Apple iPod shuffle

The first big Apple launch of 2009 is an all new iPod shuffle, its smallest ever product. The proportional reduction in size this time around is actually greater than from the first-gen shuffle to the second.

Small size

It's about as tiny as you can get: any smaller and a 3.5mm headphone jack wouldn't actually fit into it. At the same time, however, storage has been bumped up to 4GB (the only option at present).

This lack of size is achieved largely by shifting transport and volume controls to the right headphone cable, about level with the top of your shirt.

While this means the player can be tucked away pretty much anywhere you can clip it on, it also means every time you use the controls the right earbud moves around in your ear, and if you're too heavy-handed falls out altogether.

That aside, the new controls are simple to use. A single clickable button sits between the volume buttons, and lets you play/pause (by clicking once), or go to the next (twice) or previous track (three times).

The talking iPod

Holding in the button accesses VoiceOver, a feature that speaks out the title and artist of the current song, or the names of playlists. Unsurprisingly, this only works through iTunes, and requires a specific plug-in to be installed.

It's a pleasant novelty, certainly, but nothing like as useful as an actual screen. And being tied into the controls on the earbud cable, we found ourselves being reluctant to use it.

And of course, these controls mean that – initially at least – you're stuck with the limited supplied earphones. There's no doubt third parties will release alternative earphones, or adapters for your own, but it does reduce the initial appeal.

No screen, no sale?

It's also a product that struggles for a 'wow factor'. With so many of the big talking points in consumer technology over the past couple of years revolving around screens – touchscreens, flatscreens, widescreens – a product with no screen at all has a tougher job making its mark.

We've no doubt that the new shuffle will have its fans – especially when earphone options improve. It'll make a great lightweight exercise companion or second player. But the previous shuffle was a big step forward, and we just can't say that this time, no matter how small it is.