Get Raw With iPod Shuffle
Ever since the release of
iPod shuffle, there has been much confusion as to the merits of this
ipod series. The original iPod boasted of other features like displaying
contacts, calendars, and notes; the ability to play games and to record
voice notes through an external microphone and store pictures with the
use of a media card reader. All of these were able to capture the high
and middle end users of portable audio players. But when you close
closely at the iPod shuffle, you’ll see that it was created for the
lower end market.
The iPod shuffle is Apple’s smallest,
easiest and most affordable audio player of the ipod series. Having
storage capacities of 512 MB and 1 GB, it is not only remarkable for
it’s size, price and design. It is also unique from the rest of the ipod
family because of its lacking LCD display. It is this quality that
makes consumers think twice before buying an iPod shuffle.
Unbelievable
as this may seem, there are those who find the iPod shuffle fitting
right in their lifestyle. There are those who prefer to keep low about
their players and just concentrate on their music. Those consumers are
the primary targets of the iPod shuffle. So despite the sacrifice in
display, it is also one advantage for the device.
Stripped
down of its accessories and naked on its functions, the iPod shuffle is
nothing more than a simple music player. How bare is it? Aside form the
lack of LCD display; iPod shuffle only has three simple toggle switches
on the back for the power switch, continuous play and shuffle mode. The
green stripe below the switch helps the user see what position its
switch is on.
Apple’s iPod shuffle communicates with
the user through two LEDs under the plastic housing out front of the
player. If you don’t know what that blinking yellow light is, Apple has
included an iPod shuffle “cheat card” that translate what the different
blinks and LEDs mean.
Some of the blinks are fairly
easy to understand. The iPod shuffle shows a steady green LED when it is
fully charged. But there are times when some lights are better without
it on the iPod shuffle. For example, the only way to know if the unit is
activated is to plug it in. Unless you’re sure to turn the iPod shuffle
off when not using it, you’ll soon be surprised to know that the
battery is drained after being accidentally activated as pressure is
applied through a pocket, purse, or backpack. There are dangers to over
charged batteries too.
Now it’s not an iPod without the
kind of click-wheel controller, and the iPod shuffle gives that to ipod
fans as well. Because navigation is impossible with iPod shuffle,
there’s no spinning wheel controller or even a Menu button. In its place
is a device that includes a round controller, which offers a Play/Pause
button in the middle and the four-way click ring on the outside for
volume control, Fast Forward/Next, and Rewind/Back.
For
the iPod shuffle to communicate with your computer, there is a USB
connector on the tip of the iPod shuffle. This can also link to an
optional third-party power supply. Having the connector built in the
iPod shuffle has its pros and cons. It is convenient because you don’t
need to bring along a cable to download music on your computer and move
it to your iPod shuffle. But at the same time, you must charge the unit
with your computer.
Another problem is the size of the
iPod shuffle. Since it is bigger than the usual key drives, it won’t
fit some computers like the Apple iMacs. In come the accessories
especially made to resolve the iPod shuffle’s limitations: the iPod USB
Power Adapter, the External Battery Pack and the iPod shuffle Dock.
Another great feature is the ability to specify amounts of storage space
on the device for music and data.
The iPod shuffle is
as good as any of the iPod models. The petite size, it’s about a pack of
gum, gives the user a chance to hide it under the shirt while walking
along the streets. The weight of it though is less appealing. Not to
mention that the lanyard for the iPod looks inadequate to support the
weight of the unit.
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