[Macworld]

Post your comments for Third-Generation iPod shuffle: What you need to know here

[BitsmartBen]

I dunno, it still seems like a solution in search of a problem. The 2G Shuffle was perfect. All they needed to do was add voice support to it and the headphone buttons as an optional control method. Or perhaps a small adapter with the controls on it and an ordinary 3.5mm audio jack for any set of headphones including the bundled Apple ones.

[alterbentzion]

No Apple logo?

[jasonact]

I think this is perfect for me. I love using the headphone controls on my iPhone, so I'll probably love this. The shuffle is made entirely to be small, and Apple's opinion of the Shuffle is smaller is better, and I agree. It's not meant to be your primary music player, although it could be. It's meant for when you want some music to just appear.
All of the criticism I hear can basically be answered with one sentence: Then this iPod is not for you.
One thing that doesn't get much mention, though, is that Apple will continue to sell the 2nd generation 2G Shuffle for $49, albeit without VoiceOver, so even they admit that it isn't for everyone.
@alterbentzion I believe the Apple logo is on the face of the clip.

[BitsmartBen]

Well that's really my point. The 2G Shuffle was small too. It already filled the niche for small iPod. I have an iPhone, but I still use a 2G Shuffle as well precisely because of the form factor and that it has physical buttons I can locate without looking at it. It's good that they're still selling the 2G though - perhaps they're not entirely sure if people will buy into this new one. Shades of iMovie 06/08.

[jasonact]

I think they are holding onto the 2G Shuffle because of the headphone issue. As 3rd-parties make their own compatible headphones and adapters, as they inevitably will with Apple moving all of their products in this direction, I suspect Apple will feel more comfortable discontinuing the 2G.

Personally, I think the new Shuffle is perfect for me. I have an iPhone that I use for much of my mobile media use, but I use a Shuffle working out, housecleaning, working in the lawn, or anytime that I plan to move a lot. I typically don't use the controls much in those scenarios anyway, and the smaller the iPod, the better. So I plan on getting one ASAP, and I don't think I'm alone.

[applecrate]

All I know is that the price of the Shuffle just more than doubled.
Shuffle - Crummy included headphones + Specialized Headphones made for them = $160 and up...

[nathanator11]

yeah, on the clip on teh back theres a logo

[AppleGuy91]

The logo is the clip, in back. I'd much prefer it to be on front, though, if they're not going to have the distictive 'iPod' controls.

[e3gle08]

I must admit, I was less than thrilled at first.
However, I recently bought the remote earbuds for my iPod Touch and ignoring the very poor fit for my ears, I find the remote really useful.
I am glad though that there will soon be a volley of adaptors for the new shuffle and hopefully the Touch too.
I really like the Voiceover feature, as it's not always convenient to take my iPod out of my pocket. I previously had a 2nd gen shuffle which I did really like, but now I compare it to the new one with the remote, I feel that it will be much easier to use (for me at least)
One other thing that people seem to be forgetting is that the capacity has jumped to 4gb. So £59/$79 seems reasonable to me for a 4gb mp3 player with Apple build quality.
Just my thoughts.
Chris

[randyg]

This really will be a pain for those that use it connected in the car. That workaround is really more of a pain than anything, and once it is playing there is no way to skip/FF/Rewind/etc. I can only assume they are going to provide some sort of USB cable with controls that will plug into the USB in the car.

[jasonact]

Yeah, the fact that it is only available in 4GB capacity was actually a bummer for me. My use of the Shuffle is such that 1GB is plenty. I would have like to have seen a 1GB or 2GB model at a lower price. Oh well.

And the Shuffle's use in the car is a problem currently, but the forthcoming adapters should take care of that for those who want it.

[e3gle08]

In the size column it's worth noting that while Apple are still offering the 2gen shuffle, it's only the 1gb version.
In that respect it is a bit of a jump from 1gb to 4 gb.
But, as the new shuffle can still be used as a flash drive, 4gb seems pretty useful. Especially given that the new USB connector is much smaller.
Chris

[ChrisLJ]

I agree, they should put the Apple logo on the front.
"Is the iPod connector the same as all other iPods?"
That one made me laugh.