Mom was having some issues with her iPod Shuffle (2nd generation). I worked on it, but it was still not making reliable connection via USB. So, she wanted to buy a new iPod. I helped her pick one out, and she chose the iPod Shuffle again, this time the 3rd generation. This new one has the much-maligned control on the cord.
Some folks that want to accessorize their iPod with different earbuds don’t like the proprietary cord, but I’m here to tell you that this product made my mom very happy. She’s figured out how to work everything, and she especially likes having playlists, which the previous Shuffle lacked. There’s a lot to be said for the minimalist user interface. Not having a screen is a positive advantage for older folks who would have trouble seeing it anyway.
The problem with the old one was in the headphone jack/USB jack. I took it apart, and there was some cracked plastic, which I managed to reinforce with some metal and some epoxy. This was nearly a miracle, since this thing is really tiny. When you get it apart, it’s about 2/3 battery, which doesn’t leave much room for anything else. It does look like the jack is the weak point, and since you have to plug and unplug every time you switch between listening and charging, it is likely to be the first thing to fail.
Anyway, she’s happy with the new one, and the old one seems to be working as well now.
