# WTF is with the iPods these days? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2010, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433 "2010-07-21T05:52:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/1 "2010-07-21T05:52:44Z")
Not to sound like an old fogey at the ripe age of 25, but what the hell is with newer iPods? I’m referring to the skip “feature” that self-activates anytime my iPod touch is jostled. Say, during a jog. Go ahead. strap on the “activity” cover clip that should, you know, ready your iPod for exercise, and try to move for more than 10 seconds without the song changing. Is there some way to turn this useless feature off? My old iPod (the cute little squarish iPod 8gig from a few years back) did NOT do this! My mother’s iPod (which is longer, thinner, and a year newer) does. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/2 "2010-07-21T06:27:06Z")
Yes, you can turn it off under the settings menu. Or at least, you can on the iPhone, and I’d be surprised if the iPod were any different. Look for something labeled “Shake to Shuffle.” ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/3 "2010-07-21T09:02:25Z")
**Miller’s** right - it’s a “feature” enabled by default in the Ipod Touch. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/4 "2010-07-21T12:16:47Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > **Miller’s** right - it’s a “feature” enabled by default in the Ipod Touch. More to the point, it was introduced in a software update a year or so ago. My iPod Touch never did it when I bought it a couple of years back, but did it after I upgraded the software. It’s a pretty dumb feature for a _portable_ music player - I don’t know anyone who uses it and can’t imagine anyone would when it is so easy to trigger accidentally. Anyway, to the OP - go to Settings -\> Music -\> and the top option in the menu should be “Shake to Shuffle”. Set the slider to OFF. Done. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/5 "2010-07-21T13:30:31Z")
I think there is also a glitch in iTunes, if I understand correctly. I upgraded my iPhone 3 to the new OS and it’s caused a world of problems. All my podcasts skip, fast-forward and shut off — AND this is with ‘shake to shuffle’ turned off. Any ideas welcome. It seems to help if I hold the iPhone rather than keep it in the little bag I usually use. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/6 "2010-07-21T13:45:20Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yes, you can turn it off under the settings menu. Or at least, you can on the iPhone, and I’d be surprised if the iPod were any different. Look for something labeled “Shake to Shuffle.” O.o How did I never notice this before? I’ve been trying to turn the damn feature off for _weeks._ Thanks to everyone who replied! My iPod is now useable. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/7 "2010-07-21T14:08:49Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > I think there is also a glitch in iTunes, if I understand correctly. I upgraded my iPhone 3 to the new OS and it’s caused a world of problems. All my podcasts skip, fast-forward and shut off — AND this is with ‘shake to shuffle’ turned off. > > Any ideas welcome. It seems to help if I hold the iPhone rather than keep it in the little bag I usually use. I’d check to see if that setting reset or not. I’ve had tons of trouble since I updated my iPhone 3G to the 4.0 OS, and would love to switch back. It’s much slower now. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/8 "2010-07-21T15:43:30Z")
On my iPod Nano, there is also a bar at the top that I can slide to lock it. That way, no bumps will change the volume or activate the shake feature. I don’t know anyone who uses the shake feature. It must be designed for teens with ADD who have to change songs every ten seconds. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/9 "2010-07-21T15:55:14Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’d check to see if that setting reset or not. I’ve had tons of trouble since I updated my iPhone 3G to the 4.0 OS, and would love to switch back. It’s much slower now. Now the OS supports multitasking, it suffers from the same issues as PCs and Macs do when they have too many programs open. While most apps just hibernate when you hit the Home button, and restart when you select them from the multitask menu, some of them do in fact continue to run in some way. I make sure I shut everything down that could possibly be running in the background every few hours. It should help. A pain in the arse, but one which is outweighed by my ability to listen to streaming radio while running my SatNav and surfing the web at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/10 "2010-07-21T16:07:58Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Now the OS supports multitasking, it suffers from the same issues as PCs and Macs do when they have too many programs open. There is no multitasking on the 3G, just the 3GS. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/11 "2010-07-21T16:37:31Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > On my iPod Nano, there is also a bar at the top that I can slide to lock it. That way, no bumps will change the volume or activate the shake feature. > > I don’t know anyone who uses the shake feature. It must be designed for teens with ADD who have to change songs every ten seconds. I’ve forgotten to lock my iPod a few times while walking and been startled when my podcast suddenly switched to music. :smack: I use the shake feature occasionally. Usually when I’m drunk and my friend and I want something to sing along to while we’re walking to get breakfast at 2 am. (I have a 5th gen nano, which has an external speaker.) Sober, it’s easier just to use the scrollwheel to click to the next song. P.S. Apologies to the citizens of Ann Arbor. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/12 "2010-07-21T16:41:41Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > There is no multitasking on the 3G, just the 3GS. Ah. I kinda ignored the missing S. And you should ignore me. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/13 "2010-07-21T18:14:52Z")
Is this the place for my mini-rant about the new-ish ipod shuffle? If so, here are the main points in the email I sent to Apple. > [@](#): > > …I think the changes made to the new version are a step or two backward. I primarily listen to my Shuffle when running, as I’ve got an 80gb iPod for my other uses. > > First, I’ll start with the shape. I clip my Shuffle to my waistband so that it’s secure, and doesn’t bounce around like it would if clipped to a sleeve. The old square shape was much more functional. It seemed to have a more secure clip, but it also had the headphone insert to the side, at least in relation to be clipped into a waistband. Now, because the new version is long and skinny and the headphones come out of the top, it points into my stomach when I bend forward. Granted, I could lose a few pounds and it would be less of an issue, but I run frequently, so it’s not like my stomach is sagging over my waist and protruding into the Shuffle’s space. > > Second, I’m not a fan of the location of the controls, which are now on the cord rather than the “body.” As I’m running, the headphone cords sway and bounce a bit, so I have to reach up toward the earbud and then slide my fingers down to the controls. I don’t think this is easier than knowing exactly where the Shuffle’s body is located, and being able to reach for the exact same spot each time. > > Third, I think the controls are flawed. On the previous Shuffle, it was extremely simple (not that I think the current versions are complicated, though). Press forward for the next song, back for the previous, center to pause/play, and up or down to adjust the volume. Now, I need to press the center button multiple times (and hope I don’t accidentally press it one too many time) to get to the next song, and if I want to listen to a song again that played 5 songs ago, I have to press 3 times, pause, 3 times, pause, etc. It’s much simpler to press back 5 times than 15 with pauses. The same goes for wanting to skip ahead tracks, except by a factor of 2 rather than 3. > > Fourth, I don’t like the same switch controlling the on/off, shuffle, or “play in order” (for lack of a specific word). If I want to switch from shuffle to playing in order, while running, I have to be sure not to slide the control too far over, lest I turn it off. Is this a big problem? No, but I think it’s a nuisance and unnecessary, and it won’t likely be improved without feedback. Please note that the previous version had separate switches for shuffling/in order and on/off. > > Finally, I really don’t like that the controls are on the headphones, which means if I want to switch songs or volume, and don’t have the headphones that came with the new Shuffle, I can’t do anything but listen to it as it goes, whether it’s too loud, quiet, a bad song, etc. I’m cynically thinking this is to force me to buy new Apple headphones when/if the ones that came with it die, get lost, or if I forget them when I take a vacation, etc. While the previous Shuffle lasted for 3+ years, I did have to replace the headphones several times; I believe I had about a half-dozen different types (both those that go around the ear and earbuds). If the Apple earbuds aren’t comparable, price-wise, to other brands, then I’ll have to consider a non-Apple product for my mp3 player while running. > > \ (However, my understanding was that Apple always strived for great aesthetics, but not to the detriment of functionality, and as I stated above, I think that’s a problem with the new Shuffle.) > > … Has anyone else been disappointed with the newer version of the shuffle? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/14 "2010-07-21T19:05:57Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > Is this the place for my mini-rant about the new-ish ipod shuffle? If so, here are the main points in the email I sent to Apple. Those were the \*main \*points? ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/15 "2010-07-21T19:49:54Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Those were the \*main \*points? 😛 Sorry. As I tried to cut that down a bit, it was easier to just leave my explanations, and I forgot to change my post. I did compliment Apple on a couple other things, but the negatives far outweigh the positives. (I want my thousands of songs available at any point, exactly how I want, when and where I want them, to sound perfectly, and I don’t want to pay much for it, either! Gimme gimme gimme!) ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/16 "2010-07-22T03:22:27Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > On my iPod Nano, there is also a bar at the top that I can slide to lock it. That way, no bumps will change the volume or activate the shake feature. \ Really? I am looking at my Nano now, and all I see is a silver button. No slide switch. What is the button for? ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/17 "2010-07-22T04:27:56Z")
> [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > Really? I am looking at my Nano now, and all I see is a silver button. No slide switch. What is the button for? The button is the lock. It slides toward the centre. And, contrary to other users, I don’t find the shake to shuffle too sensitive. I use my iPod in the car and it’s very easy to grab and shake for another song rather than look for the right place to press on the body. I’ve never had it shuffle when walking with it. Maybe I’m not bouncing up and down enough. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/18 "2010-07-22T12:31:33Z")
> [@Kiwi\_Fruit](#): > > The button is the lock. It slides toward the centre. > > And, contrary to other users, I don’t find the shake to shuffle too sensitive. I use my iPod in the car and it’s very easy to grab and shake for another song rather than look for the right place to press on the body. I’ve never had it shuffle when walking with it. Maybe I’m not bouncing up and down enough. Perhaps. I wear mine while I’m having sex - last night I listened to 236 albums. :o ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/19 "2010-07-22T13:24:30Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > Is this the place for my mini-rant about the new-ish ipod shuffle? If so, here are the main points in the email I sent to Apple. > > Has anyone else been disappointed with the newer version of the shuffle? Wait a minute—the controls are on the **headphones**? That’s fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433/20 "2010-07-22T14:10:46Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Wait a minute—the controls are on the **headphones**? > > That’s fucked up. Yep. The controls for play/pause/forward/back and volume are on the cord about 6 inches from the earbud. Do other manufacturers do this? I haven’t seen any aftermarket headphones like this, yet. Well played, Apple…ya bastards. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-with-the-ipods-these-days/547433.md?page=2)