This docking station is used with the new tiny Apple Ipod shuffle. As you might imagine, the docking station is also extremely small. The docking station has two purposes. The iPod can be placed into the station in order to be charged. The other end fits into a USB port on your PC. You also need to use the docking station if you want to upload new music onto your iPod. This works in the same manner. As soon as you plug the docking station into the PC the Apple software loads.
If you buy the new iPod shuffle then the docking station comes with it. However, if you lose it/break it (not easy) or want an extra one then you can buy it from many places. The best place is probably online as this is where you can buy it cheapest. Places like Amazon or Ebay seem to have the best prices with the cheapest around £5. Or you could buy direct from Apple (either from the high street or online). However this is much more expensive - £19. Although this guarantees you get the real deal, i think it is worth going for the cheaper option as the difference in price is so great. Obviously its up to you though.
The docking station uses the same hole in the iPod as the the headphones, so it is not possible to listen to your iPod when it is charging or when you are downloading music. This might be slightly annoying but hasnt been a problem to me. Obviously yo can listen to the iPod music via your PC speakers if you want to.
The only disadvantage is that you cannot charge your iPod via the mains. At the moment this has not caused a problem for me as the computer is on a lot in our house. However, it will be very inconvenient when i go on holiday as i wont be able to charge my iPod.
UPDATE: I have since bought a USB mains charger really cheaply (£4 plus postage from ebay) that means i can plug my docking station into the mains and charge my iPod that way. This is pretty cool and means I will be able to charge my iPod when i go abroad (remember your european adaptor). You can buy an offical Apple USB adaptor but as before (in relation to the actual docking station) it costs £19.
The iPod shuffle docking station is easy and convenient to use, especially if you buy a cheap USB adaptor so you can charge from the mains. The docking station is extremely sturdy and the iPod itself is well secured once it is docked on. You can turn it upside down etc and it wont fall off.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I have rerated and think this is now a much better review. I am glad my comment has helped you but what would help you most is to read and rate other reviews as this is how Ciao works and will show you how much information you need to include in any future reviews. By rating others you will also get more ratings yourself. Laura
Mar 4th, 2007
(Apr 24th, 2007)
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