Bernskiold Media

Apple updates iPod Shuffle

Apple released a brand new and updated iPod Shuffle yesterday which was actually pretty surprising considering that they usually do releases on Tuesdays and not on Wednesdays. However, it is really a brand new iPod that isn’t really like any of the previous shuffles. 

Controls moved to headphone cord

The main new thing with the new shuffle is that they have made it even smaller and they have done that by removing the play controls from the main device and instead put them onto the earbud cord, like the iPhone’s or most closely the iPod Touch’s. As an iPhone user, I really love my earbud controls and only wish that I could get volume control right on there as well, which would have been just super and it is for that reason I think this is actually a good thing, however having it as the only option seem just a bit foolish. They are locking you into their own pair of headphones if you don’t want to purchase and use a dongle. Perhaps having controls at both the device and the cord would have been the best.

VoiceOver

One of their newest features in the Shuffle, which I think will really make a big hit is the VoiceOver feature that not only speaks the name of the track you are listening to right now, but also has the ability to speak all of the playlists on the Shuffle (that’s right, because of this you can now have different playlists). You’ll because of this be able to organize your music, even on the Shuffle!

Bottom Line Specs

The new iPod Shuffle sells for $79 in the Apple Store and is currently at release available for shipping in 3-5 business days. It is available in the 4GB size and in the two colours, black and silver, both in a shell of Aluminium.