First off, one quick administrative note. The November meeting of our local Apple User Group, MMOOS, will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, November 14th, a week earlier than our customary third Tuesday of the month. Make a note on your calendar. For more information, and directions to our meeting place, check out our website at mmoos.net.

This week Apple started shipping its second-generation iPod shuffle. The shuffle is called a shuffle because it has no display screen to show you what music is playing or to give you the ability to scroll through and select individual songs like other iPods do. Apple’s market research showed that many people enjoyed the random playing of their music (called shuffling), and the lack of a screen dramatically decreases the size of the iPod shuffle and increases the battery life.

You can also configure your iTunes software to load the songs you listen to the most onto your shuffle every time you hook it up to your (either Mac or PC) computer, and you can choose to have the shuffle not shuffle and just play any playlist in order if you prefer.

The second-generation shuffle comes in a single 1GB of memory (240 song) configuration, retailing for $79. The first-generation shuffle was the size of a small pack of chewing gum. The new shuffle is the size and weight of a thick book of matches. 1.6” by 1” by .4”. Weighs in at about one-half of an ounce. Up to 12 hours of advertised battery life. Unlike the older shuffles that were designed to hang on a lanyard around your neck, the new shuffles have an integrated clip for your pocket, lapel, or gym short’s elastic band.

Clearing the way for the new shuffles, Apple is selling refurbished models of the old shuffles in the “Special Deals” section of their online store at apple.com. The 1 GB model (again, 240 songs) for $59 and the 512 MB model (120 songs) for $29. There’s very little technological difference between the old and the new, and I have had no problems with any refurb products I’ve purchased from Apple’s store.

Can anyone say “stocking stuffer”? The sale began late this week, so hopefully they’ll still be available on Friday. If the refurbs aren’t, the new shuffles are, and orders over $50 (two refurbs) qualify for free shipping (listed as 3-5 business days). HO HO HO.

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski