplicity and dedicated volume and it goes damm loud. Its the only player in the iPod range I'd suggest simply cos you can move the songs onto other computers with it. Something other iPods are incapable of. This may not be quite true, but I have done this myself once.
chris lynch 15 July 2005
Good: nice size, simplistic
Bad: you wont read this review through because it's anti-ipod
Comment: Well done, reading this youre thinking "hey ive got one of those (am im gonna )"well dont let me stop you. Let me instead say try to look at the bigger picture. What apple have manage to do is take a perfectly good mp3 player ripped it to its bare bones, claim this is a good thing and charge the same amount of money. Firstly the lack of a screen is pitiful, imagine the scene where you lend it to youre friend, they hear a song they like, but they dont know whats its called because there's no screen to tell you.
Whats that i hear you scream " i only want shuffle on my way to work i ca'nt constantly be changing songs" Well my answer to that is, every self-respecting flash player does has shuffle mode which can be turned ON or OFF which after reading the shuffles specs seems almost space age. Having 3 settings for how much battery is left! lots a bit, none; i find this extremely vague. No lcd means no way to ability to display track, EQ, battery, and other "biological" information. Lastly no abilty for radio is a major drawback when supposidly its designed as if "you're listening to an online radio station". And lastely (ohh yes theres more) the battery length of to quote CNET "15 hours out of the Shuffle, which is considerably less than some other flash-based players out there"
If i have enlightened you in any way im thankful and will be happy to answer any questions.
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