Apple introduces smallest iPod with newest 4GB Shuffle

March 25, 2009
Filed under Tech

Scott Alsafin
Staff Writer

Apple added to it’s list of innovative technological advancements with the release of the new iPod Shuffle a few days before spring break. The new Shuffle is being praised as clever and ingenious for it’s unique design and enterprising breakthroughs.
The leading notable feature of the new Shuffle is the size, or lack thereof. The Shuffle is roughly the size of a paper clip, which gives the user the utmost discretion deciding when to use or abuse it. *hint hint students walking down the hallway .
Like David Pogue of the NY times noted, an iPod the size of a battery might be a whimsical concept much like the micro-cellphones in the movie “Zoolander.” However, the task of making a paperclip music player is an accomplishment in itself.
As far a comparison goes to the old shuffle, it’s more bang for the buck. The new Shuffle is running at $80 whereas the old one (still available) is going at 50$. However, the user obtains four-times the storage space–4 GB. There is also the matter of battery duration. According to Apple, the Shuffle can go ten consecutive hours playing music on one charge.
Another appealing feature of the new Shuffle is the voice automated speaker.
The new Shuffle emits a distinct male voice identifying the song and it’s performer. To check battery life, one simply has to flick the power switch. The user does all this from the headphones. (If only James Earl Jones would’ve been the voice-over)
On the headphones, there is a clicker for volume control. If you hold down the clicker long enough, user-made play lists begin to sound off– “Dank music,” “Sleep music,” “Baby-making music.”
The sole negative feature of the new iPod Shuffle is the headphones.
Let’s say the headphones break, replacements can only come from Apple.
Standard headphones do not work with the new Shuffle because the headphones for the Shuffle are several times smaller.
Apple is working with headset companies though and hope to have some third-party headsets available in the near future. For now though, iPod Shuffle users are required to use the standard Apple headphones.
The new iPod Shuffle is now the smallest music player on Earth, and as one blogger wrote: “We are one step closer to the iPod flea!”