How to control the new shuffle if you don't want to use the incl. earphones

There was also a huge difference between the first iPod shuffle and any ipod before. Oh my... it has NO SCREEN. "Major FAIL, dude!" And yet, it wasn't.

I'd say going from having the "control mechanism" on the iPod's body to having the "control mechanism" on the earphone cable is much smaller difference. For the majority of users who use the included earbuds, it will be an improvement.

That's why I like my old 1st gen shuffle the best. Because it is in my hands in the proper orientation (so I can use it without looking), and I don't have to reach anywhere and break my arm motion. And the earbuds never fall out for me. 🙂

And 1GB is about the right storage size for a player with no screen.

In fact, I hope one of the clever third-party adapters is one that attaches to the new shuffle and makes it feel like the 1st gen shuffle. That is, no cable between the shuffle and the adapter, which cradles or even encases the shuffle. The adapter would have a large round control pad (same as on the Apple Remote), a mini-jack for any headphones, and perhaps even an extra battery for extended play time.

"for the relatively smaller number of customers who do not want to use Apple's included earbuds."

It's not a case of that I (and most people) don't want to use them, but it's because we can't! They just fall out of our ears!

What I think is really bad is that for the people who CAN'T wear them (not because they are fussy or simply because they don't like them) have to incurr extra expense and inconvenience in either buying new headphones or buying the adapter!

Apple should give the option to swap them for in-ear phones FREE OF CHARGE. When you order it online, you should get the option of in-ear or earbud.

But it's all about making more money for them! When the first iPod's came out, you got a free case. Now, 3rd party cases are a business in itself for companies like Griffin! Why do us a favour when they can charge us, right?

ah, hate to break it to you, but I meant *your comparing remotes from previous models to the situation we have with the new Shuffle* is a FAIL. Not saying the new product won't sell--I just don't want one until/if they rectify the situation, which is unlikely.

an improvement? you are quite the pundit. already some people can visualize the hassle of reaching up near their face for the control, vs their waist or other part of their anatomy, to get to the controls. Who made you the expert to predict how this will play out? Like I said, I don't want one, but admit it WILL SELL. Just not to me.

a bit incredible, I mean I've been using Macs since 1989, have purchased 15 myself and recommended them to hundreds of people - converted many-- but one cannot 'speculate' on future iPods or whatever...

Message was edited by: Host

ok, you buy one; I won't. 🙂 I've never purchased any Apple computers either. I might be a HUGE FAN of their iPod line, but that's extent of my involvement with Apple products. You are obviously unabashedly an Apple apologist for anything they choose to do, whether it be to the detriment of the buying public or not. I'm far more critical of them--hence I always do my homework PRIOR to purchasing any of the iPod models so as not to end up with something that I won't like. So far, all iPods in the house have performed well other than 2 with weak batteries; a condition which is inevitable. I can live with that--for me it's all about expectations being met and I don't want ANY SURPRISES!!! 🙂

The controls need to be on the metal itself. And Generation 4 could have Bluetooth beaming to earphones or earbuds or stereo speakers-- eliminate the cables ASAP - I have retractable earbuds, but once one can wear a small earphone and have wireless...

...but then Generation 5: Apple will probably introduce the iPod earbud! The "iPod Buddy" - that's it! You put one in each ear and the right one listens to you the left one talks to you! Click your teeth twice to start; once to stop; three times to change songs... whatever, but the iPod will become the earpiece(s) bientôt - j'en suis certain.

I'm not going to buy one, because I like my old 1st gen iPod shuffle that I can hold on my hand (like an Apple Remote) and use without looking or reaching anywhere, when I go running.

However, I just understand why Apple designed the new shuffle the way they did. It will be very popular. If the goal was to make the shuffle any smaller than it was before, this is the only logical design. I don't really think the shuffle had to get any smaller than it was, but that's another discussion.

I hope one of the new third party adapters is one that connects to and encloses the new shuffle (like as case). Except this case will be shaped like the old 1st gen shuffle (or like an Apple Remote control). It will have a universal headphone jack and round control pad, and perhaps even include extra battery power. Then I'd probably buy one of the new shuffles.

The beauty of Apple's third party iPod ecosystem is that Apple can now rely on them to create imaginative peripherals with limited appeal. If Apple made something that had limited appeal and sold 500,000, that would be a failure. If a small third party made a peripheral that sold 500,000 units, that would probably be a huge success for them.

They will have a field day with this new shuffle - so many possibilities.

You are obviously unabashedly an Apple apologist...

That's usually the final argument when my brilliant fanboyism is too overwhelming. 🙂

Brilliant! Konichi-wa!!! Go Griffin! Go Belkin! Thanks, Apple! (stock up to 93- hey, I bought some at $8 and bought some at $120)(and sold some at $200)(well, almost!)

This is the only company that makes and sells products that I could not even have imagined! Wonderful!

That's why I would appreciate a third-party case/adapter combo that would make it BIGGER! So I can hold it in my hands. Pretty soon, this old parody may be reality.

http://gprime.net/video.php/ipodflea

Now, there's going to be even more "I washed my iPod with my shirt - what can I do?" posts on this forum...

I don't like to hold my shuffle when I run for several reasons. First - it gets pretty hot and humid around Washington DC. If I carried my shuffle, it would fail within a week or two from the profuse sweat from my body dripping into my hand. Second - when I run in the summer, I often carry a water bottle in one hand, and I don't want to carry my shuffle in the other hand. And, when I do weights, I obviously don't want to hold onto anything.

Message was edited by: David Wiesenhahn

Everyone sweats when they run. It has not been a problem with my 1st gen shuffle. I've taken them apart and know that there is a flexible membrane below the buttons. You can't take it swimming, or take it into a sauna with you, but it will resist sweaty fingers. And I can even use the "rubberized" case I bought for it (and never use because I don't like the feel), if I thought it was a real problem. Or you can dangle it around your neck or buy some armband for it.

I imagine this new shuffle will be the most moisture resistant of all the iPods, since it has no buttons on the case and the only real hole is filled with the headphone jack. Obviously, it's still not +water proof+ (unless some third-party makes a special case).

But that's why Apple's third-party iPod ecosystem is a great advantage for Apple over the competition. Some company will probably make that peripheral you want, even if such a peripheral would not appeal to most shuffle customers.

And besides lower manufacturing costs, reduced size, etc. I think you just mentioned one of the major reasons for the new design. There are many posts in the 2nd Generation forums about people running/exercising with their iPod and it dies due to sweat getting into the Shuffle through the controls. I know that if you are careful in your placement of the 2nd Generation you can avoid this (my brother-in-law has run 4 marathons with his, but with this model sweat will no longer be an issue which will be a good thing for a good number of users out there.

Of course it will still fall into toilets, get washed, etc. as you said.

I'm also one of those who has never used the Apple headphones but I have given mine to a good number of people who lost/broke theirs and they like the Apple headphones. I never used my Apple iPhone headphones but bought a set from Ultimate Ears instead. I'm sure that we will not only see adapters from a number of companies (so I could use my UE 10s if I want), but also Shuffle/iPod headsets from a number of companies.

We could take bets/start a pool on which company will have the first adapter available, which company will have the first headphones, etc., but I think it would be considered a poll so I'll refrain from my choices.

While those of us who use different headphones like to think we are the target market for Apple, I'm sitting in a busy Starbucks now and there are seven people here listening to music on a mix of iPods/iPhone/MacBook Pro. All of them are using stock Apple ear buds.

Plus, is it conspicuous consumption to use $300 headphones on a $79 iPod?

Calm down. It would seem that this is not the product for you. Pretty simple, really. Nor is it the product for me. I recently tossed my Etymotic ER-4p's for a pair of FutureSonics Atrio. The ONLY earbud that uses a real speaker rather than an armature. Bass like you can't even imagine. Anyway, I'll prolly get one of these when the adapter comes along. I can't believe those of you whining about expense! 4Gig iPod for 79 bucks! Geez! Just calm down. It's only a stupid little music player.

Message was edited by: Robert Martin 1