Jasmine France, Senior Associate Editor April 1, 2009
Rarely has a device so immediately inspired so much scorn as the latest Apple iPod Shuffle. Within 12 hours of its release, the third-generation of the littlest iPod had no shortage of complaints railed against it. It's too small, shuns compatibility with third-party headphones, and doesn't have a screen or even any any buttons. At least one tech editor has even gone so far as to call it a disaster. Still, like most things, the iPod Shuffle undoubtedly has a few redeeming qualities, and some people have come to its defense.
Having spent some hands-on time with the teeny MP3 player, I can verify that it's not all bad. There is something impressive about the smallness of the device, and the design has a certain simple, understated appeal. However, operating it is not an intuitive exercise, and the lack of controls on the device itself borders on infuriating. Plus, not being able to swap in your own headphones out of the box is rather obnoxious. (And, frankly, I'll take a display over spoken menus any day.)
Luckily, the iPod Shuffle is not your only option if you're looking for a simple, ultracompact MP3 player. I've rounded up a selection of alternatives that offer at least a few benefits that the Shuffle does not, such as a lower price tag, a display, or--heck--even buttons on the device. To that end, I've been so bold as to include the previous generation Shuffle in a story dedicated to its successor's alternatives (now is the perfect time to start looking for deals on that one). Oh yeah...I went there.
| Product name | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Pricing not available | Pricing not available |
As shown: $69.99
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This product has been discontinued. | $149.99 |
| CNET editors' rating | |||||
| Average user rating |  | | |
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| Review date | October 08, 2007 | June 19, 2008 | July 27, 2007 | February 04, 2009 | January 29, 2007 |
| The Bottom Line | The SanDisk Sansa Clip is an incredible value that's set to edge out the competition with a user-friendly interface, gym-worthy design, and great sound quality. | The Samsung S2 Pebble is a simple, cute MP3 player that offers a super affordable price tag, good sound quality, and some compelling extras. It's a great option for those who like to wear their devices pendant style. | For those who want a supersmall and cute MP3 player that offers more than just simple music playback, the Creative Zen Stone Plus fits the bill nicely. | In the world of budget MP3 players, the Philips GoGear Spark is a diamond in the rough, offering an attractive balance of features, style, and usability. | If you like your music playback simple and your device nearly invisible, the second-generation iPod Shuffle will suit you well. But absentminded users should steer clear of this easy-to-misplace player. |
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| Features | |||||
| PC interface(s) supported | Hi-Speed USB | USB | USB | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| Flash memory installed | 4 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Flash memory form factor | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated |
| Software type | Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Info unavailable |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | Info unavailable | x1.7 in x 1.6 in x 0.7 in | x2.2 in x 0.5 in x 1.4 in | x5.9 in x 1.7 in x 5.7 in | x1.6 in x 0.4 in x 1.1 in |
| Mfr estimated battery life | Info unavailable | 13 hour(s) | 9.5 hour(s) | 27 hour(s) | 12 hour(s) |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | Pricing not available | Pricing not available | Pricing not available | This product has been discontinued. | |
