Apple iPod 2GB

The Most Affordable Apple

My ratings: 4/5

Apple- the fruit always fascinated me since my childhood. My early summers were spent in mango orchids and winters in guava orchids. Apple was a fruit that was always costlier than other fruits (in northern area). I have grown up but the fascination still remains- not to the fruit but to the gadget.

I was planning to have an Apple product since long time but the exorbitant pricing stopped me. I needed something portable for listening music while I am walking or am in gym. The need was to purchase a portable MP3 player and what is better than Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB - with its cute little size and Apple branding.

Looks & Design - It is a square aluminum case that comes in array of bright colors (silver, orange, blue, pink, and green). I choose blue color to match the color of my N8.


It has got a white navigation circular pad to adjust the volume and skip tracks . In the middle of the circle sits a Pause/Play button. It’s generally easy to press these buttons without looking. It looks rock solid and durable with its scratch-free aluminum finish . It is having a clip on the back , which is sturdy enough to cling even to thin layers of clothing.

It has got a Voice Over button on the top of it, between the headphone jack and On/Off switch. This feature announces the names of playlists, tracks, and artists, as well as the battery status. Just press this button to hear the name of the track and artist you’re listening to, and press and hold it to hear the names of various playlists loaded on it. Press the button twice to hear the battery status.

It has 2 Gigabytes of storage capacity, but actually provides 1.88GB of usable space, with 1.83GB initially available for audio content .

It charges through its own USB cable that connects through the 3.5mm headphone jack and has a switch letting users turn the device off, or play playlists in order or in Shuffle mode. I can even charge it from my N8 thatz a big plus for me. It is rated for 15hrs music playback .

Music - The iPod is inclusive of classic white headphone with 3.5mm jack . The quality of music is awesome and is better than any other MP3 player of this range in the market. It does not have Bluetooth , so wireless headphones aren’t an option.

Like all Apple products, music can be transferred only via iTunes that can be downloaded free from the Apple website.

Pricing - The MRP of Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB is Rs.3200. I purchased it from infibeam.com at Rs.3068. You may get it from stores at prices varying from 2.8-3k, depending on your bargaining skills.

Pros
1. Best music quality in this price range
2. Lightweight design with sturdy clip
3. Awesome looks with attractive colors
4. Long battery life
5. Option of storing and playing multiple playlists
6. Cutest MP3 player in the market

Cons
1. Cannot simultaneously recharge and play music , as there is common port for headphone and USB cable
2. Total dependency on PC as iTunes is the only way to transfer music
3. No Bluetooth

Final Words - The iPod shuffle is an affordable MP3 player, and one of the smallest music players in the market. If you are planning to purchase a player in the range 2-2.5k, then better go for iPod Shuffle as it will give a boost to your ego (for those who are Apple freaks). It is highly recommended for people who don’t mind inability to choose a particular song , especially gym-goers, who wouldn’t want to look at their MP3 players while working. It is well-designed, easy to use, and in a word, a steal at this price.

An Apple a day keeps the enviers away.