Apple iPod shuffle 4 GB Silver (3rd Generation) OLD MODEL by Apple Computer
|
Our Price: $85.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $43.75 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Apple iPod shuffle 4 GB Silver (3rd Generation) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: Looks great, terrible design
Summary: 1 Stars
Just the fact of having the controls on the headphones is already a big reason to not buy this product. The Apple headphones have never been that great to begin with. If you really want a shuffle, Apple still has the 2nd generation available and you can use any comfortable/quality headphones on the market today.Digital camera Review: Love it, with two irritations
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using the 3rd gen Shuffle for a couple of weeks. I love the design, I love the capacity for more songs than I need at the gym, and even though the controls took a while to learn, I love the ability to skip songs and adjust volume without looking at anything or fishing around in my pocket (perfect for exercising). The Shuffle is shockingly small - I'm afraid that I'm going to accidentally run it through the washing machine in a shirt pocket. However, the smallness is really nice because it clips on my clothes without any trouble. The earphones sound okay (weak bass), but they fit very securely in my ears (another plus for exercising). I love the ability to create playlists; this has given me sufficient control over groupings of songs.
I have two frustrations. First, like everyone else, I'm irritated that an earphones adapter isn't available. I want to connect the Shuffle to my home and car stereo, but without an adapter I can't navigate or pause songs. Second, podcasts. They lump them all together like a playlist of songs, which makes it difficult to find what I'm looking for, forcing me to synch far fewer podcasts than I originally hoped for.
Summary: I love it, use it all the time, glad I bought it, but I'm waiting with growing irritation for an earphones adapter for home and car stereo use.
Digital camera Review: Misleading
Summary: 1 Stars
Can't use it except for with Apple headphones which are the worst for running. No where is that explained.Digital camera Review: More "work-out" friendly, good as a 2nd player, not so happy about the proprietary headphones.
Summary: 3 Stars
You'll like the new shuffle if you're buying it expressly for your active workout sessions. For other occasions you would be better off with a player with a screen.
I loved the concept of the 1st gen shuffle and bought it right way. It was an MP3 player for an active lifestyle and made the iPod accessible to those who did not want to break the bank. Then they upped the game by creating an even tinier version with the 2nd gen shuffle. I thought that the clip was the best addition to the 2nd gen as I always had problems with the 1st gen falling out of my pocket.
Now that we have many, many lower price MP3 players in the market, the 2nd Gen shuffle was primarily used by me and many others (I would think) while on the move or exercising. So Apple has redesigned this 3rd gen shuffle to be friendlier for the active workout. Was this redesign really, really needed? Maybe not, or maybe even yes....depends on how you use it.
I have a couple of cheap 2 GB Sansas, an 8 GB Transcend, a 30 GB Zune and an 8GB iPhone - all with screens and many more features. Call me lazy, but now the MP3 players are so cheap, I almost use them like my CD folder I used to have to lug around. So I have classical music on one of them, "car music" on one I use in the car through the FM feature etc. etc.
So why would I buy the new shuffle? It's not just because I gave away my 2nd gen shuffle to a friend, but really because this player is more workout friendly - even more than the 2nd Gen Shuffle.
How is the new shuffle more work-out friendly for me?
- Larger capacity - from 2 GB to 4 GB means it holds many more songs to suit my mood. Having so many players (and most people probably have more than one) I don't really want to update them everyday, 4GB lets me put more workout friendly songs I want on there and update once in a while.
- No buttons on the player - At first I thought it was crazy (and it is a drawback if you want different headphones) but actually, this is what I really wanted. I used to keep clipping the 2nd gen shuffle on in different places and because the position of the buttons would change I would keep hitting the wrong buttons when not looking at the device, which was most often the case. Now Apple took away that problem by putting the controls on the headset. It creates an added problem of not being able to switch headsets but it allows me to put the shuffle out of the way and not have to look down at the buttons which is great if you're on the move.
The Controls? The tapping system of the controls on the headset is pretty intuitive actually once you get it. The left and right sides are for volume up and down and the middle toggle button is for all other navigation. I like it more than the clumsy "on player" navigation system of some of my devices. Tapping the headphone controls comes much more naturally if you're on the treadmill or on a trail - and a voice tells you the playlist. You need not look down and fumble with the player.
The power on/off and shuffle button is the same as before.
- Voice Over - This is a nice feature. My biggest problem with the first gen and 2nd gen shuffle was lack of navigational tools. The V/O helps navigate better although your playlist still has to be organized and you still have to know it.
- The Sound - I thought the 1st gen shuffle sounded better than the 2nd gen and now the 3rd gen seems to sound better than 2nd gen too.
- The Clip - This has always been a great feature and I am glad Apple retained it.
- Lighter and Smaller - I don't really care about this one, the earlier shuffle was small enough for me, but I do like the elongated design more than the square as the clip is longer.
Now for the bad -
- Not good as your only player - The new shuffle is designed for specific usage and in my opinion not a great choice as your only MP3 player. In this price range, you can find some much better players with screens, FM radio, Voice Recorders, even gaming capabilities.
- Controls on the headphone - The Apple headphones while not bad, are not the greatest. This means I have to now buy another specially designed accessory for this player. The Apple headphones keep falling out of my ears. This is why I lower this rating to 3 stars. While Apple solved some problems of 2nd Gen, I don't like having to spend more just to use this player effectively. But some companies are already building "adapters" which will allow you to circumvent using the Apple phone. Still, I hate having to shell out money for an "adapter" especially as I thought not having too many buttons was a good thing!
- Organized Playlists - The V/O feature on shuffle announces your playlists and allows you to go to a specific playlist, but it is still hard to jump to a specific song very quickly like on a device with a screen. You need to have organized playlists. It is slightly harder when you're dealing with international or offbeat Music. There is a little bit of GIGO (garbage in garbage out) going on here. I have an older collection of 4000+ songs that I imported into iTunes and a lot of the genre, artist, year etc. info is missing. To use the V/O feature more effectively, I need to have more organized playlists. I still haven't gotten around to putting my songs in playlists, maybe one fine day...
- Headphones - Apple headphones are ok as they come in terms of sound quality, much better than some others you get with devices in this price range. However, some other reviewers have said that their headphones started malfunctioning when exposed to sweat/moist climate. This was not a problem with on player controls but with headphone controls it is certain that they will be exposed more to the elements. I haven't put my headphones to the test but would hate to have them malfunction with the first raindrop! Also, it will take some learning before I know where the buttons are on the headphone and can tap them intuitively. Right now I keep fumbling to find them.
Overall, this new shuffle is still sleek, and if you like Apple headphones a nice player for your work-out/active usage.
Digital camera Review: My wallet lost more weight than I did
Summary: 1 Stars
Pros: It works and the technology behind it is cool, small, good rock skipper for the pond ;)
Cons: The implementation of the technology was poorly done.
What a disappointment. The first flaw was the proprietary headphones. That's right, you can only use Apple's included headphones. No upgrading to some nice noise canceling ones or those favored in ear type ear buds. My other headphones are useless with this device.
The voice feature is cool, but who REALLY needs to hear a robotic voice tell you what's playing, especially the one allocated for "PC" users. What the heck? Does apple really need to sell iTunes that bad? Can't we all get along?
The controls are useful in some situations (in a dark cave;), but for the most part you'll be fiddling around with something that's constantly moving if you're walking/running. The controls are best left on the device where at least you can clip or strap IT down while working, walking, or jogging.
Weight? It's light, but so is my 2G and most other small MP3 players...duh.
Price Price Price...$$$. In the end, we just shelled out 80 smacks for the play list feature, which should have been implemented into the 2G model. Not worth it.
Me...I'm going back to my 2G or getting a Nano. I may even ditch apple altogether cause my wallet is loosing more weight than I am...LOL. Good luck.