What is the iPod Shuffle?

iPod Shuffle is the world’s first and widely known miniature digital audio player to use a flash memory. When it was introduced on January 11, 2005, it made use of the tagline, “life is random”. The tagline is perfect for what the Shuffle is designed for -- to load a selection of songs and be able to play them in random order using the “auto fill” technology.

The Shuffle is legitimately hardly visible when worn around the neck or when placed inside a pocket. With a height of 3.3 inches, width of 0.98 inches and depth of 0.33 inch and weighs only about 0.78 ounce (22 grams), it could easily be mistaken as a gum stick.

But, do not underestimate the capability of this tiny music player. It has great and notable features to exhibit. It can hold about 120 songs for a 512MB model and 240 songs for a 1GB model in 128-Kbps AAC format. It is very uncomplicated to use. You can learn to operate the gearshifts after a couple of uses. This digital audio player also offers a better quality sound with enhanced bass response. So you can enjoy your music anywhere you are.

The Shuffle’s exterior characteristics are enough for an eye candy. The control buttons are perfectly located at the front and the other side is where the battery level indicator and the three-position toggle for turning the unit off or setting it to play music in two options – shuffled or in order – are located. Another wow for music gadget lovers is the idea that it can be plugged directly into a computer through USB port since the Shuffle has a USB plug covered by a cap. Charging its battery can also be done in the same fashion. What is even more fascinating is that the sleek gadget can also be utilized as a flash drive.

However, its disadvantages have appeared to be glaring, as well. It does not have the attributes which its other next of kin have such as scroll wheel, address book, calendar, games and play list management features. The device seems to be intended only for what purpose it is meant to do. On the other hand, it brings in new features like the ability to cut down the songs’ bit rate to 128 kbits AAC.

The most wearable iPod was released at about the same time the Nano was launched, which is Shuffle’s second generation edition. The second generation is pretty much smaller with measurements 1.07 inches x 1.62 inches x 0.41 inches and weights only about 0.55 ounce. It is very lightweight that music lovers can bring their selection of songs anywhere with the gizmo’s new built-in clip. Improvements on the controls are also noticeable. It has now two separate buttons for power and shuffle or no shuffle to avoid unintentional choice of shuffle.

A dock is also included for USB connection to transfer files using a headphone jack. This is one disadvantage of the second generation Shuffle. There is no built-in USB connector incorporated unlike with the first generation Shuffle. So, a dock is always necessary to connect the 2nd generation model to a computer.

Recently this year, Apple added more colors to its second generation Shuffle. Shuffle has a pink, a green, a blue, and an orange model.