High-quality unboxing photos of Apple's third-gen iPod shuffle

[AppleInsider]

Apple retail stores on Thursday began receiving the company's third-generation 4GB iPod shuffle in extremely limited quantities. What follows are a few dozen unboxing and comparison shots, along with some commentary.

Average to mid-size Apple stores we spoke with report receiving only a couple dozen of each color (black and gray) as part of their initial shipment, with more expected by the end of the week. Thus far, the black model is proving to be far more popular with early adopters than the grey model, and was expected to sell out at several locations by day's end.

Apple says the third-gen iPod shuffle ships in packaging that's 40% smaller and 33% lighter than the one used for the second-gen shuffle, and it shows (comparison photos below). The plastic capsule-like container can be concealed almost completely in the palm of your hand.

Inside the box is a pair of Apple Earphones with*Remote, a 1.8-inch iPod shuffle Dock sync USB cable, a Quick Start guide, and of course the 4GB shuffle itself. The first thing we noticed is how incredibly tiny the player is. It's no bigger than the length and width of three pieces of Chiclets chewing gum aligned side-by-side. It's also considerably smaller than the mini BiC lighters it resembles.

If you've ever gone diving between the couch cushions to find your misplaced Apple Bluetooth Headset, watch out with the new shuffle. It's most comparable in size -- slight shorter but wider, and approximately the same width (not factoring in the headset's earpiece).

On top, there's a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a three-way control switch (shuffle, play in order, turn off) and tiny LED that could easily be mistaken for a spec of dust or some other form of debris. Meanwhile, the back sports a new version of the shuffle's familiar clip, only this time with a chromed finish and grainy off-white Apple logo with a bit of sparkle.

More generally speaking, the precision anodized aluminum molding of the player is perfection at its finest. While floating in its retail packaging, the new shuffle appears to lack seams entirely. It's only after a close inspection that you'll notice seams for what looks like a trap door mostly obscured by the clip on the back of the device.

At this juncture, it would also be impossible for Apple to deliver a thinner digital music player without substituting the 3.5mm jack with a new generation of connector. It's that thin.

We'll be putting the new shuffle through our gauntlet and will deliver a full review of the player and its new VoiceOver interface in coming days.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[rain]

looks like the monolith from 2010... except much much smaller.

Baaaaaa Baaaaaa BA BA.... BOM bom BOM bom...

[Jensonb]

I'm really tempted by this, looks like a pretty great upgrade. And I have owned all the Shuffle designs so far, so it's kind of a tradition.

Might get one after my DSi

[drow]

Zomg my new ipod shuffle is like totally scratched already screw you apple

[SpamSandwich]

Again, it looks great but there are so many 'minuses' for me in this iteration that I'll gladly stick with my 2G shuffle.

[pnypwrmb76]

I don't see why they couldn't have integrated the USB plug on the device itself (just like 1st gen Shuffle). Just put a nice, secure, matching cap on it.

It would be a subtle feature, but extremely convenient. Who wants to deal with more cables than is absolutely needed.

[monkeyastronaut]

okay nice robot porn guys.
it looks like an apple lighter.
i'm still not completely convinced about the uni-click button.

[vrkiran]

Couldn't you find a dustier environment for your pictures?

(I am not talking about the technical issues :-) enough people are talking about it already)

[iName]

Originally Posted by drow

Zomg my new ipod shuffle is like totally scratched already screw you apple

So you mean your new 3g iPod shuffle is ALREADY scratched???!!!
What have you done with it??

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by vrkiran

Couldn't you find a dustier environment for your pictures?

(I am not talking about the technical issues :-) enough people are talking about it already)

Listen, when you see this thing in person, you'll understand. It's tiny. Most of that dust isn't recognizable to the human eye. We're using a high-res camera with a macro lens. However, I agree. The shots could be better and we're working on improving our photo-shoots for the next piece of Apple pr0n.

Thanks,

K

[teckstud]

Did Steve really approve this?

[lamewing]

Aside from the worthless idea of having the controls on the cable....

And the pictures look nice....

But, how does it sound in comparison to the 2nd gen Shuffle? I cannot stand my wife's 2nd gen and still use my 1st gen when running.

[SmilinGoat]

yet the ipod classic still has that small screen...

[DimMok]

Appleinsider...I love you guys.

Keep up the great work!

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by rain

looks like the monolith from 2010... except much much smaller.

Baaaaaa Baaaaaa BA BA.... BOM bom BOM bom...

Now that's funny!!

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Kasper

Listen, when you see this thing in person, you'll understand. It's tiny. Most of that dust isn't recognizable to the human eye. We're using a high-res camera with a macro lens. However, I agree. The shots could be better and we're working on improving our photo-shoots for the next piece of Apple pr0n.

Thanks,

K

Just use a can of compressed air on the surface before shooting. Old photographer's tip.

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by vrkiran

Couldn't you find a dustier environment for your pictures?

(I am not talking about the technical issues :-) enough people are talking about it already)

Agreed, but at least they don't have a hand model with dirty fingernails!

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Just use a can of compressed air on the surface before shooting. Old photographer's tip.

Yeah, I know. Next time. The photos were taken outside tho. That's problem No. 1. Lightbox time.

K

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by Kasper

Listen, when you see this thing in person, you'll understand. It's tiny. Most of that dust isn't recognizable to the human eye. We're using a high-res camera with a macro lens. However, I agree. The shots could be better and we're working on improving our photo-shoots for the next piece of Apple pr0n.

Thanks,

K

Thanks for the photos Kasper...now I don't have to make a special trip to the Apple store to see it!

I to have owned all the shuffle iterations to date and this one is the best looking. (I give the old ones to my nieces.)

I especially like the chrome clip. After using the iPhone earbuds controller I think I would like the controller on the new Shuffle. All those PHD's at Apple are always think'n!

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by christopher126

Thanks for the photos Kasper...now I don't have to make a special trip to the Apple store to see it!

I to have owned all the shuffle iterations to date and this one is the best looking. (I give the old ones to my nieces.)

I especially like the chrome clip. After using the iPhone earbuds controller I think I would like the controller on the new Shuffle. All those PHD's at Apple are always think'n!

We'll have a full review soon. The clip is fairly stiff. Nicer than the last clip.

K

[camroidv27]

I'm curious as to why they included the shuffle / power switch. I would have thought you would just shake the device to start shuffling your songs. You would turn on and off the device by pressing the + and - buttons together for 3 seconds. Seems simple enough! Heck, we could have done away with the remote too. Twist left to rewind, twist right to play. Short stop shake stops the device, holding it to your ear makes it tell you the playlist...

I could go on but I think its not funny anymore.

[teckstud]

Notice how all the shots are of its back? Every comparison shot shows us its back? It has no character whatsoever- the most un- Apple product I've ever seen. If it sounds as good as the first however, my opinion may change. Did Apple bring back good sound to the shuffle?
Stay tuned.

[addicted44]

What most people are forgetting regarding the shuffle is who uses it. I bet the LARGEST usage group is during exercise, or in public transport, etc. You don't want to be fiddling in your pockets, when you can put your hand near your ear all Secret Service style!

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by camroidv27

I'm curious as to why they included the shuffle / power switch. I would have thought you would just shake the device to start shuffling your songs. You would turn on and off the device by pressing the + and - buttons together for 3 seconds. Seems simple enough! Heck, we could have done away with the remote too. Twist left to rewind, twist right to play. Short stop shake stops the device, holding it to your ear makes it tell you the playlist...

I could go on but I think its not funny anymore.

I liked the idea from a previous post of having a USB tip/cap and thereby have one less cable....but then I would have to go out and buy an MBA to plug it into!!!!

[MsNly]

The buttons are a no go for me. I use my shuffle for when I ride my bike and I run my headphone cable through my shirt, thus I wouldn't be able to change the song or anything.

Oh well, I don't need any more iPods anyways.

[nautilus.]

Great shots! i def. like how it looks, not so much how it functions.

i prefer visual feedback to audio feedback (it's faster & seems less gimmicky)

[wwrightstufff]

When they announced the new Shuffle I thought it would be a hard sell, with the average consumer dumbfounded by how to use it. The packaging though gives you a great visual, showcasing how the device will work

[nofear1az]

Why is Apple in love with using dongles....

Macbook Air requires dongles for extra USB ports, ethernet and blah blah
MacBook requires a dongle for additional USB, a dongle for video.
MacBook Pro requires a dongle for Firewire 400.
Shuffle requires a dongle for USB connectivity.

Instead of making the device overstated small, why not make it functionally small.... I freaking hate dongles more than anything else. For one, they are cumbersome and you always misplace them somewhere. Make the Shuffle with built-in USB. That would be cool and yet still small enough to want. (imo)

[kode IV]

It looks like a cheap knock off, of an Apple product... Does not say great Apple design to me !!

[wwrightstufff]

As an iPhone owner I find I use the headphones to control all my music. Its much quicker to grab and pinch then look and click. I think apple also realized this and the new shuffle was created.

[nagromme]

Imagine finding one of these 5 years ago. You'd never guess what the heck it was.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by pnypwrmb76

I don't see why they couldn't have integrated the USB plug on the device itself (just like 1st gen Shuffle). Just put a nice, secure, matching cap on it.

It would be a subtle feature, but extremely convenient. Who wants to deal with more cables than is absolutely needed.

As long as you don't lose the cover. But I think it would be quite useful, Shuffle could go back to being a fancy thumb drive like the original. It's not quite the same if you have to carry around the little USB adapter too.

Originally Posted by iName

So you mean your new 3g iPod shuffle is ALREADY scratched???!!!
What have you done with it??

I'm sure it was a joke, a riff on complaints about previous product introductions, such as the original nano which some of them were very easy to scuff due to a bad batch of plastic. Among others.

[Lisamacnewton]

And if I close my eyes when I wave it over my head when I'm listening to iTunes will I get the full concert experience?

[Ireland]

It's the new iPod lighter. Plays playlists and lights cancer sticks.

P.S. The most measly amount of cable on that charger evR! I'm sure laptop owners won't mind, but iMac owners certainly will.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by Kasper

Listen, when you see this thing in person, you'll understand. It's tiny. Most of that dust isn't recognizable to the human eye. We're using a high-res camera with a macro lens. However, I agree. The shots could be better and we're working on improving our photo-shoots for the next piece of Apple pr0n.

Thanks,

K

What are the specs of your photo equipment? I was just going to comment on your choice of lens/ F stop/ lighting setup. It would be nice to have a better depth of field.

m

Edit: It is tough to shoot really small parts. I do a lot of that type of table top work and my setup includes some pretty specialized lighting equipment. If Apple continues on this course you might need an electron microscope set up.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by mstone

If Apple continues on this course you might need an electron microscope set up.

Tee-he!

[poorawaste]

They should fit the shuffle in the earphone clicker itself. That would make it even smaller and more eco-friendly.

[StuBeck]

Originally Posted by Kasper

Yeah, I know. Next time. The photos were taken outside tho. That's problem No. 1. Lightbox time.

K

Oh god, no! Don't use compressed air! Spend 5 bucks and use a camera blower.

[Expat]

I can't help but think that the three buttons on the headphones would fit on the front face of the new shuffle. Sure, its too small for the old interface that the shuffle used to have, but my problem with the new design isn't the buttons themselves, but the location. Its been mentioned before, but the shuffle has been the ultimate gym/running iPod for a while now, and most users tend to tuck their headphone cables inside their shirts so they don't get tangled up in them. As a result, the placement of the buttons on the cable is just downright silly. Sure, buttons on the front of the shuffle might ruin the monolithic appearance, but it would work much better for the average user.

I guess to sum it up - I like the new design of the unit, but I have no desire to trade in my 2nd gen shuffle for one, unlike the 2nd gen, which made me scrap my first gen shuffle immediately.

[jiminmissouri]

I bought the black shuffle this morning at the Leawood, KS Apple store. The person who walked in the door in front of me bought one too. Both of us have never owned an iPod, something that, as a stockholder, kind of made me think.

Being an iPod newbie, I'm not in a position to compare it to other models, but I do wonder if the shuffle's voice over feature, coupled with the control location is going to garner sales. it certainly was the reason I bought one.

I understand some may not like the control location, but it works just fine for me. It seems a person could easily run the cord under a shirt if they wanted to, since the controls hang near the base of the neck, right above my t-shirt collar. Some cyclists might prefer controls closer to the waist though. I bought it specifically to work out, by the way.

A comment about the black model being more popular. Well, I bought it because I wanted some contrast between it and the shirts I normally wear working out. After all, if people can't see the thing, they might think I just have some big old clunky iPod in my pocket!