| First impressions | | | | earphone port as the connection. There's also plenty |
| The iPod shuffle weighs a mere 15.6 grams (0.55 | | | | of cable from the dock to a USB 2.0 port on your |
| ounces), and measures just 27.3 mm (1.07 inches) | | | | computer. |
| high by 41.2 mm (1.62 inches) wide by 10.5 mm (0.41 | | | | Once you connect the iPod shuffle, iTunes appears |
| inch) deep (and this depth, by the way, includes the | | | | on the computer screen. If you're already familiar |
| clip). It is the ultimate portable music player, encased | | | | with iTunes, you'll know what to expect. If not, it's |
| in robust aluminum that resists the smearing caused | | | | worth bearing in mind that iTunes is not just |
| by dirty or damp fingers. | | | | software that enables you to organise and transfer |
| There's also a choice of five colours: blue, green, pink, | | | | music to your iPod shuffle. The iTunes Store, for |
| red and silver. A range of hues may not seem | | | | instance, lets you buy songs and albums, plus |
| significant, but if you fix your iPod shuffle to your | | | | audiobooks and podcasts (although many podcasts |
| clothes like a badge, you may want a preferred | | | | are free). |
| colour. | | | | As for the other iTunes features, use them to place |
| The device that holds the iPod shuffle in place on | | | | the content of your CDs on your iPod shuffle; put |
| your clothes or bag, incidentally, is a clip fixed to the | | | | your music into playlists; create automatic music |
| back. Any such clip must be secure and reliable: if | | | | updates; arrange the order of your songs; set the |
| you're jogging, working out, or commuting to and | | | | same sound level for different tracks; and adjust the |
| from school or work, you don't want to drop or lose | | | | volume limit. In other words, your iPod shuffle may |
| such a tiny piece of electronic equipment. The clip on | | | | not have a built-in screen, but you can still view and |
| the iPod shuffle feels completely trustworthy. | | | | control your content through iTunes. |
| Features | | | | Technology |
| The main feature of the iPod shuffle is the offset | | | | The iPod shuffle comes in two versions. The 1GB |
| ergonomic ring that has the volume, previous/rewind, | | | | holds around 1,000 playback minutes - or |
| and next/fast forward controls, with the play/pause | | | | approximately 240 songs. The 2GB model can take |
| button in the middle. Both the ring and button | | | | about 500 songs. The audio compression format that |
| respond positively and feel good to the touch. They | | | | achieves this is 128Kbps AAC (advanced audio |
| give you the confidence to use them without | | | | coding). |
| needing to watch what you're doing - a handy ability | | | | The iPod shuffle also supports further audio formats, |
| if you're squashed amidst commuters on a bus or | | | | including AAC (8 - 320Kbps); MP3 (8 - 320 Kbps); |
| train. | | | | MP3 VBR; Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4); AIFF (audio |
| The on/off control is neatly located on the bottom, | | | | interchange file format); and WAV (Waveform). |
| together with the shuffle switch. This switch lets you | | | | You're unlikely to need anything else in the normal |
| hear your songs in random order, or listen to them in | | | | course of events. |
| your chosen sequence. | | | | Frequency response is 20Hz to 20,000Hz, which is |
| There are two status lights on the iPod shuffle, one | | | | exactly what you need for high quality sound |
| on the top, and one on the bottom. The different | | | | reproduction. |
| messages the lights can give you may take a while | | | | Performance |
| to learn, but the most important - the battery status | | | | A music player is all about ease of use and sound |
| indicator - is straightforward. A green light means you | | | | quality. When you start using the iPod shuffle's |
| have a 30% - 100% charge; an amber light means | | | | controls and connect it to iTunes, you will have no |
| you have a low charge, somewhere between 10% | | | | doubts about the versatility and simplicity of this |
| and 30%; and a red light indicates you have less than | | | | device. When you plug in your earphones and begin |
| 10% of power remaining. At other times, the status | | | | listening, you also experience first class sound quality |
| lights tell you when you've pressed a certain button, | | | | with a wide volume range. The maximum volume is |
| and whether the iPod shuffle is up and running as an | | | | so high, in fact, you may want to restrict it via |
| external storage disc. They also warn you if there's a | | | | iTunes. |
| problem. | | | | The other key performance factor for a portable |
| One of the two accessories that accompany the | | | | music player is battery life. Despite the iPod shuffle's |
| iPod shuffle is a set of earphones. These rest | | | | tiny dimensions, the built-in battery keeps going for |
| comfortably in each ear and have an adjustable cable. | | | | 12 hours. You can then charge it using the USB dock |
| If you're happy to use less discrete headphones, | | | | or connect it to an Apple USB Power Adaptor |
| different manufacturers offer a compatible range. | | | | (available separately). Either way, you'll be 80% |
| The other accessory is the USB dock. The iPod | | | | charged from empty in two hours, and fully |
| shuffle slips easily into position on the dock using the | | | | operational in four. |