Apple iPod shuffle (3rd Generation)

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Apple’s smallest ever MP3 player is also possibly its most controversial – and this is why…

The preamble: My cult and contentious reviews’ system. Designed as a time saver to highlight the potential deal breakers in a product before you commit to reading lengthy reviews on your favourites sites and/or magazines. For a more detailed description please read: the Rules

Just the Bad Points Review: iPod shuffle (3rd Generation)

• Removal of on-player controls renders your existing third party earphones/headphones useless without cost of a separate adaptor
• Positioning of inline controls on the new earphones is just below the chin, not ideal during exercise
• Positioning of inline controls on adaptor too low with existing third party earphones
• Clip and on-player controls of its predecessor meant you could position them wherever convenient
• Reduced battery life (10 hours compared to 12 hours on 2nd generation shuffle)
• No display unlike all major rivals in its price range
• No track selection functionlity
• No FM tuner as on rivals
• No voice recorder as on rivals
• VoiceOver text-to-speech prone to mispronunciation
• Heralded minimalist design is surely just an aluminium coated memory key
• Improved 4GB storage still only half that available on some rivals
• Requires new iTunes download
• Were adding 5mm to its height, dropping 10mm in width, 2mm in depth and 5 grams in weight from shuffle 2G worth all this?
• Price (£59) is a lot more than an 8GB Sansa Clip (£39) which also has a display, FM tuner, voice recorder, track, album, artist and playlist selection, 15 hours of battery life and drag and drop content