The following accessibility review is for iPod shuffle (third generation). Read our accessibility review of iPod shuffle (fourth generation), the latest version of iPod shuffle.
The iPod devices produced by Apple are the most popular brand of player, and the iPod shuffle (third generation) is the entry-level version in this range. The iPod shuffle is called the world’s smallest music player for good reason – it weighs a tiny 10.7 grams for either the 2GB or the 4GB models.
There are no controls on the body of the player; instead the controls are located on the right earphone cord. There are two down-sides to this. First you cannot use just any headphones because you need proprietary headphones to control the iPod shuffle (although there are headphones with compatible controls made by companies other than Apple). Second, you cannot plug your iPod shuffle into a speaker system.
Of particularly note is that the iPod shuffle can talk to you. Apple’s integrated VoiceOver software can tell you the name of the song you are listening to and who performs that song with a single click of the earphone control. It can also announce your playlists. This is a feature that is unique to the iPod range of devices.
Like all the iPod products, you need iTunes to transfer audio files from your computer to your iPod shuffle. Apple has done considerable work to make iTunes compatible with screen readers. Apple states that on a Mac using Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard, iTunes is compatible with VoiceOver. They recommend Window-Eyes 7.0 by GW Micro if you are using a PC with Windows XP or Windows Vista. Screen reader users also report that iTunes can be used with the freely available NVDA and System Access to Go.
The 2GB model retails for A$79, and the 4GB for A$109.
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