Praise for the iPod shuffle
I recently picked up an iPod shuffle for the sole purpose of using it while I exercised. I’ve never been the type to walk the streets with the world shut out, most because I found it too cumbersome to deal with my iPod Photo; the added weight, the cords, do I keep it in its sleeve or risk a scratch, etc. (I baby my toys.)
The shuffle has transformed me into a walking Apple commercial though, complete with white cords. Clips inside my jacket, comes with slightly shorter headphone cables (thankfully), I push one button and away I go with a soundtrack to replace the consistent asking for change that is the norm on Portland streets.
I wasn’t sure how I’d take to the lack of a screen — I’d say it’s a mixed bag. I only put full albums selected by hand on the thing; I’ve found I try and memorize the order of the albums so I can push “forward” 15 times to get to the next one if needed. iTunes gives you a neat “AutoFill” feature that erases what’s on there and fills it up with a grabbag from your library — you can even tell it to give more weight to songs you rate higher. Because Britt’s got some crap country songs in the library, I’m too scared to use it though. The last thing I want is to be walking downtown to Heads Carolina, Tails California.
I thought having more opportunities to listen would give me a chance to catch up on all the podcasts I’m subscribed to, but this is one area where the lack of a screen really nixed that. You can’t just throw on a few episodes of whatever and then decide what you’ll listen to, because each episode has the same intro music that lasts upwards of 30 seconds, then intro talk where they (hopefully, finally) announce what that episode is about. By the time I figure out which one I want to listen to, I’m already at my destination.
One of the best productivity boosts I’ve gotten from it is throwing a long pink noise mp3 on there and listening to that while reading/writing in a public space. Working on the computer I use the excellent app Noise from Blackhole Media — no need for the shuffle. (Turn it down pretty low and start working, you’ll be surprised how well it works!)
The cons you mention are pretty big for me. The lack of screen–and therefore control–has kept me from even considering it. The size sure is unbeatable, but I’m rarely up for just any song. That’s what radio is for. And the podcast thing would be the coolest part, but it’d be tough finding it (unless that’s all that was on it).
I thought they would be as well, but realized that most of the time, having those options prevented me from using it in the first place. I had to actively decide what to listen to and it quickly because too much work.
Now, I reload new stuff every week or so and let it go. Forces me to get acquainted with new music I might have skipped past after one listen if I had my entire collection with me. But yeah, podcasts as near useless on it unless you put a specific one on right before you’re going to listen to it.
Hey, I was really glad to hear your ideas about “pink noise” and “noise”. Can you tell me where I can get some? I have a PC, so it would have to be something that iTunes or a PC can handle.
I have an iPod, a Nano, a 1G Shuffle and a 2G Shuffle. I just got the Shuffles and I’m finding that I’m enjoying them. Each iPod in the family kinda has its own little niche.
Tamara: I’m not sure if there’s an equivalent application for Windows that generates pink or white noise endlessly.
The best I can do is this 30min pink noise MP3 (32.13MB). Download and put on repeat, you’ll get the same effect.
Thanks so much Jacob!