ipod shuffle headphones-3rd generation

Level 1

5 points

Jul 14, 2010 11:27 AM in response to adape2003

Hi Guys,

Just when i thought i had a "GOOD" ipod shuffle without faulty earphones, well it looks like the serial numbers list needs updating.As my latest Shuffle (serial number not in recall program) did not respond. THis was my third exchange, APPLE I am not happy at all. This one now is going back to the store and i'm having a refund to get another type of mp3 which doesn't crash at the first sign of moisture!!! Everyone try the sony Wearable walkman - it seems to have good reviews as it it resistant to moisture.

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Jul 14, 2010 9:46 PM in response to Jeanne Cheberenchick

Yes, indeed, it would appear that the designers at Apple have made a rather large omission in their product here. I use the iPod Shuffle when exercising and have experienced the same problems. A easy way to fix the problems (moisture in the head phone control switch) is to disconnect them from the iPod and put them in your fan forced oven at circa 50 to 70 degrees C for about an hour or so. This will dry out the moisture and they should work again. Note please ensure the temperature of the oven is accurate or you may cook them.

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Jul 26, 2010 11:16 AM in response to Ipod Shuffe 3 gen

Same here 😟
I bought it just only to use it when jogging
I am very very disappointed

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Jul 26, 2010 1:09 PM in response to Eta P Beta

I bought a 2GB MP3 player from Tesco for £12.97 yesterday and it does all that I need for jogging. Its small, lightweight, easy to use and can accept any make of headphone I choose. The shuffle was a waste of money and I regret buying it. I could have bought three of these cheap players and had change for what the Ipod cost. Apple, you need to address the problems with your Shuffle, you are doing yourselves no favours.

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KBeat

Level 3

794 points

Aug 3, 2010 8:09 AM in response to Jeanne Cheberenchick

FWIW everyone, it's not just the headphones included with the Shuffle. I bought a pair to use with my new Nano as it's great being able to control the volume/pause/play from the cord rather than the actual iPod which is often under clothing or otherwise hard to get to in the middle of a run/workout. I bought them three months ago and am now on my 4th replacement.

First the control stopped working as has been described often in this discussion. The next set had an issue where they didn't work at all unless you pressed on the cable where it connected to the plug. After another set of controls died, I didn't even use my next set for working out only to have the microphone die on my after a couple of weeks.

Contrast this with the headphone that came with my original iPhone 3 years ago. They don't have volume control, but have the mic and pause/play. I've used them for hundreds of hours and they still work great. Same for the plain headphone that came with my 2nd gen iPod nano. These new headphone are simply designed poorly and/or badly manufactured.

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rachij

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2010 1:53 PM in response to Jeanne Cheberenchick

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update on my experience with this HORRIBLE shuffle - Took it back to APPLE store in Birmingham UK and told them the story and said I just want a refund which I did get 🙂. My Purchase of the SONY Wearable Walkman (which is water resistant and washable(but not in washing machine)) has been brilliant as got no wires/ cables for the sweat to run down also it stays put in your ear so no messing around. COME ON APPLE - TRY MAKING SOMETHING SUITABLE FOR US TO USE AT THE GYM OR OUT EXERCISING!!!!!!! I'm not buying another Apple product as i've been let down.

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Aug 11, 2010 5:59 PM in response to daniel ornellas

Add me to the list of ****** off shuffle 3G customers because of this issue. Its completely ridiculous that they would produce a product that very obviously would be used for working out that blows your ear drums out at the first hint of water vapor. They had to know this would be a huge problem and released the product anyway....and still haven't fixed it!!!!!

I'm returning my useless shuffle and getting a SONY Wearable Walkman.

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Aug 12, 2010 5:52 AM in response to mansopluc

Interesting that the last poster is doing what my father told me he is doing for my mother's problems with her Ishuffle, she is 70 years old and ONLY walks 3 miles a day and the apparent moisture from that alone has caused her to get a replacement 4X, as the son, I replaced hers myself yesterday and it cost me $5 in parking and at least $10 in gas. The Apple Store in Atlantic City, NJ told me they see 1 or 2 of these problems in 3 mos, ..."minimal issue the store manager said..." Then I told her that mine and my daughters need replacement. She gladly replaced them all but I was dissappointed in Apples talking points which break down Brand Loyalty (We own 4 Imacs collectively, and IPod Classic, and IPod Touch, and IPhone, and multiple Apple Accesories.) My Brand Loyalty is DOWN!!! My father is buying a SONY Walkman for working out (3 mile walks) for my mom. Me, I'll buy aftermarket headphones that are no JUNK but my brand loyalty is DOWN. Compute the cost of that Steve Jobs.

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Sep 2, 2010 12:50 PM in response to Dino2010

I totally agree! I live in Brazil and got my first apple product (you know... to give it a try). As I enjoy street-running the obvious choice was the 3rd gen shuffle: light, snappy... So i did buy one! The moisture thing happened in the first 30 days of use. In the begining the volume buttons did not work well after 20-30 minutes of use. After that i couldn´t do anything. Convinced that i have had bad luck, i bought myself another shuffle 3rd ... this time black. The same problem started occuring. Hoppless... i am thinking of going back to the 2nd generation shuffle. Anybody here had any problems with those? By the way my serials do not match the recall program. Any one intereste in exchanging two 3rd shuffles by one 2nd geration fully working?

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Sep 3, 2010 11:36 AM in response to Jeanne Cheberenchick

Wouldn't it be nice if Apple allowed those who were (rightly)disappointed with their 3G Shuffles to swap them for a 4G one which presumably is more appropriately designed for exercising!! 😀

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Sep 4, 2010 2:30 PM in response to EEEboy1001

Well well well I have just seen an advertisement for the "new" shuffle 4G. I was immediately stunned by the fact it looks like a 2G and has control buttons back on the unit rather than on the **** headphones. This, in my opinion, is a CLEAR admission that the 3G was indeed a piece of **** that so many of us have paid good money for. Have you ever tried to find a route by which to complain to Apple? If you have found one please let me know as I am utterly stunned by this about turn in design. They have jumped back and produced an updated 2D which is what we all wanted. If they think I am gonna pay good money for a 4G they can forget it. I have a £12 Tesco 2GB mp3 player for running now. I have a virtually unused shuffle 3G in a kitchen draw. Never again Apple, never again.

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Sep 6, 2010 2:14 PM in response to Jeanne Cheberenchick

I totally agree. We, as loyal Apple customers, pay good money for the latest technology that Apple has to offer. Apple put out the 3rd Gen shuffle as an improved version of the popular shuffle specifically designed for exercising. But, the controls that are on the earphones are highly susceptible to moisture, i.e. sweat, to the point that the the device ceases to be functional. It is inconceivable that Apple engineers didn't figure this design flaw immediately.

Now, the 4th Gen shuffle is coming out. It is just a rehashed version of the 2nd Gen shuffle with the 3rd Gen's voiceover capabilities. Also, the new ipod nano looks similar to the 2nd Gen shuffle in shape. The new ipod nano is touted for exercise as well.

It seems that the shuffle 3rd Gen is slated for extinction.

Apple has to stand behind its products. All of those individuals, myself included, who purchased the ipod shuffle 3rd gen should be given a certificate to purchase the newly minted shuffle for free or the new ipod nano for a deep discount. Merely, allowing us to swap headphones because of a defective design flaw for two years does not fix the problem. I am on my third pair of replaced headphones. The apple engineers have yet to design a waterproof or even a water resistant version of its headphones.

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Aug 11, 2012 7:12 PM in response to Genesius07

WOW, just found this and I'm amazed! I've been experiencing this for quite some time now. Figured I was doing something wrong. Not sure what to do, but where would I find information regarding warranty exchange for a set of headphones?

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Oct 31, 2014 11:52 AM in response to daniel ornellas

i have been trying to figure out why my 3rd gen shuffle does the same thing yours is doing and i know it is not the headphones because the headphones work with my old shuffle so it is the ipod itself.Does anyone know if apple does anything about this problem?

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Oct 31, 2014 6:50 PM in response to conniefrommcgregor

How did you find this old thread...? 😉

It may actually be the headphones. On a 3rd gen shuffle, the remote control buttons on the cord control playback. If there's a fault with the buttons or along the cord, the iPod may be getting false control signals (for volume down). If your "old shuffle" is 1st or 2nd gen, it does not receive control signals from the headphones jack, so it would still "work" for audio even if a problem exists.

I would try connecting another set of headphones. It does not need to have the control buttons. I believe if you connect regular headphones to a 3rd gen shuffle, it starts playing when the power switch is moved to ON, at a set volume level. See if this same problem occurs after however long it normally takes.

If the problem occurs, the fault is in the iPod. If it does not, it may be faulty headphones.

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