Shuffle / Headphone - Sweat Moisture - Failure

I think I've been having this sweat moisture issue as well. Every single time I've gone out to work out with the latest gen shuffle (with the iPod headphones w/ remote), it only takes about 30 minutes for the shuffle (or the remote) to go haywire and start doing completely random things. It's happened consistently, and this has got to be solved by Apple. I want my shuffle back!

My first headphones stopped working after a work out, the volume controls didnt work, even after leaving it for ages and trying again. I got them replaced bt Apple, I did stress to the person on the phone that I didnt want this to happen again, they said it wouldnt. Guess what, I've just applied to have my second set returned. The volume controls didnt work again. Then after a while they did. Then they stopped again, this happened a few times, now the stop button doesnt work either. Do you think my replacement pair will be any better?
Dont thse things get Tested? I think this is a "Show Stopper" defect and the product should not have been release - sack the tester.

I've had this problem after running one time with some iPhone headphones in the shuffle (pretty much the same product). I ended up buying new iPhone headphones and never running with them, but the problem remains with the Shuffle itself, which is also sensitive to moisture it seems and tends to just get sort of quirky after a while as has been described in this thread and eventually peter out. I'm generally happy with my 5th Generation iPod which has lasted (with one replacement) for about 4-5 years now and with my iPhone and my MacBook, but the shuffle line needs to be clearly advertised as "Not For Exercise That May Result In Actual Perspiration" because it and its components simply do not react well to being anywhere near moisture.

Personally, I think this is fairly disingenuous since the shuffle's kind of clearly marketed as an on-the-go iPod for active lifestyle stuff. Unfortunately, other AAC players from other manufacturers seem to report similar sweating issues (Sony W Series, for example), so there don't seem to be many options.

It's a disappointing situation all around, but we always have the option to simply not buy anything from anyone. That's my current strategy until someone provides a real product instead of a candy coated toy that stops working within a month of purchase.

I have a similar problem -- after about twenty minutes of running, the controls stop working, the song list re-sets (shuffle mode stops working) and the volume goes waaaay down. At first I thought maybe one of the songs was corrupted, but after re-loading the software (and a new song list) its happened again. It seems like when it dries out the unit is fine, so I went and bought a second one... I figure when the first stops about halfway into my run I can swap it out for the other... but that's not going to help much if the headphones are fried. I love the device -- any fixes would be appreciated!!!

So the Apple store replaces the headphones free of charge?

I was given the ipod shuffle, 3rd gen, as a gift for my birthday on 30/06/2010. I have used it 7 times since, 5 of those times for going to the gym. The headphones no longer work - started not to work as I started to sweat. I just spoke with apple who said I cannot get them replaced because this is considered water damage. I HAVE USED THEM 5 TIMES (for only about 40 min each time). I find this appalling as this should have been something tested when they change the design to put all the controls in the headphones and considering this is marketed as something you could use when you work out, one would think it would last more than a week. My love affair with apple is slowly dying. I've been a mac user for the past 15 years and ever since taking off in the past few, I have found that there products are slipping, but more especially their customer service.

Now the 4th generation Shuffle is out and look like Apple went back to the old design. We all need to pressure Apple to offer at least discount on the defective 3rd generation headphone. I am on my 4th set of headphone and it lasted about 2 weeks and stop working.

John

Not just the headphones (on fourth set, including one of the $79 versions), but the Shuffle itself died (according to the Genius Bar) because of sweat getting into the unit. No replacement offered. As soon as someone has some experience with the new version of the Shuffle, a lot of us would like to know about it. Maybe Apple took this product defect seriously and solved the problem, but I'm waiting for some early adopters to fill us in on whether it can be used for workouts.

In my case they replaced the headset once, after that it failed again and then they said the unit itself was moisture affected and they refused to replace the headset or the unit. This happened with two uinits, a 2nd and a 3rd generation... I must say the Apple repair dealers in Hong Kong are impossible to deal with - totally inflexible and unsympathetic. All I did was run in the gym for Christ's sake. "Form follows Function" Mr. Jobs........... and I'm not buying the new "sleek and durable" Ipod Shuffle unless its proven sweat proof and I recommend others not waste their hard earned money either.

The answer my friend is to go buy the new shuffle for $49.

Apple screwed up, and their engineers screwed up (I think we know who was jumping off those buildings in China, now don't we?).

I would love to use my shuffle for a few more years, but Apple's dipshti engineers and QC people obsoleted this product before it ever hit the shelves, with their bad, bad, bad design of the earbud/audio control.

One piece of advice for those using the shuffle with the faulty earbuds: tie a loose knot just above the audio control. The knot will dissipate any water dripping down the cord, and prevent it from getting near the control. This helped mine last for about 9 months. My wife borrowed my shuffle buds recently, took it upon herself to untie the knot, took a run, and the audio control is now dead.

Message was edited by: dnonnema

Now they come out with a new Ipod shuffle, I guess all these complaints took a toll on customer service, I am going to wait and see if this new version will work when you sweat! I would love Apple to step up to the plate and give a big discount to people like us who bought the 3rd gen. for a 4th generation shuffle, but I wont hold my breath. Apple really dropped teh ball on the 3rd generation shuffle , for all those out there who just bought one return it, save yourself the grief.

Message was edited by: R J M

I am currently on my fourth pair of defective 3rd gen ishuffle earphones. We should get the new ishuffles for free.

Today I received in the mail a replacement pair of headphones. I immediately called apple as I did not request these once I found out that they wouldn't be covered by the warranty. Previously I had called an expressed my frustration that they would not honour the warranty as they considered this "liquid damage" and I also wrote Apple a letter expressing this frustration. After speaking with the agent in Apple Care, he informed me that replacement fee had been waived and I did not need to worry about returning anything (either the old or new headphones). I'm not sure if it was my letter, etc, but if so, I'm quite pleased that Apple listened to my frustrations and accommodated my request.