It would be cooler if you could program the individual plugs yourself. Say a cellphone plug will only run for x amount of time, others all the time, ect.
This seems simpler, but less clever and effective than the Smart Strip, which uses an adjustable threshold to determine when a device is ON or on STANDBY. Different audience, I suppose. The Smart Strip is for tweakers and OCD power conservationists. This Belkin product is perfect for the Prius driver how will spend extra money to alleviate eco-guilt and increase smug level.
So, we have $79 for a 4GB player that needs a $20 accessory before you can use a different set of headphones than the set that comes with them. It's only real function is to use to work out.
On the other hand, you can buy a 4GB Sansa Clip for $47.95 at Amazon, or an 8GB for $78.38. You also get an FM radio, voice recorder, and a screen.
If you wish to stay with Apple (iTunes), you can still get the 1GB 2nd generation shuffle for $49 from Apple.
Since Jobs came back, Apple has made very few missteps, but the 3rd generation Shuffle is, in my opinion anyway.
I bought a 2gb Sansa Clip for $20 shipped from Woot earlier this year. But wow, I should have saved my money and gotten a headphone adapter! (plus $75 for the shuffle)
@cc82: lol... Awesome! I too recently picked up a Sansa Clip. I missed the woot sale but I managed to pick up a 4gb Clip for just over $40. I really do not understand the point of a shuffle...
@madara: the clip kicks ass... its nice being able to browse your music while a song is playing...it has allot of great features for a cheap little mp3 player...
The problem is this dongle will connect before the headphones, right by the shuffle itself. You might as well put the controls on the shuffle then, since they're no longer located "more conviniently" up the headphone cord.
Please stop bashing Apple. Voice Control is one of my favorite new features which exposes me to new music.
For example, when I say "Play Songs By Jane's Addiction", Voice Control says "Artist Not Recognized." Eventually, after four or five failures, I wind up having to listen to newer not as good music.
Oh, sorry, I had honestly forgotten that the shuffle was still part of Apple's lineup. Personally, I recall America having lost interest quite a while ago... Even moreso when this wasn't available at launch.
@Yanguang: Yeah, but not nearly as much as I hate these so-called "ergonomic" mice that are flat as a pancake and anything by nice to the hand.
Try this: Shake your hand a bit, and without contracting _any_ muscles, drop it on a table. If you did as instructed, and you don't have teensy little paws, I'd guess you've got about 1.5" of space underneath at the highest point. And if you're not sure whether you did it right, here's how you can check:
1. Clench your hand in a fist, and then relax it. 2. Flatten it like you're about to slap someone, and then relax it. 3. If you did it right, the relaxed position should be pretty much the same both times.
Ooooo the color really got me going, but the idea of not having that painful cramping has got me absolutely thrilled. Have you got any idea how much I have spent on finding the perfect mouse?
@Software_Goddess: I used to swear by the little tiny ultra-portable mice for travel (I have a knack for using them by pinching the body between thumb and ring finger and find them quite comfortable, but I realize they're not perfect for everyone), but before heading out to Brickworld I spotted a purple Microsoft Arc and it's all kinds of awesome. That high hump really supports my hand without making me hold my fingers up off the left and right buttons, which I guarantee I'd have to do with this flattie or I'd be registering unintentional mouse clicks all the time.
@TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.: No, hells no, and damn hells no. That is almost what we'd call a flattie. While there is a pronounced hump at the front end, the rest of the design forces your fingers to take on an unnaturally flat pose, which often results in unintentional button pushes when you relax your finger muscles enough to _not_ keep them from resting on the buttons too hard.
I can't say for sure that the Arc is the most durable mouse on the market (and it certainly doesn't have the most buttons), but it's by far the most ergonomic design I've been able to find in years.
09/30/09
09/30/09
09/30/09
Smart Strip: [www.amazon.com]
09/30/09
09/30/09
09/30/09
09/15/09
09/15/09
I could really use this. Man.... I think I might buy one of these for my parents. Woah.... 130 bucks..... *clicks back button*.
09/15/09
09/15/09
I will stick to hard wiring everything. It's faster, more reliable, and about $110 less than using this product. I'll pass.
07/28/09
On the other hand, you can buy a 4GB Sansa Clip for $47.95 at Amazon, or an 8GB for $78.38. You also get an FM radio, voice recorder, and a screen.
If you wish to stay with Apple (iTunes), you can still get the 1GB 2nd generation shuffle for $49 from Apple.
Since Jobs came back, Apple has made very few missteps, but the 3rd generation Shuffle is, in my opinion anyway.
07/29/09
07/29/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/29/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
I don't foresee the current shuffle living on. If apple even releases another shuffle I don't think its going to have the same design.
07/28/09
For example, when I say "Play Songs By Jane's Addiction", Voice Control says "Artist Not Recognized." Eventually, after four or five failures, I wind up having to listen to newer not as good music.
Thanks Apple.
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
That and summertime is one of my favorite songs
07/28/09
07/28/09
also, dave navvaro used to be married to carmen electra, that's gotta be worth something
07/28/09
07/28/09
Isn't she bat shit insane?
07/28/09
But she makes damn good dance music and that goes a long way.
07/28/09
Jane Says live ranks up there in my list too.
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
Haha, I must agree. I have yet to see someone with a new shuffle. D:
07/28/09
07/28/09
07/28/09
It was a great value las gen, but Shuffle+$20 certainly isn't worth it.
07/28/09
07/16/09
07/16/09
I just clicked away from their web page slowly...
07/16/09
07/16/09
07/16/09
06/24/09
06/25/09
I was thinking that it looks like it'd be more comfortable if you flipped it upside-down.
06/24/09
06/25/09
Yeah, but not nearly as much as I hate these so-called "ergonomic" mice that are flat as a pancake and anything by nice to the hand.
Try this: Shake your hand a bit, and without contracting _any_ muscles, drop it on a table. If you did as instructed, and you don't have teensy little paws, I'd guess you've got about 1.5" of space underneath at the highest point. And if you're not sure whether you did it right, here's how you can check:
1. Clench your hand in a fist, and then relax it.
2. Flatten it like you're about to slap someone, and then relax it.
3. If you did it right, the relaxed position should be pretty much the same both times.
06/24/09
06/25/09
I used to swear by the little tiny ultra-portable mice for travel (I have a knack for using them by pinching the body between thumb and ring finger and find them quite comfortable, but I realize they're not perfect for everyone), but before heading out to Brickworld I spotted a purple Microsoft Arc and it's all kinds of awesome. That high hump really supports my hand without making me hold my fingers up off the left and right buttons, which I guarantee I'd have to do with this flattie or I'd be registering unintentional mouse clicks all the time.
06/25/09
Logitech VX Nano
You can thank me later.
06/25/09
No, hells no, and damn hells no. That is almost what we'd call a flattie. While there is a pronounced hump at the front end, the rest of the design forces your fingers to take on an unnaturally flat pose, which often results in unintentional button pushes when you relax your finger muscles enough to _not_ keep them from resting on the buttons too hard.
I can't say for sure that the Arc is the most durable mouse on the market (and it certainly doesn't have the most buttons), but it's by far the most ergonomic design I've been able to find in years.