Apple’s new iPod Shuffle Red

Last Wednesday, Apple announced a host of new iPods.

Well I needed some new headphones and generally was thinking about getting a shuffle for skiing etc., so I went ahead and paid my £49 online.

As usual, the Apple Store provided a pretty nice user experience, but it might just be that I’ve gotten used to it. I even forgot how they let you engrave a message onto their iPods, which is quite cool.

I ordered it at work the day after they announced them (at about 6pm UK time), and to my surprised it was dispatched with my name on it within six hours(!), and on the way to Bristol. It arrived on Monday.

Now that is what I call a superb online shopping experience, especially given that it was probably shipped from half way across the world to get to me.

Review

I’ve never really had a play with an iPod shuffle, but they’re great little devices.

The size and weight of it is extraordinary, and a great reminder of how far technology has come. Try getting 240 songs onto a cassette tape (I’ll save you the trouble… you can’t). I personally can get about 180 songs onto it, which are mostly quite nicely encoded. 180 is enough, though.

The price is pretty good, too. £50 is a great price point for consumer electronics to become present potential, etc… especially if it’s a present to yourself.

The Shuffle feels solid, reliable and almost horribly light. It’s controls are very easy to use, and feel quality. The clip is a great idea, and makes it perfect for sports/recreation. I listen to mine while walking to/from work; it fits perfectly onto the lip of my pockets.

I’m intending to take this onto the slopes with me this Winter, so I decided the smart choice was a red Shuffle. It’s nice and visible should I drop it into the snow.

I would have gone for red anyway, regardless of skiing. It’s a very sexy red, I must admit. The metallic shimmer means, depending on lighting conditions, it can range from hot pink to a deep burgundy, all beautiful colours on this device.

Overall, and especially because it’s solid-state, the Shuffle feels like it’s one of those things you just can’t break. I think it’s very well made.

One gripe I do have is the dock it comes with. It is fiddley and the last thing I want to have on my beautiful desk. It might be a necessary sacrifice for the form of the Shuffle, but it is a bit of a pain. The upside, I suppose, is that you’re unlikely to want to sync or recharge the shuffle too much.

Pictures