iPod Shuffle review: Cool but compromised

The new iPod Shuffle succeeds in its leading innovation: It recites song and playlist information to you clearly and intelligibly. But the new pint-sized Apple music player is compromised in some other ways.

Having now used the new $79 device, which launched this week, here's my take on its strengths and weaknesses:

Pluses:

The voice feature works fine. This is key, since the new VoiceOver technology aims to compensate for the Shuffle's lack of a screen—its leading drawback.

A gentle squeeze on the remote—mounted on the cord for the right earbud—prompts the music to fade and a voice to announce the name of the song and artist; the song then returns to normal volume. I found the voice to be pleasant and intelligible. That's in spite of the fact I was using the device synced to a PC, in which the voice is a bit more mechanical-sounding than when the Shuffle is synced to a Mac—as this Apple demo demonstrates.

Accessing playlists is a bit less convenient, I found. To do so, you continue squeezing the remote as it begins to recite voice information. The Shuffle then begins naming the playlists you've loaded onto the device. I found the pause between each announcement a bit trying, and changing lists to be slower than on players with a screen.

Its tiny size and relatively large capacity. The Shuffle is now among the smallest 4GB players around. Less than half the size of the old Shuffle, and less squarish in shape, the device is very unobtrusive—and, perhaps, easy to lose. And its capacity, double that of the 2-GB Shuffle it replaces, allows up to 1,000 songs to be stored.

Minuses:

The lack of controls on the device itself. Despite the new Shuffle’s shrunken size, there appears to be room on its top to duplicate the small (about an eight-of-an-inch wide by an inch long) controls found on the earbud cord. Had Apple added those, you wouldn't be forced to always locate and press the controls on the cord—which I found to be sometimes tricky when jogging or walking. I found it was all too easy when on the go to accidentally yank out the earbud when adjusting the controls.

The proprietary headphones. These sounded fine to me, and most other Apple headphones we've tested in the past have also been decent or better performers (see our headphone Ratings, available to subscribers).

But the fact that the 'phones hold the sole controls for the Shuffle compels you—at least until any third-party alternatives hit the market—to exclusively use them, or upgraded $79 Apple phones, which have longer earbuds. If neither is comfortable for you, or up to your sonic standards, you're out of luck. And if you lose the 'phones or leave them behind when you leave the house, you’ll be unable to use the device until you get another set; the supplied 'phones cost $29 to replace.

It's pricey given its skimpy features. A $79 price tag is low for an iPod, and it isn't atypical for a 4-GB MP3 player, as our Ratings (available to subscribers) illustrate. But competing players generally offer more bells and whistles for the same price—including controls on the player and a screen.

With its bigger capacity and voice capability, this new Shuffle is more versatile than the old $49, 1-GB model, which remains available. And it's undeniably small. But its screenlessness means that, despite its voice feature, navigating music is compromised and you obviously can't use it for photos, videos, or other applications.

Given that and other factors, we recommend at least considering non-Apple players before shuffling to buy this newest iPod.

—Mike Gikas

Comments

[Kristen]

I recently purchased the new ipod shuffle. I run and go to the gym quite a bit (at least five days a week) and needed something less bulky than my iTouch to take with me while exercising. Although I read several reviews by people claiming to have had issues with the controls after they were exposed to sweat I decided to buy the shuffle anyways. I've used it several times, both running and while working out at the gym and I have not had an issue at all. I'm not a huge sweater, but even if I were, I fail to see how sweat could interfere with the controls on the headphones, they don't even touch your body. As to the headphones staying in while running, I'm completely satisfied with mine. I've gone through several ipods and several headphone models, and the ipod ones do the job just as well as any others.

[Dawson]

Thank you Dave...I completely agree...I work out 6 days a week and I have never in my life seen sweat going down my iPod chord nor are they wet after. I can totally see people chewing on it and that would cause it or possibly getting it wet at the drinking fountain...that's more likely...just deal with it that its a shuffle for a reason and not meant to be like the other larger iPods, use it for what its designed for (choose a playlist and do what you gotta do) if you want to change the song, you should not have put that song on your playlist in the first place. This is perfect size and I have never had any issues with it. Great move Apple.

[Dave]

I'm not sure how people sweat on the controller. It hangs 5 inches below the earbud so it doesn't even touch my face. Unless your head is a watermelon (in which case you have a problem) or you fell into the pacific ocean I am seriously trying to think of a scenario where sweat would get into it. Maybe take it out of your mouth and stop chewing on it. I like how it is small, obviously light in weight and as far as no display, if you run or jog who needs a display just put the damn thing on random and do your thing. It's not a storage device where you put 10,000 songs like the larger ipods its a shuffle so put a couple hundred songs on there (AT MOST) do your workout and quit wining. I'm lucky if I go through 25 songs during a workout anyway.

[bret]

New ipod shuffle blows. I recently had to exchage the old shuffle, which broke due to sweat.. but atleast you could control songs.. and/or skip songs if you dont feel like listening to that particular one.... very disappointed in this product... it appears cheaper, but cost more money.... Great Product Manager apple has... Why don't you go out ask the users.. Might help w/ next design...

[Keith]

I use my shuffle when riding my bicycle, my very first ride the sweat ruined the controller on the ear phones. I had purchased a second set of ear phones thinking that over time I would break the pair but I never thought a little sweat would ruin them. After I returned home I used my other pair and the system worked. My old shuffle lasted in the rain, I would just protect the device, there is no way to protect the controller on the ear phones from getting wet. Don't buy it if you exercise.

[Bill Becher]

Apple earbuds suck.. I don't even unwrap them. Apple could have made the controls with a jack that all earphones could plug into. But that's Apple culture, controlling, thinking the're always the best.. sorry, but it's not true..

[Frodo]

Wow. I'm glad I didn't get his iPod shuffle. I have the iPod touch 2g which is the best iPod in my opinion unless you like having more than a couple thousand songs or whatever. I don't even know that many! Anyway, I think even having the second shuffle wouldn't be bad cuz It has the controls on the actual device. And is the voice over hard to hear in loud places like on the subway and such?

[Ernesto]

One drop of sweat and the controls quit working. Makes them useless for exercising, at least if you sweat a lot like I do.

[Gary]

The new shuffle is awful. It takes time to navigate songs and the ear pieces are uncomfortable. Also, I am on my third shuffle in 5 mo. The ear pieces keep breaking and my third one just broke. I am very disappointed in this device and would not recommend buying it.

[James]

I should have read this review before I impulsively bought this new device. I really hate this new IPod shuffle. The earbuds are cheap and poorly designed and fall out of my ears when I exercise (wouldn't you think most consumers would want this tiny device to use during exercise?... the cord is also on the short side for taller people like me). So, because the controls are on the earbud cord, in order to upgrade the headphones one needs to buy specifically designed Apple earbuds. The next upgrade from Apple? $79, as much as you'll pay for this shuffle (outrageous!)

I predict this new shuffle will flop and be redesigned very soon.

[Jeanne]

Unfortunately, the ear buds fall out of my ears. They are also painful to wear.

[Geraldo]

Apple will get rid of this 3rd generation really soon to replace it with the 4th one implanted on the proprietary headphones or maybe under your skin. I think the doctors would suggest to get in implanted inside the ear, so you could eliminate the use of headphones. Oh, about the controls, it would be seem just as a nice piece of technology earring hanging out of your ear. Maybe Apple could shape the controls as a tiny bitsy apple, so you could be proud to show off that new technological design.
Is it always the smallest the best? I don't think so. Maybe it cam be, but just if you use your brain to do so.
Sorry Apple, but this is not for me. I rather stick with the other players on the market, still really small, but with screen, radio, recorder, expandable memory, longer life battery and all controls that I need (on the right place).players on the market, still really smal, but with screen, radio, recorder, expandable memory, and all controlls that I need.

[Jason]

The new iPod shuffle is talking, or should I say... Voice Over. Now you can track it and join the conversation with your friends. Given its size, the next generation will be built in the ear buds.