Apple iPod shuffle

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Introduction


Since the introduction of the first generation of iPod shuffle to Apple's goal was very clear. Provide the public with an MP3 player is essential, reduced in size and centered on the philosophy called by its name, or shuffle mode. This term, we specify the use of the least informed about the activities of Apple, Apple is nothing less than the mode of reproduction pieces in a random order or what in most of the competitors is called "random play".

The first generation iPod shuffle surprises the audience, not necessarily for the better.The Apple propose an MP3 player without display stating that, to the precise target of the product, the presence of a display was not indispensable.

The same road was then also covered by the second generation iPod shuffle, which has been facing a massive aesthetic restyling and saw the size reduced considerably. E 'with the second generation shuffle that Apple introduces the clip on the back of the player.

By a process of further simplification Apple proposes in last March the third generation iPod shuffle that extreme simplicity of the concept expressed by the models of first and second generation. The new iPod shuffle, in addition to having reduced dimensions ( the total bulk volume is equal to half of the already small shuffle second generation) loses the playback controls, which are moved into a small integrated in the cable of the earphones.

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iPod shuffle

The reduction in the size of the iPod shuffle has also led to a reduction in the volume of space of the pack. Apple, which for several years proves very sensitive to environmental issues, notes that the package is smaller by 40% and lighter by 33% compared with that used for the previous generation.

Inside the pack you can find, in addition to the little music player that offers 4GB of space, a mini-USB cable for connecting the player to the system, earphones with remote integrated remote, small manual of instructions and the inevitable stickers with the logo of apple .

It is difficult to describe an object so minimalist and poor in particular as the new iPod shuffle. The music player smaller and economically between the proposals of the Mela is being presented in a very small form factor (45.2 x 17.5 x 7.8 mm including clip), with something that at first glance distracted can remember a simple "pen" USB.

The shape is that of a small parallelepiped with rounded two sides, which does not present any kind of control or display. Profile on top is the power switch, which allows to determine the mode of reproduction of songs ,just by moving the switch to the first position activates the sequential order of reproduction, while moving the switch in the second position will start shuffle mode, which gives its name to the device itself.

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iPod shuffle connections and port

Next to the switch statement is the connector jack for headphones and a small LED that depending on the color and lighting of intermittently communicate different states of the player.

On the back of the player is loaded with a clip of steel, very durable and robust, allowing you to ensure the little music player in the shirt pocket, the edge of the shirt or the sleeves of a t-shirt.

The player shuffle to Apple can be personalized with laser engraving in which the user can decide to order. The incision is made onto bottom of the clip.

The decision to remove any type of control for playing songs Apple has put in the situation of having to deploy a remote on the earphone cable. The command was inserted a short distance, about 12cm, right into the headset so the user always knows where to find the command without having to scroll through the cable to your search.

Definitely in line with the extreme minimalism of the product, the remote controller is a plastic insert small, consisting merely of three buttons, the two sides of the central volume and which is intended to govern all other functions.

The management of the functions of reproduction is therefore assigned to the center button, which, depending on the number of pressures which will be subject, give specific commands to the music player. Apple has set the model for use in the following way: a single press on the center button will pause the song currently playing, or, conversely, will listen to the song currently paused. With two sudden pressures on the middle button you can switch to the next track of the playlist while three successive pressure will return to the previous track. In the latter case, if you make three successive pressure after six seconds into the song, will restart the current track.

There will also be the possibility of accelerated playback of a song, if you need to listen to a specific fragment. In this case the user needs to make a double press and hold the center button.you can also rewind, with three clicks and pressing the center button.

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Voice Over

The third-generation iPod shuffle is propagated as "the first music player that speaks to you." Apple has included in this model the VoiceOver function, or a solution of speech made possible through a number of technologies already used within its operating systems.

Support this functionality has been introduced to partially offset the lack of a display containing the information, a distinctive feature of the iPod shuffle line since the debut of the first model. VoiceOver, as spelled out in greater detail below, will announce the song title and the author as evidence of any playlist.

VoiceOver is also manageable via the remote on cable:
listen to the title and author of the song currently playing will be sufficient to hold the center button of the tiny remote control. To scroll through the playlist, which will be announced via VoiceOver, you must hold the center button until you hear a small beep. The reader will then read the titles contained in the playlist shuffle and when it came to the playlist you will just press the center button to select it and start playing.

Enabling VoiceOver functionality via iTunes:
Once synchronized with the music player, iTunes is to ensure the creation of messages VoiceOver, which will be stored within the iPod shuffle and allocated to each song or playlist. It 'important to note that VoiceOver supports 14 different languages, so that the messages are, as far as possible, free of errors in pronunciation. If, moreover, in iPod shuffle were present their songs with titles of different languages, the reader will read them correctly, managing to recognize the correct language for each title.

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Considerations


From a constructive iPod shuffle is proving to be an extremely compact device that can really find a place everywhere: the practical clip, also allows to ensure the player on your sleeve or the edge of any garment. Despite the small size, the iPod shuffle has shown excellent durability and scratch resistance rather convincingly, thanks to anodized aluminum finish. The clip was found to be quite solid

A note should not be spent on the earphones supplied, and at the level of output are not very convincing in the frequency and serious acute. For some subjects, in addition, form the headset can be uncomfortable or not fit perfectly to the shape of the ear, or leaking from the same in the case of stress such as during a session of jogging. If these issues are usually a marginal issue for most users, however it is good to remember that the presence of playback controls on the earphone cable prevents the ability to handle the player if they choose to use a headset most suitable for our needs. It will be necessary, therefore, appropriate to use third-party headphones can handle the operation of shipping via the remote on cable, which however should be to increase the total outlay.


Apple has recently announced its willingness to enter the market as soon as a small adapter that will allow any type of headset to control the player. It is not known, however, when the adapter will be available and, especially, at what price.

VoiceOver, although not essential, it proves to be a pretty useful feature and, together with the convenience of the small remote allows you to easily steer the reader. Playback operations are more difficult to explain that by implementing and managing the provision is in practice quite simple and intuitive, despite a period of initial skepticism.

The battery has demonstrated behavior consistent with the statements from Apple.A full charge was to address a session of playing continuously for 9 hours and 54 minutes, in fact respecting the 10 hours claimed by Apple. Obviously the small size of the device is a limit to the size of the battery and the resulting autonomy.

iPod shuffle course is also fairly limited if you have to manage numerous playlist or if you are in search of flexibility offered by readers of the highest class. However, given what the target audience for this product is of which requires only a small music player with no frills or special needs, something that takes a company while the principal activity is another.

The price of the iPod shuffle, which Apple offers a single cut in 4GB and two different colors (silver and black), is 4500rs to 5000rs Of course we must consider a greater outlay if you must, by necessity or habit, buy headsets from different characteristics than those supplied.