Where Have You Been All My Life?

I picked up a 1 GB iPod Shuffle almost on a whim this weekend.  Lord knows I love my 20 GB model to death, but it's a little too heavy for a shirt pocket or for exercising, it's expensive enough that I worry about dropping it or losing it, and the battery life isn't really that great.  (Yes, I know I'm spoiled.  Don't blame me--blame Steve Jobs and his army of engineering nerds toiling under the watchful eyes of their designer overlords.)  Enter the Shuffle.

I had no idea I'd love it as much as I do.  Light as a feather, drop-proof (all Flash memory--no moving parts), not exactly cheap--but a good sight cheaper than the 20 GB, and 12 long hours of battery life = digital music nirvana.  Then factor in 1) the absence of any chargers or other crap to lug around (it charges when it's plugged into a USB drive on an iTunes equipped computer), and 2) the 330+ songs I was able to cram onto mine, and I am truly in love.  It's pathetic.

My only mod has been to etch cross-hatchings in the on-off switch to make it easier to slide.  It's a little too slick as is and required too much pressure to toggle.  Otherwise, the damn thing is perfect.

UPDATE: iPodLounge has a great Shuffle tutorial.  Best tip: "When listening to a playlist in shuffle mode, press Play three times quickly to re-randomize the play order."

ipod ipod shuffle

Comments

[The Sensationalist]

Even more pathetic -- I'm jealous of your Shuffle b/c I suspect that, at the current moment, you have warmer feelings for the Shuffle than for me.

[Ed]

Well, it IS lower-maintenance ;-)

[The Sensationalist]

Oh, baby, if you think that I'm high maintenance, you don't even know what high maintenance really is.

To educate yourself on the important distinction between "Kick Them to the Curb High Maintenance Women" and "Know What They Want High Maintenance Women," read here:

http://www.barstoolsports.com/article/From_Her_Perspective/22/

[Alec]

When DINK's do battle, tonight, on FOX!

[Ed]

Actually, we're pay-per-view.

[matt]

I don't really want to interrupt, but perhaps it's for the best. I've had mine about a week and find myself looking for excuses to use it. Running out for coffee in the morning, walking to Georgetown, etc. I'm starting to wish I had at least a short commute to enjoy this thing.

[Ed]

Interruptions are always welcome when we're fighting via the comments. Yeah, that's the beauty of the Shuffle--it's so simple and light that there's never a reason NOT to use it. Hell, you don't even need a pocket.

[Doug]

By "pay-per-view" I assume you mean that you'll pay us to watch, you little freak.