can you charge and play shuffle (2nd gen) at the same time?!

Hello there Jen,

Yes you can charge the shuffle at the same time you're listening to it. I ran into the same problem as you describe and decided to buy an Apple USB Power adapter...

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA5 92LL/A

Hope this helps and good luck!

Hello there Jen,

Yes you can charge the shuffle at the same time
you're listening to it. I ran into the same problem
as you describe and decided to buy an Apple USB Power
adapter...

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/Apple
Store?productLearnMore=MA592LL/A

Hope this helps and good luck!

I bet it doesn't do anything more than CHARGE the Shuffle!

The Apple USB Power Adapter doesn't allow an audio cable to be plugged into the Shuffle (that's how audio comes out of the Shuffle...) since the Shuffle HAS to be sitting in its dock OR connected to an alternate USB cable THROUGH the audio port.

we purchased a shuffle to run our 'on hold' music at
work, and its a pain in the arse to remember to
charge it every night. im so used to my iPod video
that lets me charge and play at the same time...

any suggestions?!

There isn't one that does both, simultaneously, yet.
But this will allow you to play music OR charge (when it becomes available):
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/dockshuffle/

Hi Jen,

I have the USB Power Adapter plugged into a power outlet and the shuffle plugged into the adapter. I'm running a headphone to RCA cable to an audio receiver's inputs. This allows me to listen to all my songs on the Shuffle without needing to have a computer near by. I've been using this set up since I bought the Shuffle. I have to mention that the Shuffle I own is 1st Gen...

Again, hope this helps.

I bet it doesn't do anything more than CHARGE the
Shuffle!

The Apple USB Power Adapter doesn't allow an audio
cable to be plugged into the Shuffle (that's how
audio comes out of the Shuffle...) since the Shuffle
HAS to be sitting in its dock OR connected to an
alternate USB cable THROUGH the audio port.

Please know what you are talking about before giving someone false information. The Shuffle does not charge through the audio part via a USB cable.

Hi Jen,

I have the USB Power Adapter plugged into a power
outlet and the shuffle plugged into the adapter. I'm
running a headphone to RCA cable to an audio
receiver's inputs. This allows me to listen to all my
songs on the Shuffle without needing to have a
computer near by. I've been using this set up since I
bought the Shuffle. I have to mention that the
Shuffle I own is 1st Gen...

Again, hope this helps.

With all due respect, Rick, Jen (the original poster) was asking about how to charge+play a SECOND GENERATION Shuffle...you might note that fact is even included in the Subject field...

But now that you've mentioned yours is a 1st Gen Shuffle... 1st Gen Shuffles ARE available from the online Apple Store as refurbished for $49. Perhaps she should think about getting one of those?

Ahh... Well I'm sorry about that. My mistake and I do apologize. I was replying to information out of turn. Again, sorry about that.

Like you suggested, she could get a 1st Gen iPod Shuffle which would solve her dilemma. Depends if Jen deems it as being worth it.

The 2nd Gen Shuffle charges via the USB port thru the Audio port? No wonder why people's head phones are being damaged.

yeah, the second gen shuffle plays and charges through the same port. you cannot do both at the same time at this point

Won't catch me buying a shuffle anytime soon. What a bad design on Apple's part.

Everybody's different: I think it is a great design. I charge it overnight and don't want to listen to it while I'm sleeping.

Yeah that makes sense in that situation however take Jen and my scenarios. We want to be able to essentially plug in the iPod to utility power while listening to it. With this design it does not allow it. Plus, charging an iPod through the headphone jack should and will lead to issues surrounding DC current leak.

"Plus, charging an iPod through the headphone jack should and will lead to issues surrounding DC current leak."

Why? And you don't think the engineers at Apple considered this?

I agree - what a pain. I bought it for a music on hold situation also. And I CALLED the apple people BEFORE I bought it and they assured me that I can play it while it was plugged in to the wall.

Obviously they didn't know JACK about their own products.

I'll give this one to a homeless person and get a nano I guess.

Has anyone tried a splitter to see if it will charge and play at the same time?

I agree - what a pain. I bought it for a music on
hold situation also. And I CALLED the apple
people BEFORE I bought it and they assured me
that I can play it while it was plugged in to the
wall.

Obviously they didn't know JACK about their own
products.

This, unfortunately, sometimes appears to be the case.

I'll give this one to a homeless person and get a
nano I guess.

How's a homeless person going to load it and charge it?
Hang on to it... it may have some value to you later on.

Has anyone tried a splitter to see if it will charge
and play at the same time?

I read an article close to the time the 2nd Gen Shuffle came out that some people were working on it but nothing substantive seems to have happened. YOur best bet would be to watch the online Apple Store like a hawk for refurbed 1st gen Shuffles... every so often 1GB 1st Gen Shuffles appear for $39 (like a few days ago).