Digital Trends

iPod shuffle 1GB

November 2nd, 2006 | by Jason Tomczak

Setup and Use

Setting up the new 2nd generation iPod shuffle is easy to do. The new packaging is sleek and inviting. The iPod shuffle takes up less than 10% of the available space in the plastic case, making it seem even smaller than it already is. Unlike some products this small, opening the plastic casing does not require a scalpel or acetylene torch. A finger-friendly pull-tab lifts the plastic seal and opens the case.

After removing the shuffle and dock-dongle, hold the tiny iPod in your hand and repeat the New iPod Affirmation, “Oh my God, this thing is so small! It’s so cool!” This stage of setting up the shuffle is irresistible to many and may last a while.

When the shock has worn off, plug the USB dock-dongle into your computer, attach the shuffle and let iTunes recognize the new player. Use the latest version of iTunes, specifically 7.02, which was just updated with the shuffle in mind. Register the shuffle if you wish.

Once the shuffle is recognized and set up in iTunes, fill it up by dragging and dropping your favorite songs, lectures, podcasts and audio books. Apple estimates that you can cram 240 songs into the shuffle, which means roughly 12 hours of audio, which is perfect because the shuffle is represented to get 12 hours of battery life. After transferring your tunes, disconnect the shuffle from your computer, clip it to your clothing, stick it in a pocket or hang it from a random body piercing (if you’re into that) and let your favorite music take you away to that special place.

So, How Does It Sound?

After thoughtfully selecting and transferring some of my favorite ‘testing’ music to the shuffle, I painstakingly sampled the playback with three sets of headphones; the included (last gen) headphones, the latest (and noticeably improved) Apple headphones included with the 2nd gen iPod nano and some Bose TriPorts. Here are some sample songs and my reactions to the shuffle’s audio quality with each headset:

The Feeling: Sewn (Radio Edit)
Shuffle + Included headphones: Decent bass, excessive treble
Shuffle + Latest Apple headphones: Great range, sounds like CD quality
Shuffle + Bose TriPort headphones: Outside world disappears, excellent sound quality

Fink: Wohin du gehst
Shuffle + Included headphones: Weak bass, strong mids and painful treble
Shuffle + Latest Apple headphones: Bass comes alive, strong mids, accurate treble
Shuffle + Bose TriPort headphones: Bass blurs my vision, vocals are razor sharp. Wow.

Jack Johnson: Banana Pancakes
Shuffle + Included headphones: Bass is evident but hollow, great vocals
Shuffle + Latest Apple headphones: Great range of sounds. I hear new elements.
Shuffle + Bose TriPort headphones: Sounds so good, it takes me away to happy times in Hawaii.

I was duly impressed by the sound quality of the 2nd gen shuffle. Of course, the headphones included with the purchase should only be used if you’re stranded on a deserted island and your good headphones have broken. Or maybe you can use them as a makeshift clothes line, or if your shoe laces break. I’m being harsh, but please understand that you absolutely positively will not experience the potential of the 2nd gen shuffle with the stock headphones. Invest in a good set like the Bose TriPort or some Sennheisers and really feel what this pint sized MP3 player can deliver!

The iPod Shuffle and Included Headphones

You must use iTunes 7.02 in order to control volume limits. If you read the included documentation, you’ll notice a tiny little message on the last page that says “Listen Responsibly”. That could be given several meanings, namely “Don’t screw with the RIAA” or perhaps “Don’t destroy your ear drums”. I would stick with both meanings.

The shuffle somehow manages to inherit all the amazing sound quality of its bigger siblings and condense it down into a tiny, microamazing package. The overall sound-quality verdict? With the right set of headphones the new 2nd gen iPod shuffle will give you hours and hours of tireless aural pleasure.

The iPod Shuffle has a Built-in Clip

Eco-Friendly Packaging

Like the recently released 2nd gen iPod nano, the 2nd gen iPod shuffle is sold in the new clear plastic packaging. This new packaging scheme boasts a dramatic reduction in size, weight, raw materials and per-unit shipping emissions. It’s also much sexier and Applesque than the recently-dumped paper/card stock packaging. The new plastic cases can be reused as M&M dispensers, paperclip holders, etc.

Apple iPod Shuffle Packaging