iPod, iPod Nano, iPod shuffle and iTunes 7

The other problem with the new shuffle is that it no longer has a standard USB plug like the older shuffle. While that may have gone to make the device smaller, it also removes the ability to use it as a USB flash drive to transport data from one computer to another. The new shuffle comes with a proprietory dock with a 3.5mm stereo jack that fits into the earphone socket of the device. The earphone socket doubles up as a sync outlet, like our favorite MobiBLU DAH-1500i cube MP3 player. Non-music files can still be stored on the new shuffle, but you'll have to carry the dock around. Fortunately, there are third part solutions that add standard USB functionality to the new shuffle, for example the IncipioBud.

Also, the new shuffle doesn't come with the redesigned earphones found in the iPod and the iPod Nano; it ships with the same old earphones that the previous generation iPods shipped with. There's no apparent reason why the old earphones were chosen. Do the bigger, older earphones stay put more firmly in the ears during workouts? I don't think so.

The new shuffle is a fabulous piece of technology—so small, yet being able to store up to 1GB of music--but the non-removability of the clip, lack of an integrated USB plug and the old style earphones leave it from getting a very high rating.

The new iPod shuffle comes with 1GB of storage and costs Rs. 5,000.�

Rating: 3.0/5