Friends, This is a continuation of my review on the iPod shuffle which I wrote one year back. Now I have the new version of the shuffle in my hand and I must say apple keeps doing things better. I will list down here the additional features in the new iPod and my experience with it.
(You can always read my previous review to have a good all round review of the shuffle:
https://mouthshut.com/review/Apple_Ipod_Shuffle_1GB-146496-1.html)
Let me start in Mouth Shut recommended way of writing reviews:
(*) Why I purchased: Well, I am using iPod for more than 2-1/2 years. A new version came and I
cannot stop myself from buying it.
() Features of the product: **Please read my previous review in the given link to get the full idea of the previous version of the product. Read the PROS from previous review. Cons will be listed here. I am going to list down the additional feature in the new version:
(https://mouthshut.com/review/Apple_Ipod_Shuffle_1GB-146496-1.html)*
PROS:*
- Small Size and clip:
Apple has kept the shuffle small and compact. Now the new version is in a bar shape. It also has a clip behind it so that you can clip it anywhere u like e.g in your shirt, jeans pocket etc etc. The clip is really strong and it does not slip off. So you can just clip the iPod and forget about loosing it.
2.Ease of use:
*All the points in the previous review holds good here. But a little change has been made. The volume control and the playlist control has been moved to the ear phone set rather than the iPod body. It makes it easier to control the volume and songs on the go. The control in the earphone will be somewhere near your neck when you are using it, so you do not have to search for the iPod(which might be in ur pocket or clipped somewhere) to change your volume or the song. The on/off switch and the shuffle/repeat mode is still on the iPod body. Over all it is very simple to use and you do not have spend a lot of time in getting used to it.
- Shuffle Mode:
You can use the toggle switch given at the side of the
device to play all your songs either sequentially or in shuffled manner.
- Battery Indicator:
This feature is same as in the previous iPod version. Check the previous review.
- Data\Music Space:
*As previous version, you can divide the available memory of the shuffle to store
your personal data separately from your music store by using settings in iTune. This new version comes with 2 capacity i.e. 2GB(59$+tax) and 4GB(79$+tax).
6.Sound Quality:
No competition here. It is the best. Please see the detail in previous review.
7. Voice Over:
This is a new feature that is added to the shuffle. It helps you in recognising the album, playlist, artist etc for the songs. The iPod talks to you as they say:).It is a really cool addition to the new version.
To know more about this new feature, check here: https://apple.com/ipodshuffle/voiceover.html
- Playlist Option:
Now this is also a good addition to the shuffle. You can make different playlists and store in the shuffle. So, you can choose to store different moods, films, genre of song and arrange them as you want. Voice Over feature will help you recognising which playlist you are going to play.
*CONS:
1. Earphone Rubber: *
Earphone rubber comes out after a long use. The problem is still there.
- *Battery is not
replaceable: *
As usual Apple ipods dont have a replaceable battery. If
damaged, you have to go to the Apple service center to replace it.(But, my experience says, the inbuilt
battery provided is very good and you can buy the player without bothering about
this particular disadvantage. My last iPOD battery is running as new even after almost 3 years).
- Uploading Music:
You can only
upload music to your shuffle using the Apple’s iTune software which is available
free from Apple site. You cannot just copy paste your songs from your system to
iPod shuffle. Initially you will find it tricky to use the iTune to upload your
songs to iPod. Once familiar, you can use it very easily and will face no
problem after that.
- Ear Phone:
In the new version the controls for the volume and music are placed on the ear phone. This makes the ear phone costly. Now if you loose your ear phone or it gets damaged then you have to spend a liitle more to get a new one. Also, you cannot use a normal ear phone, which does not have music control on it, with this shuffle version. If you use, then you will not have control on the music or volume:)
Well, after noting down all this pros and cons, I will say you will never repent after buying a Shuffle. You will realise that this is one of your best and satisfying purchase ever. The player is awesome and the style of it is too good. Clip it and see others watching you. The new design is sure to attract a lot of eye ball. I see that in every day bus journey:)
Hope this will help you in deciding to go for the new, evoved little wonder in mp3 player.
For more detail on spec, check the apple site here: https://apple.com/ipodshuffle/specs.html