Core77

Apple's new iPod Shuffle interface clears its throat

By Rain Noe - March 12, 2009

in Object Culture

There it is, Apple's talking iPod Shuffle, released yesterday. To get around the problem of interface--switching playlists was impossible without a screen for feedback--the gang at Cupertino has added the VoiceOver feature, which tells you what you're about to listen to, and keeps you updated of the battery situation.

There are 14 different languages available; here's to hoping someone will hack regional accents into the thing, so we can have our Johnny Cash playlist announced in a hayseed drawl, and a dictatorial Dieter-like voice leading in to Devo.

Apple has also stripped all controls off of the actual device and placed everything on the earbud cord. If you brought one of these devices into North Korea, they'd definitely confiscate it, but they sure wouldn't have any idea what the heck it did.

via reuters

o

Favorite This
Q
6

Comment

Comments

i-am-ant

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Well this new iPod Shuffle is getting a flurry of negative comments over many sites.
In terms of actually moving the iPod controls to the headphone cord I'm very much in favour for this. In using the iPhone for music I have found that using the mic button to play, pause, and skip tracks very useful, and much better than using the touch screen or even a click wheel.
I do believe that now having 4GB of storage on the Shuffle justifies having some kind of control over playlists. I would have been happy to see a 2GB version without the playlist control, and at a cheaper price that really set it apart from the more expensive Nano. Also I see the shuffle as a fashion accessory, so not releasing it in a multitude of colours seems odd, but I'm sure Apple will rectify this in a couple of months.
Overall I'm happy with the design, if not a little disappointed by a few short comings.
!Report as spam
Thiago

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Mariusz, Apple said it is also releasing an adapter for allowing the use of third-party earphones. That being said, I think this new Shuffle is awkward to use at best. Heck, navigating through playlists in a GUI is already mind-boggling for some users, just imagine having the voice telling you that you're listening to "Unknown Artist - Track 01" all the time. Time for the casual user to tag and organize his collection accordingly.
!Report as spam
lauren serota

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This seems in line with The Onion piece a bit ago (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary) - it's almost like Apple doing a spoof on Apple. I poo poo it for the same reason as Mariusz does in the previous comment (I prefer headphones that don't suck), but if the product does well, surely high quality audio companies will follow suit and offer a peripheral for their headphones to control the device.

I really wish Apple would stop making new shuffles every 5 minutes and make a friggin' tablet pc already.
!Report as spam
Martyn day

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I watched the quicktime movie. Not sure about the voice quality, sounds like the first rev of Dr. Stephen Hawkins speak and spell machine. Although, i would get quite a kick out of hearing him announce 'Smack my biatch up' was on next.

Agree, Apple headphones = Bontempi sound quality. Bit of a fatal flaw for real music lovers, so I'm sure it well sell zillions.
!Report as spam
emily

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Ew.
!Report as spam
Mariusz

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

As for me, it's a flop. There are nice things in it, but I wouldn't buy it. I mean, I use my iPod with Koss headphones, just because Apple ones are a total failure - they play like crap, they fall out of my ears, they are uncomfortable feeling when in the ear. If I purchased the new Shuffle, I wouldn't be able to use it without the original headphones or would have to buy ultra-expensive in-ear Apple headphones, which cost 450PLN whereas top-notch Koss or Sennheiser costs 200.

No, thanks, I'll pass on that one.
!Report as spam