Digital Home Thoughts: Second Generation Shrinkage: The 2G iPod Shuffle Reviewed

What's In The Box?
Apple has matched the diminutive shuffle with equally diminutive packaging...

Includes:

• Brochure-style manual;
  
• Dock with USB connector;
  
• Quick reference card;
  
• An Apple logo sticker (like all other Apple products);
  
• Earbud headphones

First Impressions:
Once you get over the obvious shock of the size, your mind starts bending over how you're going to keep the Shuffle from disappearing. It really is that small. In fact, instead of telling you how small it is, let me show you:


Figure 1: The iPod Shuffle next to a US quarter.

What's most interesting is that Apple has chosen to integrate the clip into the device itself, meaning you won't have to worry about losing some belt clip or of buying some cheaply made import product that will invariably end up breaking off.

The case is a brushed anodized aluminum meaning you won't have the notorious iPod scratching issue with this baby unless you grind it along on the sidewalk. The control buttons on the front are large enough that even people with big paws can work the controls, and the switches on the edges give a nice tactile feel. The Shuffle comes with a grand total of 1 (yes, that's right, one) indicator light, which serves multiple purposes. It indicates battery charge and activity (playing / charging / syncing) and is bright and easy to see.

If you're like most geeks, though, the second you pick up a device, you look around for the connector. What you'll see on the Shuffle, however, is that there isn't an obvious data port anywhere on it. This is because Apple has taken the design a step further, eliminated an extra connector, and made everything work through the headphone jack.


Figure 2: Charging is done through the headphone jack, saving space on the device.

Overall, the device is designed every bit as well as you would expect an Apple product to be designed.

You Take The Good...
In the real world, the Shuffle is great for running, jogging, cycling, or whatever other activities would benefit from carrying a smaller and lighter device. If it wasn't a music player stuck in your ears, you'd never know it was still clipped on. The volume level is more than adequate for out-and-about usage, and even in busy and somewhat noisy environments, there's enough juice to keep your music from being drowned out by the noise around you.

Also, unlike its bigger brother, the iPod, the Shuffle has actual buttons on it. You can reach down, without seeing it, and know what you're doing. It's a huge plus when you have it clipped to your pocket, belt, or sleeve.


Figure 3: Real buttons make navigating, even with the device out of sight, relatively painless.


Figure 4: To keep the smooth contours on the face of the Shuffle, Apple moved the Shuffle and Power switches to the edge of the device.

The battery life is excellent, as it was with previous Shuffles. Apple rates its play time as 12 hours. While I can't say I've listened to music continuously at any point for that long, I can say that I've listened, left it, listen, left it, and have done this over and over for a week or two and so far haven't gotten the blinking orange light that says it's time to charge. In other words, in most common uses, I'd say the battery life will range from sufficient to excellent.