Product Review: Apple IPod Shuffle

When I first started hearing about iPods, I had no real idea what they were. Sure, there were commercials for them but all I really noticed was a bunch of people dancing around with ear plugs on which didn't give me a good idea of what an iPod actually was. So I never realized that an iPod shuffle was sort of a small personal CD/tape player but without the CD or the tape and really really small. In fact, the only thing that I DID know about an iPod was that I didn't need OR want one! Then something happened to change my mind about iPods, I won an Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) in an online contest!

The Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) is the first iPod that I have ever seen and I find them to be amazing. I mean, for one thing, they are astonishingly TINY! The Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) is only a little over an inch and a half wide and half an inch high. On the side of the clear clamshell box that it comes in, it advertises the iPods' size capabilities - 1 GB, 240 songs, PC + Mac. How can something so tiny play music and hold 240 songs when it's not even as big as a matchbox? Technology is a wonderful thing!

I had a hard time with the instructions that came with the iPod. Perhaps the instructions would not be difficult to understand for someone who is already familiar with iPods but I am not so they didn't help me at all. They were too short and didn't offer enough information especially for a newbie.

To use your Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation), you will need to plug the iPod Shuffle into the white base (dock with attached USB cable) that comes with it and plug the cord into the USB port on your computer. This will charge the iPod's battery. In theory, when the iPod is connected to your computer, a program will automatically take you through the necessary steps to use the iTunes website, song downloading and then adding a play list of your favorite songs to your iPod.

That's when I encountered problems, nothing happened when I plugged my brand new shiny Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) into my computer. I was under the impression that I would be guided through the necessary process of making my iPod functional but seriously nothing happened. Well almost nothing, my iPod battery did fully charge and a tiny blinking light on the iPod started blinking.

After a couple of hours, I handed the thing over to my adult daughter in pure frustration to see if she could help me using her computer. She took it and added my favorite songs with NO problems whatsoever. Evidently my computer didn't have the necessary program to handle an Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) but my daughters computer did.

Once I listened to my Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation), I fell in love. The sound quality is awesome. I am completely amazed at how something so tiny can play such pure, clear music.

Now that I've had an Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) for awhile, I hope to always have one. I use it when I'm on my computer in the evenings so that I don't bother my family while they are sleeping. I use it sometimes during the day when I'm babysitting my grandsons and I can't face one more episode of Dora the Explorer or Spongebob Squarepants. They also perfect to use when you're exercising at the gym or when you're cleaning the house

The only negative comment that I can say about the Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) is that the instructions to use it are not complete and clear enough for a newbie to understand. Plus it would have been a big help to me if the instructions had a troubleshooting guide so I would have had some idea of what to do when I was unable to get the Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) to work on my computer.

The Apple iPod Shuffle appears to be well made. It is made of metal with a round button on the side which is white plastic and it comes in several different colors as well. The Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) comes with the actual iPod, the white USB charging dock with attached USB cord and ear plugs.

I definitely recommend the Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation). It is convenient to use once it has songs on it. It is small in size and takes up very little room yet it holds up to 240 songs. The battery lasts up to twelve hours before it needs to be re-charged. Plus there is a clip so you can attach the Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) to your collar or shirt or even to a hair scrungie on your pony tail (it really works, I've done it). It's a strong little clip too that holds on very securely so there are no worries about it falling off.

You can find an Apple iPod Shuffle 1 GB (2nd Generation) online at websites such as Amazon.com for around $50.00.