Apple releases iPod Reset Utility 1.0... again?

[Posted Thursday, March 15th]

Today Apple posted an ostensibly new package to its software download page dubbed "iPod Reset Utility 1.0," which will restore first and second generation iPod Shuffles back to their factory settings when iTunes is unable to do so. The tool can solve a problem where iPod Shuffles appear dead or refuse to mount.

Confusingly, however, the company already released a package called "iPod shuffle Reset Utility" last year, and later updated it to version 1.0.1.

Though it is not explicitly stated, this 1.0 release apparently supersedes the original 1.0 and 1.0.1 iPod shuffle reset utility versions, as the original shuffle reset utility was only labeled for use with first-generation iPod shuffles.

In another confusing move, Apple has named this new version "iPod Reset Utility" rather than "iPod shuffle Reset utility," even though it only works with first and second generation iPod shuffles.

iPod Reset Utility 1.0 (the March 15th release) is available as a 3.4 MB standalone download.

For further instruction on how to use this utility, see Knowledge Base article #305204.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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