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iPod Shuffle |
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There are other MP3 players but the iPod's style and download system means it reigns supreme. Ursula Seymour, who writes for PC Advisor, Mac World, Computer Buyer and The Sunday Times among others, picks the best of the range Click to view Top 5 iPods.
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Best for Action (iPod shuffle) |
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 The iPod shuffle is the smallest player Apple makes. It's cheap, light and simple, making it perfect for anyone who wants music while they run, ski, climb or cycle. Its autofill feature, which loads it up with random songs from your collection, also makes it fantastically easy to use. Just hit play and you're off. (Compare Prices) |
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| Apple's iPod shuffle has recently been redesigned and the new version is even smaller and lighter than its predecessor – in fact it's hard to believe it's possible to get all the machinery necessary to store and play songs into a box this tiny. It measures 41.2x27.3x10.53mm and weighs just 15.6g, and it's partly these diminutive dimensions that make it our pick for action junkies. (Compare Prices) |
Ultra Light |
 This iPod is the perfect companion for the gym as you will hardly notice you're wearing it, yet its 1GB of memory holds 240 songs and the battery will last up to 12 hours, long enough to outlast the most hardcore workout. Because the type of memory used to store your music is solid state, in other words it has no moving parts, playback is always smooth with no skipping even during the most energetic exercise. A built-in clip means you can easily strap it to your clothes or bag while you're on the move. (Compare Prices) |
Super Simple |
 The beauty of the shuffle is its simplicity. While all iPods have a shuffle function that selects songs to play at random, that's all the shuffle does. You just hook it up to your PC or Mac and it will autofill with a selection of music from your music library. US magazine Macworld explains that the shuffle's approach makes it "akin to a radio station that you've chosen because you appreciate the style of music it plays".
Perhaps it's this simplicity that has won it a fan in exercise junkie US President Bush, who praised his iPod shuffle in his own inimitable fashion on American TV: "Lightweight, and crank it on and you shuffle the Shuffle".
It's not just filling it up with songs that's easy; it has a pared down interface that means you can operate all the controls with one hand, while it charges and synchronises using a simple USB dock.
The ease of use is backed by Apple's trademark top-quality design and a tough anodised aluminium finish that can stand up to any amount of bashing in your gym bag.
Best of all, the shuffle offers you the sophisticated design and simplicity of an iPod at a knockdown price. This does mean that you forgo any high end features, but at this price you can hardly complain. (Compare Prices) |
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