Apple, which has so far sold more than three billion songs on the
iTunes store, has just launched what is indisputably the world’s
smallest digital audio player: The all-new iPod Shuffle. Weighing only
an incredible 10 grams, the new iPod shuffle is jaw-droppingly small.
It’s half the size of the previous generation. But with 4GB of storage,
it now holds up to 1,000 songs. Multiple playlists are a breeze too.
 But
the most striking feature you can see is the lack of audio controls or a
screen on the ultra slim body. Instead, the audio controls are housed in
the Apple headphones. This automatically precludes you from purchasing
or using (much better) third party headphones for the moment, but Apple
wants to license the product. The shuffle’s main switch has three
positions.
Flip it to the left, and your music shuffles. Flip it to the middle,
and your songs play in order. Flip to the right to turn it off. The most
striking feature you cannot see, but hear, is VoiceOver, the feature
that gives iPod shuffle a voice. With the press of a button, it tells
you what song is playing and who’s performing it.
It can even tell you the names of your playlists, giving you a new
way to navigate your music. You’ve probably made multiple playlists in
iTunes - one for your commute, one for the gym, one for relaxing and so
on. With the press of a button, VoiceOver gives you all that info as the
music dips down.
When your battery needs charging, VoiceOver tells you that, too. It’s
available in 14 languages, so you will be guided by a familiar voice.The
audio controls of the new iPod shuffle are located on the right earbud
cord.
Apple says that “with command central now strategically placed in
this more convenient location, you can navigate your music - and
activate the VoiceOver feature - without taking your eyes off your run,
your ride, or whatever you’re doing”.
 Even
the iPod shuffle clip gets the rock star treatment. Now forged in
stainless steel, the clip attaches securely to shirt, jacket, workout
gear or even a backpack. An anodized aluminum case is available in
silver or black.
Apple still undertakes personalized engraving of names and messages
on all iPods.There is a built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery
which gives a Playback time of 10 hours when fully charged. Charging is
via USB to computer system or power adapter. A full charge takes three
hours.
The Shuffle will support the following audio codecs: AAC (16 to 320
Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR,
Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF.
You will need a broadband internet connection to get the full benefit
out of your Shuffle, but it is possible to rip from CDs as well. Apple
has refuted rumours that it has embedded a Digital Rights Management (DRM)
chip in the earpiece, which would have restricted the usage of
downloads.
- Pramod
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