1 GB iPod Shuffle Review
Published February 09, 2005
I had to, I just had to. Sure I have a 60 GB iPod photo, but I had to get a Shuffle. This iPod shuffle is a 2-in-1. I can now get rid of my aging USB thumb drive, and have a super small iPod with me at all times.
This thing is tiny. You can fit it inside the coin pocket of a pair of jeans.
I am fairly happy with the iTunes 4.7.1 "Autofill" feature, it works OK. I have created a smart playlist to use with Autofill which I have found works better. But Autofill is a great feature, and nice addition to iTunes.
I do not understand why they made the design decision to put the laniard on the cap and not the main part of the iPod shuffle. I see this all too often on other USB thumb drives. If the Shuffle comes off of my neck I would rather have the iPod hanging around my neck in the long run (no pun intended) and not just the cap. Bad design if you ask me.
To Apple's credit, the cap does fit securely on the Shuffle. It fits better then the few USB thumb drives I have used, and it fits and stays on a lot better then my current thumb drive. It is reassuring to feel the cap "snap" onto the Shuffle.
My only other complaint with the iPod shuffle is the speed of USB 2 on the Mac. It is slow! USB 2 on Windows is pretty peppy. But putting *only* 512MB of music on my iPod, and its like watching grass grow. I am comparing of course the iPod photo firewire 400, and this USB 2 Shuffle, which of course has a transfer rate of 480Mbits/second. That theoretical might be closest under Windows, it is far from that on a Mac.
But what the heck. This thing cost me less then my prior 512 MB USB thumb drive, it weighs a lot less, is a lot smaller, and it even plays music. True to Apple's form, the navigation is simple and elegant, nothing short of what I expected.
I don't mind not having the a screen. It would add to the size and weight. Its fun to play "russian roulette" with your iTunes library. You should try it sometime.
Before you say it, yes I am still drinking the Kool-Aid. The Reality Distortion Field still exists. The sales figures of the Shuffle surely proves that.
Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.
- 1 GB iPod Shuffle Review
- Published: February 09, 2005
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- Section: Sci/Tech
- Writer: Ken Edwards
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I also have the 60G photo, but could not resist the shuffle. I think everyone (including Apple) would agree that we'd rather keep the shuffle instead of the cap, but when I hear the music play so crisp out of this little itty bity thing, I forget the flaws and enjoy songs.
And to Apple's credit, the cap does fit snug. I need to add that to my review.
this might sound really stupid but i was just wondering do u get to pick the song you are listening to?
thanks
What is the difference between a cap and a shuffle?
the iPod shuffle has a small cap over the USB port, it snaps on. You get two caps, one with and without a laniard attached to it.
There is an Autofill feature in the new iTunes 4.7.1 that is specifically for the iPod Shuffle. What it does is choose songs randomly from your library, a playlist, or a smart playlist. You do not have to use this feature. If you want to drag your own selection of tunes to the Shuffle, you can. The Autofill feature is just there to help you "Shuffle" your music.
I really like this feature. I have my Shuffle Autofill from a smart playlist I made. Every time I come home I resync it and get a different set of music. I like it that way. I am pretty sure that was the idea Apple had in mind when thinking of the use of the Shuffle.
But by all means you can "think different."
Yo blud, just to mention that I am informed the shuffle uses a special 'ball-bearing' locking system to hold the cap in securely... lol.
Does anyone know whether I can use this in Windows XP as a standard flash drive to drag and drop music and files and listen, without having to install bait itunes? Perhaps I could even use Media Player 10 to sync music, obviously have to make sure its not in wma format tho, the iDevice would have a field day...
Dover
Ken, is it possible that your Mac is moving the data at USB 1.1 speeds, not USB 2.0 at all? Only the most recent Macs have USB 2.0 at all.
why buy it when you can get it for free here
The offers are legit, my friends have gotten their free ipod.
All you have to do is join, complete an online offer, and refer friends to do the same. That's it!
AM I INSANE?
Or the only person on the planet SANE?
Does the IPOD SHUFFLE load one huge play list or let you break it down into play lists (BY album) so you can navigate from song to song AND album to album???
I have found ABSOLUTLY no indication it does, and yes I have one, and have done - looked - and tried everything.
YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY, WHO CARES IF IT MIXES MUSIC - IS IT USER FRIENDLY!!!
If I can't skip through and find my ALBULM how the fuck am I gonna use this lil bastard. SORRY BUT U LAME PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK!!!
I still love it tho =)
i dont have a clue how to download songs to my iPod shuffle, please help me!
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Have to agree with regards to the laniard. Doesn't make sense to put it on the cap and not the iPod shuffle itself?