Me and My Shuffle

by CHRIS RIVARD :: JUN 4, 2007 :: COMMENTS (1)

On a run this weekend I was thinking how much use I have been getting out of my iPod shuffle and how much more I use it than my iPod. I love the simplicity of flashing the Shuffle with an entire new playlist - the device has one use, play music, randomly if desired. It's lightweight, inconspicuous and durable. I think that's why I'm so fond of it. The last time I really enjoyed using the iPod was on a solo road trip to Phoenix recently when I listened to Freakonomics in it's entirety (car audio kit required). I typically take the iPod when I'm flying out of town for business to listen to Podcasts or music. The few times that I have watched a video Podcast on it, my eyes go blurry and I can only last a few minutes. The Shuffle seems to be a perfect complement to the service (iTunes).

I'm advocating the “less is more” approach. Maybe some of the problems that device makers are trying to solve on the device could be better addressed on the desktop or in the case of business communications devices, through a more refined business process. Maybe the solution is not even a device, but a shared service (e.g. Plaxo). So, all of this begs the question: Is the iPhone really “the God machine”? We'll see. Very soon. I'm still waiting for voice to text so that can dictate my email and finally do away with the keyboard altogether.