by Bob Lion

Created on: April 08, 2009   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

The newest iPod shuffle is without doubt the most attractive and smallest iPod to come out so far. However, looks are certainly not everything and do not tell the whole story. While, it is almost microscopic and certainly the smallest iPod among the others, the size of it results in the loss of pertinent and vital functionality. Here is an in depth review of the newest innovation that Apple has to offer.

The most major problem with this iPod are the pesky ear buds. The newest iPod shuffle requires the use of the ear buds that are supplied and no other ear buds are avaliable that function like the ones that are given to you. They control all of the functions of the iPod from the play button to the volume control. With this iPod, you cannot buy a new pair of substitute headphones unless they have volume control on them. Even if you buy a pair of ear buds that have volume control, you are not able to change playlists or skip to the next song. The new ear buds that work with this iPod are an additional 20 USD as well, so if yours break, you are going to be shelling out another 20 dollars. This is not very economically friendly because they are very likely to break and do not seem to be very durable.

Another problem with this iPod is the location of the controls. They are not very well placed and make the iPod difficult to use. It is very difficult to grab the controller without looking at it and it took me about 10 tries to actually get control of the controller. Another problem that occurs with the controller is that when you are running, it is easy to accidentally pull out the ear buds.

In addition, this iPod is not compatible with speakers because without any buttons on the iPod itself you cannot change songs or increase the volume. This can be very bothersome because the ear buds can occasionally get to be annoying. Without a way to put your iPod into a speaker system, you can not listen to it without putting the ear buds in your ears.

All in all, I would not recommend buying this iPod. It is not well made and was certainly made for appearance rather than function. While some may say that it looks too attractive to pass up, the lack of function with Apple's newest innovation is too big of a flaw. The lack of functions that this iPod has: only one type of ear buds to use, the not very well thought out location of the controls and the lack of compatability with speakers ultimately tells me that this new iPod is one that should be passed on.

Learn more about this author, Bob Lion.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.