Monitoring an iPod shuffle s Battery

Monitoring an iPod shuffle's Battery

Just like all iPods, the shuffle has an internal battery. You should monitor its charge level occasionally so you don't run out of music.

To check the shuffle's battery level, press the Battery button on the shuffle's backside (see Figure 5.3). The status light will illuminate. If it is green, your shuffle has plenty of charge; if it is yellow, you should think about recharging your shuffle soon. If it is red, your world is about to become a lot quieter so get thee to a USB port immediately.

Figure 5.3. Press the Battery button to see how charged up your shuffle is.

Remember that every time you plug your shuffle into a computer, its battery will be charged. And, as you'll learn in Chapter 12, "Maintaining an iPod and Solving Problems," it is actually good for an iPod's battery to be charged frequently. So, it's a good idea to plug your shuffle into your computer regularly, whether you have been listening to it a lot or not.

The Absolute Minimum

This is a short chapter because there just isn't that much to controlling a shuffle. But, in case your mind wandered, here are the highlights:

• You can listen to a shuffle's music with the included earbuds, but you can also connect it to a set of powered speakers.

• Turn on a shuffle and choose how its music will play (straight through or shuffling) with the slider on the back of its case.

• Use the Control pad to control music playback and volume.

• Use the slider to turn off the shuffle when you are done with it.

• Use the Hold mode to prevent unintentional control presses.

• Check on the shuffle's battery every so often by pressing the Battery button on the back and looking at the status light.

• If you've read this chapter and don't have a shuffle yet, what are you waiting for? shuffles make great companions to your other iPods (don't worry, they won't get jealous).