New Shuffle, bad design
The Apple Store went down today. People panicked, speculated and gossiped – some suggesting that the servicing was due to the launch of a new iPod Shuffle. A few moments later, they were correct.
When the Apple Store returned, users were met with a promotion for the shiny new Shuffle. Smaller, sleeker and undoubtedly sexier (they claim it’s the size of a AA battery, yikes), it has new VoiceOver technology which speaks song titles to you, updates you on your battery life, etc., in several different languages, but really who cares?
The Shuffle solely comprises Apple’s “low-end” product range, if the company ever had such a notion. It’s the mp3-player of choice for gym rats and gutter rats alike.
Any worthwhile innovation on the Shuffle will eventually make its way to the better iPods, in which I will happily and fervently empty my wallet.
What is interesting, however, nearly escaped my eye when glancing over the photos… how the hell do you change the songs?
Upon closer inspection, confirmed in the excitable press release, the volume and tracking controls have been moved to the iPod earphones.
The earphones, proprietary earphones… why Apple, why?
Seems like a kick in the shins to devoted iPod users, just what happens if (when) you (eventually) lose the earphones, besides obviously shelling out £40 for another set?
An explanation? Are we granted an apology? A hand written letter from Steve Jobs with a dab of his Apple musk sealed in the envelope?
Since when is the World’s Nicest CompanyTM so mean?
Proprietary earphones have been the damned nuisance of many failed mp3 players, but it’s doubtful the Shuffle will be the next.
It’s interesting to see how this one plays out, if it manages to slip under the radar, would it be feasible if it sneaked its way into Apple’s other products?
Or is this just bad design, a “mistake” made by Apple (it’s silly that saying those to words in the same sentence feels blasphemous) that will be quietly removed when the Shuffle launches a new campaign, in a myriad of ridiculous colours with the latest pseudo-indie hit playing in the background?
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