Apple's smaller 4GB iPod Shuffle features voice software
Apple unveils talking 4GB iPod Shuffle
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12 Mar 2009, Iain Thomson , V3
Apple has upgraded its low-end iPod line with a new 4GB shuffle that includes software that speaks the name of tracks being played.
The new iPod shuffle is similar to older models in that it has no screen, but is about half the size. The device includes software that will tell the user verbally what track is playing, and vocalise playlists and the amount of battery life remaining.
"Imagine your music player talking to you, telling you your song titles, artists and playlist names," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod and iPhone product marketing.
"The amazingly small new iPod shuffle takes a revolutionary approach to how you listen to your music by talking to you, also making it the first iPod shuffle with playlists."
All controls for the device are contained on the headphones. The voice software is installed on the user's computer and downloaded to the device so that it can speak in 14 languages: English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
The device, available in silver and black, is $10 (£7.25) more than the older 2GB shuffle it replaces. Apple will continue selling the 1GB shuffle for $49 (£35) but will phase out the 2GB version.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Better much better!!!
The other name for Apple Inc is innovation and they are continuing to prove it. Every time they come up with a new idea, which is invariably better and smarter, then the previous ones. What do you think about the new talking iPod shuffle?
Posted by hannahh kelly, 12 Mar 2009
Glad to see it, but it's hardley innovation.
I've been emailing Apple every six months since 2004 asking them to include voice ID3 tags. I have 50,000 tracks plus in my collection, I get at least 190 new tracks a month - I can't recognise them all. And I'm usualy on my mountainbike, skateboard or snowboard when I'm listening, so I can't get my iPod out to check the screen. I want this feature on ALL iPods/iPhones. Not just the shuffle.
I also read something that makes it seem like it speaks at the push of a button. To hell with that, I want to be able ot set is as a preference to do it at the start/end/both of every track.
Posted by DoctorDee, 13 Mar 2009