Reshuffle: Apple's new iPod navigates by voice

Smaller than your average shuffle - the new iPod with VoiceOver

Apple has released the third generation of its smallest, cheapest MP3 player -the iPod Shuffle. The new shuffle, which packs 4GB of storage for roughly 1000 AAC encoded songs (perhaps more in MP3 format) is even smaller than its predecessor and eschews the buttons and clickwheel which was a staple in the past two versions.



Without any buttons and controls on the iPod Shuffle (they've been moved to a sliver of plastic attached to the headset), the anodized aluminum device (in black or silver) is sleek and seamless. It is smaller than a AA battery and with the attached clip the new shuffle is super-portable.

VoiceOver in the House

Taking a feature from the current iPod Nano, the new Shuffle can access song names and even playlists using VoiceOver. This feature is enabled once you press on the headset dongle. The robotic voice is eerily similar to the one belonging to the new Amazon Kindle, making us think that a trend of talking gadgets and devices are well on their way. The VoiceOver technology manages to work in different languages as well. VoiceOver solves a problem with the shuffles which made it impossible to create or navigate playlists. Competing products from Creative and others manages to squeeze in tiny OLED screens to help guide users through the navigation.

The new iPod Shuffle doesn't have a standard headphone jack, so if you're particular about the headset that you use you might need to wait until Apple comes up with a solution (supposedly in the works). Otherwise you will need to content yourself with the white buds that come with the controller.

The iPod Family - Now easier to lose

As you can see the new Shuffle is incredibly tiny. Hopefully the sound quality is outstanding and the VoiceOver technology works well or is easy enough to use. It seems that the unibody look and construction of the MacBooks is quickly inspiring the rest of the Apple product line.