Talking iPod Shuffle with VoiceOver (speech) launched
iPod Shuffle, the talking iPod is here. Apple today launched the smallest iPod ever, the latest iPod Shuffle, which “talks” to you with its VoiceOver technology. Move over tiny music players, move over the old iPod Shuffle itself.The talking iPod Shuffle comes at a price of $79 in US. The Voice Over-enabled iPod Shuffle has 4 GB of flash memory, which means it can carry approximately 1000 songs. It can also store data, which means it can double up as a USB data drive.
How does the talking iPod work? The controls on the latest, smallest iPod Shuffle have been shifted from the music player to the headphone cord. Whenever a song comes up, you can check and “read out” its song title, playlists and artist names. When the iPod Shuffle speaks out the words from the song data (in 14 languages: take your pick) the music volume automatically reduces, so that the voice coms through clearly. The button on the headphone cable has to be pressed and held down to listen to the iPod speaking. It may be noted that the speech function was added to iTunes to last year. The “Up” button is used to increase the volume and the “down” button is used to decrease the volume. Tapping on the middle buttons plays/pause the songs. Tapping twice on the same button plays the next track, while tapping three times will play the previous track.
The smallest iPod still does not have a screen. And by shifting the navigation controls from the iPod Shuffle to the headphone cable, Apple has been able to miniaturise the iPod Shuffle (which was already a minute device) even further. The new, smallest iPod Shuffle has a height of 1.8 inches, width of 0.7 inch and depth of 0.3 inch. It weighs a mere 10 grams. Apple has already started selling the new iPod through its website.
The iPod Shuffle battery is built-in, just like in the entire iPod series. It takes 2 hours to charge 80% from zero charge and 3 hours to charge it full. The full battery on the talking iPod Shuffle can play music for a total of 10 hours, Apple claimed. The Shuffle battery is charged through the USB drive of the PC/Mac, though Apple separately sells a charger for the iPod Shuffle which can be purchased from an Apple dealer.
The Voice-Over enabled iPod Shuffle with speech capability comes in two colours – aluminium and black. Both models have a small clip on the back, which make them wearable. The Voice Over-enabled Apple iPod ’speaking’ Shuffle can play music in AAC, MP3, AIFF and WAV formats. The Windows systems requirements include Windows vista or Windows XP with SP3, a PC with USB port, iTunes 8.1 or later and broadband internet access. In case you are using a Macintosh, you will need Mac OSX V10.4.11 or later, iTunes 8.1 or later and broadband internet access.
The iPod Shuffle box includes the iPod Shuffle, Apple Earphones with remote, iPod Shuffle USB cable, and quick start guide.
The new, smallest talking iPod raises some questions though. So far, if you lost your iPod earphones, you could get another from a small-time shop at a cheap price. But, with the VoiceOver and other controls located on the headphone cable of the new Shuffle, will buyers be able to change their headphones at will?
Besides, Apple still has not announced whether the old line of iPod Shuffles will continue to be sold. Apple already has a 1 GB iPod Shuffle, a 2GB iPod Shuffle and a 4 GB iPod Shuffle. Other iPods currently being sold by Apple include the iPod classic (120 GB) iPod Nano (8 GB and 16 GB) and the iPod Touch (8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB).
Languages available on iPod Shuffle voice over speech function:
Chinese (Mandarin)
Czech
Dutch
English
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Polish
Portuguese
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish.
iPod Shuffle authorised genuine Apple Accessories:
(1) Apple USB Power Adapter:
Available for $29 from Apple, the USB Power adaptor can be used to charge iPod Shuffle whenever you are away from a computer. It also has a dock connector to USB cable.
(2) Apple in-ear headphones:
Apple says that its in-ear headphones delivers acoustic accuracy. The in-ear headphones have soft, silicone ear tips which fit comfortably in the ear, which Apple claims, creates a seal that isolates the music from the surroundings. Three different sizes of ear tips are included to pick and choose. There is also a convenient carrying case for the ear tips and a cable-control case for the headphones. The price of the in-ear headphone is $79.
(3) Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic:
The Apple earphones with Remote and Mic take the famed Apple iPod earphones and add a control centre, located on the cable of the right earpiece, that includes a microphone and three buttons. Price: $29.