I’m An Apple Fanboy, but The New Shuffle…

Posted on 19 March 2009 by


shuffle

One impact of Apple’s announcement of version 3.0 of the iPhone OS on the 17th was that it keeps the device from becoming obsolete. Based upon the announcement it’s clear that every new functionality in version 3.0 will work with the iPhone 3G, and the majority of the new functionality will even work with the original iPhone. That’s pretty amazing considering how quickly technology moves and the fact that, in a consumer electronics world, an almost 2 year old device is rapidly moving into the territory of being “an antique”.

On the other hand, however, there is a device on the market from Apple that will, I suspect, be obsolete quite quickly and, like the “fat” iPod Nano, will be a one generation device at best. I’m talking about the new iPod Shuffle. shu1

There’s no doubt that the new shuffle breaks new ground as a beautiful example of industrial design. Moreover, the new VoiceOver technology that allows you to hear the song and search playlist by voice is wickedly interesting. Having used the device for almost a week now however, I have to tell you that I’m underwhelmed, and I think it will be a short lived device.

Let me start with the good.

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The device is beautiful and much better looking than the prior, utilitarian, version. It’s so small and unusual, and it just feels great. The clip is sturdy, and the fact that the 4GB device could easily be used as a tie clip is kind of cool. The VoiceOver feature is more than a gimmick; with it you simply tap the middle button and it tells you the song currently playing or the playlist, and it even lets you select a new playlist. It requires no training, and although the voice is rather robotic, it works very very well. It’s really a nice feature that I hope will come to the iPhone and iPod.

That, however, is where the good news ends. The lack of buttons is the very bad news.

shufold

Buttons were limited on second generation iPod Shuffle but they were there. Without looking you could stop the music, start the music, increase or decrease the volume, and skip or repeat a song. You could do it with your eyes closed, and you could do it without having to think too much about it. It “just worked”.

By removing the buttons and putting it on the headphones you lose all that and replace it with technological innovation and… frustration!

g1

There are three “buttons” on the cord, and with them you need to do EVERYTHING. It is remarkably unintuitive. Sure you don’t have to see anything since the VoiceOver speaks to you, but it’s incredibly frustrating to try to use it to navigate when, in the past, you could intuitively use the buttons. The choice to use it would be great (and I would love to see it in iPhone 3.0), but the requirement to use it? Nope.

Add to that the fact that the buttons are high up on the headphone cord in a position that is actually difficult for me to reach, and you have a formula for a really frustrating experience.

Then there is the proprietary headphone issue. In order to use the Shuffle I have to let go of the Etymotic headphones I use on a daily basis and go back to… gasp… stock Apple buds. Is there really a difference? YOU BET THERE IS! Yes, there will be 3rd party headphones (Etymotic among them), but they won’t be out for at least a month or two. AND once you spend the additional money on top of the $80.00 device you are into or past 8-16GB Nano-land. And did I mention that  I already have expensive ear buds but can’t use them??? This is nothing short of annoying.

shuffrown

Put these two issues together, and I think you have an excellent case in which Apple, who is known for form AND function chose form OVER function this time.

I think we have a one generation device here.

Unless…

…unless Apple or a third party provider develops an accessory that has buttons and a non-proprietary connector into which the current shuffle can slip. That would provide the flexibility of a 4GB device that HAS tactile controls or a tiny one without.

Short of that… anyone interested in an upcoming collector’s item?!

This post was written by:

- who has written 2793 posts on Gear Diary.

Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. +Dan Cohen

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  • http://www.geardiary.com Mitchell Oke

    Completely agree, needs buttons on the device, having buttons only on the cord is ridiculous for the very reason you mentioned: aftermarket headphones. The stock ones suck, and to not be able to use my Sennheisers turns me off this completely. I’ll be sticking with my 2nd Gen Shuffle for use at the gym, it’s perfect for it.

  • runningman

    Two sides to everything I guess. I’ve had all the iPods, including the 3G iPhone (skipped the original iPhone) – and this is just another iteration of design ingenuity on display. I have the new shuffle, and it works very well. Small, out of the way, and very easy to use with the headphone controls. I use the Apple in-ear headphones with remote, which are good for their price range (I also have pretty much every level of headphones up to UE custom in-ear monitors), and its a decent sounding rig. The sound is very clear, and I honestly don’t have any major issues with the controls. If it’s your only iPod, then yes there are perhaps better choices. If it’s an addition to your sound collection, then it’s pretty much fun to have a pint sized techno toy talking to you.

  • Dan Cohen

    runningman- all good points. I LOVED the design and the idea of it but in the end the VoiceOver added a lot for me but the loss of buttons took away much more than the VoiceOver added. In balance it didn’t work for me but, as you said, two sides… and why there are multiple flavors of ice cream.

    That noted, the 2gen Shuffle a bit smaller PLUS VOICEOVER would have been a homerun in my book.

  • runningman

    Dan, I agree – but that would have just made too much sense! Thanks for the great, well balanced review.

    Bill

  • http://www.s-consult.com/index.php Wayne Schulz

    I think Apple’s “theory” is that people who buy shuffle’s don’t bring their own earphones.

    That said – I agree with you that proprietary headphone adapters are not good, I won’t buy them and I hope nobody else will.

  • Joel McLaughlin

    The new Shuffle has Steve’s name all over it. Steve abhors buttons. If he could make a Mac with no buttons, he would. However, Steve isn’t always right.

    If you need proof of who is still in control at Apple, then you need look no further than the new Shuffle.

  • wayne0041

    I should start by saying that I’m not an audiophile however I enjoy a comfortable earbud. The standard iPod earbuds simply do not fit well in my ears. As a result, I did some research and found a company called Earsound Customs (www.earsound.com). They sell an iPod attachment which enables me to take the standard iPod earbuds, fit them snugly into the iPod attachment and then put the iPod attachment into my ears. The iPod attachments are made from impressions taken from my ears so I have a true custom fit. The impression process only takes 10 minutes. An unintended benefit is that my cell phone’s hands free device also fit into the iPod attachments so I can listen to my conference calls in comfort. Hope this helps.