Apple iPod shuffle 2GB Blue (4th Generation)

It is the greatest invention since running. I started running in 1963, 50 years this Sept. The first mile race I ever saw, I was in, and came in 2nd. I have been hooked ever since. Back then there were no special running clothes or shoes. It was just cut off blue jeans, a one fits all sports tennis shoe, and T-shirt. No one ran back then unless you had just robbed a bank and people would always look at you and then look behind you to see how the cops were doing.I got into long distance in the army in 1970, and when I got out, I still got strange looks from people but equipment had improved little. In the mid 70's came the running craze all of which are in wheel chairs, now. In '79 I ran with these big yellow headphones that had a radio inside. Then came small radios that you could strap on with a belt but stations would always fade and you were forced to listen to music you didn't like, to get anything on it. Finally, here I am in 2013 still running long distance with good wicking running clothes, state of the art running shoes and a 2GB iPod. (You've come a long way, baby!) I don't have a pain in the world and never have, which I attribute to running all these years. I don't feel any different that when I did on that first day I started to officially run in 1963, at 12 years old. I don't look as good, but you can't have it all. My only regret with the 2GB iPod is I wish I had gotten at least an 8GB. They listed the 2GB at hundreds of song you could download. I found out it was true, at 200. I find that I would be much more comfortable with a lot more than that. I know I can take some off and put others on, but that is more of a hassle than just adding as I go. Now if Apple would let me trade it back to them, for 2/3 of what I payed for it, since I have had it for only about a month and have 70 songs on it, I would jump at trading it in on a better one. But the iPod is a great invention for running. People always ask me why don't I take up golf. I tell them that is for old guys who can barely walk. No when and if I ever get in that condition, say when I am 100 or so, I will take it up. Maybe?

Price point off the top. Apple sells it with free two day shipping and free engraving for $49 as of this writing. I got mine for a bit less than that on Amazon but the price has gone up since my purchase. I love this thing. I want music and that is all. I can get just over 24 hours on it and it's easy to change around in ITunes. What I really like is the ability to operate it without seeing it. Once I got used to it I can do what I want without looking at it just by "feel". Spouse watches TV in bed at all hours. I put on the sleep mask and clip the shuffle to my pillowcase and off I go most often to sleep with nature sounds. Last night "Rain with Distant Thunder" worked for me. During the day I can listen to what I want no matter what anyone else has going in the house. I had a male/male audio cable laying around and I plug it into the boom box to fill the house with my music when it's my turn and plug it into my car's "aux" so I can listen to what I want while driving. There are certainly much cheaper MP3 players out there but the convenience of using ITunes into which I have loaded a pile of CDs makes it worth it for me. At night I clip it to my pillow case and an inexpensive pair of noise isolating earbuds shuts out the world. A note on the clip and complaints that operating the clip caused skipping forward or back. Step one: turn off device; step two: clip where you want: step three: turn device back on and it will pick up where it left off.

Works great

I was looking for a way for my 78 year old mother to easily hear her music when trying to rest and tune the world out!!! She wanted something EASY to operate and the Apple iPod shuffle 2GB Blue (5th Generation) NEWEST MODEL fit the bill for her!PROS: It's VERY lightweight. Clip attaches easily to light shirt. Sound is AMAZING with headphones that came with the unit and also with generic, more comfortable ones! The ">>" and "<<" buttons make it simple to navigate through her music and are conveniently placed on the device. All buttons on the front are easy to depress and find my touch. She is finding battery life to be terrific! The 14 hour estimated play time is very accurate. Charging is quick at around 2-3 hours for complete charge.AGAIN...SOUND is absolutely AMAZING!!!! This little device has a HUGE sound!CONS: I opened an iTunes account and loaded all the music for her. She would have never been able to navigate through the set up and music search and download process herself. (she does email on occasion and "googles" things once a month, so her computer knowledge is limited) The set up and download process was not as simple as Google Music which I have used for several years. One plus, you can load your own CD's into iTUNES fairly easily.Big con for us....NO wall charger came with device. Only a USB charger!!!! I ordered "3-in-1 USB Sync & Charge Cable + USB Car Charger + USB Home Travel..." Sold by Bargaincell to address this issue instead of the more expensive "official" iPOD charger. It has been working great for over a month with no issues. The car charger has not been tried at this time.All in all....great gadget...fits our needs perfectly!