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This iPod shuffle was purchased as a gift for a youngster, but after using a regular ipod with a visual interface, I had to try this one out. The shuffle 3G is a very portable unit that connects to the computer through a tiny earphone to usb connector. (I'd recommend that an adult manage that piece for ease of loss on the part of a younger kid.) iTunes instantly recognized and allowed managing of songs like any other ipod. Playing back tunes is a bit more complicated... I still can't figure out after just a few uses how to select the song you want to play or how to choose a playlist which the shuffle does seem to support. I like the voice over music identification of songs (since there is no screen) but be forewarned that ordinary MP3's will not support the song ID voice overs, they need to be in Apple's AAC format for that feature to work. A nice feature in iTunes allows you to convert all songs to 128kbps when during transfer to the shuffle. Select the setting during iPod setup, and just drag/drop songs onto the iPod icon and the conversion happens automaticaly, although I think it leaves a second copy in that smaller size and file type on the originating computer's hard disk after the transfer. Sound from the shuffle is great, but it seems sometimes the shuffle has a touchy earphone jack, (hence lots of store returns may be sold on eBay for this reason), but read on for the fix. You can simply clean the jack with a quality brand q-tip that has had the cotton swap snapped off (or mostly removed with just a touch of cotton remaining so it is a loose fit into the earphone jack). Momentarily soak the end of the stick in rubbing alcohol and rub inside the jack to restore the connection to the earphones. This jack may get contaminated under normal use. For playback and control, you must use the earphones that have a control button in line with the ear piece as this is used to play/pause, advance the songs, control volume and has press-and-hold features like the voice over songs. This press-and-hold, then press again offers other features I haven't mastered yet for advancing through the songs and I believe to allow selection of playlists, but my "slow, fat fingers" haven't been successful in selecting playlists yet, just advancing through songs... hence the "shuffle" name, I guess. The song quality and volume are simply amazing from such a tiny device! It is as nearly as good as a regular ipod, minus the ability to select EQ settings. Still, for a younger kid and at a much lower entry cost, it no-doubt serves it's purpose - portable entertainment with one's favorite tunes. For me, (an older guy), I prefer the iPod nano 3G, for its small size, a screen, and much more song selection versatility - even video support.Read full review
After waiting an eternity in tech years to upgrade my shuffle, I went with the latest 3rd gen iPod shuffle. For the price it was the same as any 2nd gen shuffle I could find. The departure from the buttons on the mp3 player made it less appealing to me than previous generations, but the increased size and aluminum casing with the clip balanced it out for me. My big complaint is the controls on the ear buds. I think that is a terrible location for the controls for several reasons. I'm stuck using this one pair of ear buds instead of them being interchangeable which is what I'm used to. So if I lose the control pair or break them, then the shuffle is useless. Also they are difficult to use if you're not sitting still, which most users won't be doing since they are ideal for the gym, running, or in my case riding my motorcycle. My other major dislike is that I prefer not using iTunes and have used Winamp for all my uploading. With this 3rd gen, Winamp isn't compatible to load music onto my player, at this time. I'm sure eventually Winamp will work out the problems. In the meantime I found that using MediaMonkey seems to do the trick. Overall, I like the shuffle, plenty of space, very sturdy, just hate the controls. Hopefully with the 4th gen iPod will go back to having buttons on the device. Sometimes less is less.Read full review
This overall size of the ipod is good or bad depending on how your using it. I use it for the gym which makes it nice to hide. The problem I have, is with the earbuds. I've never like Apple earbuds anyway, just for the simple fact they won't stay in my ears. These are no different except the volume, play, buttons are incorporatd in the hearphone wire. Not the easiest to change songs when your pumping sweat and about the die from the treadmill. Even replacement buds that work with the new shuffle are hard to find. My opinion: Good for sitting and listenting. 2nd Gen was better for exercising.
I placed the rating at good (instead of average) because it does what I need it to do. It is light-weight, in sync with my Ipod and is not cumbersome at the gym. Almost perfect. It would have been great to have better control over the music that is coming up. I also would have loved to "rewind" the same song when I get interrupted. I also am very worried about the earplug part because that is where the controls are. I haven't researched how easy it is/expensive to replace these in case I mess something up. Overall, the product does well for what I need it to do.
Inferior in both design and function to the model it replaced (Generation 2 Shuffle) and to its replacement (Generation 4 Shuffle), the Generation 3 Shuffle is an Apple oddity. With the controls mounted on the earbud wires rather than on the body of the ipod, the Generation 3 Shuffle can be used only with the specialized earbuds designed for it. No external playability means no music in your car's sound system or home stereo...this is an "earbud only" mp3. (Be certain you are bidding on one that has the designated earbuds for Generation 3 or you will be making another purchase to go along with your Generation 3 Shuffle). The clip on the back of the Generation 3 secures well to clothing, but the Generation 3 is said to be susceptable to moisture, causing the unit to either malfunction or fail. Apple must have realized their blunder with the Generation 3 Shuffle as it had a shelf life of only a year before being replaced by the vastly superior Generation 4 Shuffle. I cannot recommend this item.Read full review
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