Shuffle cannot tolerate sweat/moisture

Hey Deggie:

Putting saran wrap around it is a low tech solution. I feel cheated.

"Putting saran wrap around it is a low tech solution. I feel cheated."

It actually isn't a solution, it is a workaround, but the point is it does work and you can use the product you purchased. Or not if you choose to sell it.

You can contact customer service and keep your complaint alive and perhaps they will release an updated model in the future with sweat resistant controls. You'd be one of the first in line to get them. In my case I got it knowing that I wanted an adapter so I can use my own headphones and in the interim I did something so I could keep using the product.

And there is nothing wrong with low tech solutions.

So you can sulk, feel petulant, cheated, post everyday how you don't like any other Apple product other than computers because this one controller is ill-designed (or not to specs, who knows?), although I fail to see that logic, you can sell it for a loss, or you can use the "low-tech" workaround and use the Shuffle until there is a resolution.

There is another option, you can keep complaining here, but that won't really accomplish anything.

Try the plastic wrap and let me know if it works.

*How do u go about doing a drip loop ?*

I'm not sure if the software helps as i think its a hardware problem.

I do face the same issue. Currently getting my Ipod Shuffle replaced and I'm not sure if this will solve the problem. I do realised that when the sweat dries up (after 1-2 days) it is back to normal again.

Honestly I'm quite disappointed with Apple products, it almost always has hardware issues.

"It actually isn't a solution, it is a workaround..."

I'm not going to get into semantics with you. It solves the problems, therefore I consider it a solution.

I did the suran wrap thing, and, as much as it pains me to say it, it worked. I still think I shouldn't have to do this. It's like having to put your laptop on a block of ice b/c it overheats: Sure it's a solution (workaround?), but I shouldn't have to do it in the first place.

Don't get me wrong I agree with you, shouldn't have to do a workaround. But if it lets you use the Shuffle while waiting for a cleaner solution why not use it?

But in the meantime make sure you have sent in your feedback saying you want some headphones that are water resistant. And lets hope the adapter market makes water resistant adapters.

Wow, there definitely appears to be a consensus here. I was so angry. I had a perfectly good Sansa 2GB clip for my workout music. I have my iPod 40GB for work. That's it. I decided to go on a limb to get a new shuffle cuz it's "cool" looking. Well, I've had more issues in the past month, but I thought it was just me. I got mine at Best Buy and the salesperson pumped it up for working out. I run a lot and bike, and do a LOT of sweating, and the shuffle will:
1) Just shut off (if I'm lucky)
2) Blow my eardrums out where I have to yank out the earbuds
3) Not allow me to switch songs
4) Not allow me to adjust the volume
5) Play really low and then surprise me with BLASTING MY EARS
6) Or just not function at all, wohoo!

I'm going to Apple on Sunday, we'll see what happens. Has anyone had any luck just plain returning it without an exchange? I'm almost to that point.

Hey guys, I agree with both of you. I think that it's BS that Apple released a product that doesn't work the way it's supposed to. In a capitalist society, if something ***** and doesn't work, it should be replaced for not living up to expectations. But also a workaround till a solution is discovered points to innovative and speaks to the troubleshooting aspect, which is the real problem. I love people who instead of complaining, initiate a solution, even if they are mad (no sarcasm). So you guys are both right, and I am going to return mine. If that doesn't work, I will be using the ghetto saran wrap solution as I run by the Apple store and give them the finger, haha.

same issue here. with both the headphones that come with the shuffle and the ones w/ mic.:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB770G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3NA&mco=MTczMjUyMg

wondering if anyone's had the same problem with the in ear headphones? I dare not try sweating with these until I know:

http://www.apple.com/ipod/inearheadphones/

After my 1st shuffle flaked out...and reading all the postings on here...I tried to return it. Was outside of 2 weeks and I didn't have the original packaging so all they would do was give me a new one. My 2nd one did the same thing. Setup a call with an Apple Expert and had them call the local Apple store to convince them to accept my return. Basically, did a full return and got my money back.

My in ear headphones stopped working today. I had a short run yesterday. When I started today the volume up button was not working. It was at a medium volume and the song select button was working so I went out on a long run. About 45 minutes in a tried to adjust the volume up...no good. Then I figured I'd try to adjust the volume down. No good. Then I tried to advance to the next song...worked fine. About 15 minutes later I tried to advance the song again...no good. Fortunately I updated to firmware 1.0.2 so at least I could still hear the music.

I went to the Apple store and exchanged them. I like the in ear headphones much better and I knew I could "fix" the issue.

I used PVC cement on to seal the controls on the headset that came with the shuffle. After the cement dried it was a little tight but I used a knife to carefully cut a thin break in the cement along the seam of the control. That headset worked fine. I figured I could do the same with the in ear head phones but this time I applied some clear tape over the control first, just on case this headset died I would have a "barrier" between the cement and the control so I could return it.

From my experience with the original headset, I believe this fix will work fine. Of course, if you need the mic, this won't work for you.

I have made a disturbing observation. If when using the shuffle and you bend over to take a drink of water from a water fountain, the controls on the headset are at the perfect position to get wet from the stream. This is really poor design.

Agreed. I've had mine for three weeks....anywhere from 10-15 minutes into my workout, the volume simply cranks to full....I have to quickly yank the earbuds out. The controls simply stop working. Will be good to know what is being done to fix this problem.

Has apple actually acknowledge that there is a problem yet?

Upgrade firmware to 1.0.2 ... it fixes the volume increase to be equivalent to a single + click.

On my 2nd one in less than a month. First one was replaced due to likely moisture in the headset control.

Now the 2nd one, I have saran wrapped and taped the control. That seems to have worked, except now the shuffle itself is giving problems. This morning after about 30 minutes it just shut off. The only thing it would do is tell me how much battery life I had. No light, nothing.

I reset it and it is working now. But I know this thing won't last another week. I'm really disappointed in the quality of this thing. Having to wrap plastic wrap and tape on the controls is a half-@ssed solution to a problem that shouldn't be happening.

Now the player quality itself is suspect. Oh, and why is the headphone cable so much shorted than the ones that come with the other ipods? I'm barely 5'7" and the cables are nearly too short.

Gene