IPOD Shuffle

Don't do it!

mp3 player - screen/control = no good, regardless of size and price.

Dish out a little more, and at least get a mini.

 

I dont really get not being able to select particuar songs. I realize the shuffle thing is what they are marketing but i see it as a huge downside.

 

Yeah, don't pay $200 for 1 GB when you can pay $50 more for 4 GBs.

 

I have a Ipod, and I HATE ITUNES!!! I hardly use the thing cause you have to use that damn program... I am on 3 diff computers all the time and still can understand update my music from one computer to the next... if you do get an Apple MP3 player look into ANAPOD EXPLOER it works better than the headache of Itunes does..

 

Da-Glyde, also check out Xplay (not free) and EphPod.

I'm a big iPod fan, but I just don't understand why anyone would buy the iPod Shuffle. No screen equals no sale.

 

What really is good about a flash player that essentially can only do one thing: play your music files on random mode (a function that is available on the most basic CD players and MP3 players)?
I have an iRiver flash player, and I RARELY use the random function. I mainly navigate all of my music using the screen. No screen = not useful player.

Skip the hype.

 

Shuffle's intended to be an on-the-move thing. Like when you're working out or running or whatever, when you probably wouldn't be messing with a screen anyway. It's not a standard MP3 player.

I wouldn't pay above the base price, though.

 

I love the shuffle thing. I use it all the time on iTunes. I could see owning one of the $99 versions if I had another better iPod. Put a bunch of workout tunes on the iPod shuffle and it would be great for running or whatever.

Clearly, if they are sold out everywhere, they are popular.

 

I do see the point of having it as a workout player. Might be good for that. However, I guess I personally like to have the versatility of using it as such if I wanted to and not because I am forced to. However, $99 for 512MB ain't bad, so salivate away guys

As far as being popular, well umm a lot of things are popular but that doesn't mean it is necessarily the better item. A lot of that could be just marketing and dang it Apple is very very good with that. One example that comes to mind is the Betamax vs VHS war from the early 80s. I mean Sony screwed that up big time. Betamax was by far the better format, but it lost to VHS which was more "popular" or at least backed by more companies (since Sony insisted on it being a propietary format - dumb dumb move).

Or of course it could be just a lot of people speculating that the player will be a hotseller and buying it all up (thus making an artifical market) and then trying to resell it to naive Apple lovers on Ebay to make a profit

 

I'm going to get my wife one for valentines day (hopefully). She has my 1st generation ipod that she uses just for working out and she lost the center dial while jogging the other day. Since it was a hand me down anyway and she complains about the size while jogging I figured this would be the perfect time to get one of these for her. She never uses the screen other than to choose her one playlist that is set to random anyway so this iPod shuffle is perfect for her.

Me I use my 2nd Generation 20gb ipod for music as well as transfering files to and from work so I have no use for the new shuffle. But as far as the screen goes I usually just set my ipod to random and click to the next song if I'm listening to music so I don't really use the screen too much.

 

I hear these things (shuffles) are going be more widely available in about two weeks... hold off on buying one at anything other than retail.

 

I think that's the key. They make a great companion to one of the hard drive players. But I was hoping that they would be a suitable alternative to one of the hard drive players. I'm still hoping Apple will later come through with what some of the rumor sites were saying before the Shuffle was released -- 1 GB and 2GB flash players with a screen. Either of these would be ideal for me. I have a Rio Nitrus (1.5 GB), and it's the perfect size. If only it hadn't recently turned into a paperweight. Rio might exchange it, but we'll see. Even if they do, I'm buying my songs through iTunes and will eventually want to get a player that works with it. My ears are insensitive enough that I can burn the songs I buy from iTunes and re-rip them as MP3's, but I don't want to do that forever.

 

Dont get raped on price just because you want to be cool for a couple of weeks.

The lack of a screen is still unattractive. You can get a more functional player (although less trendy) for about the same price.

Still if your going to up the ante, I would just get a better ipod.

And the reason they are popular, are because they are new. I see apple coming out with a better shuffle in a few months.

 

Bingo. The size, lanyard, and durability are what make it a winner. At the gym, I never looked at the screen anyway, and the capacity is just about right that I've listened to everything on it when it needs a charge.

 

It's affordable enough to let most people get into the iPod market. For me, it's got nowhere near the capacity that I need and no playlists would really knock down it's usage for me. I'd only get it for jogging and just put one playlist of songs on there. Is that worth the $150 and the hassle of setting up a side account of itunes? Eh.

But for someone that wants a better workout player, doesn't have the means to get a full iPod, and has only so much music........there you go.

Evan

 

BTW,

Have you guys been reading about al the probs people are having with the Mini?

Makes me glad I shelled out the extra 50 bucks and got the standard 20gig Ipod.

It's weird though, as I was shopping for one, EVERYPLACE was out of the standard Ipods, but full of (and pushing them aggressively) the minis...

 

i think this thing is popular because apple makes it and it's cute. i honestly dont know much about it but you really can't select your own songs? that's crap. for a little more you can get a real ipod which is freaking awesome and just randomize your playlist and there's your little shuffle gimmick. why would you pay 150+ for something like this? if you need a flash player get one with a screen atleast, apple isn't the end all of mp3 players.

 

MicroCenter on 610 near San Felipe has a bunch of $149 - 1GB shuffles... I saw them at lunch today... they also have the mini-macs in stock!! I played on the mini-mac for a few minutes and it's pretty dang neato!!

 

Was looking at the Shuffle but yeah no screen is a turnoff. The Shuffle is sweet looking though. It is thin and looks very sleek. I can see it being the "in" thing, especially at the gym.

I went with a Dell Jukebox DJ instead. Payed $200 for 5 GB. Not bad, and the size is still pretty small. Ordered it on Tuesday. Should get it next week.

Anyone have any tips for someone using the Dell Jukebox? What program works best with it? I have an I-Tunes account but don't think it will work with the Jukebox.