Don’t throw away that old iPod Shuffle

I won an iPod shuffle via a radio contest almost (or more than? I couldn’t remember!) two years ago. Since then, Apple has released newer iPods and iPod shuffles. I got the second generation, late 2007 revision grey iPod shuffle in 2GB.

I bet nobody uses that anymore now.

I was quite excited when I got it. It’s small, simple and no nonsense music player. I didn’t need all the functionalities of a normal iPod MP3 player back then. If the thing could load my favorite music that I can listen to while being stuck in horrible Dubai traffic, I’m fine by it. No fancy functionalities, needed. It was back in 2007 – time when huge rush of people, cars, construction and diversion roads choked Dubai. We relocated here and without a car, I had to take the bus to work and back home. The little iPod shuffle helped me keep my sanity at that moment.

Then came new generation iPods that I bought. My old little buddy, the shuffle was pushed back into the dusty corners and left to be forgotten. Poor thing.

So while cleaning some stuffs in our room last summer, I found it and memories of my first iPod MP3 player flooded back to me. I don’t use it anymore so I could give it away but who would want it? I could never throw it either, especially if it’s still working. What do I do with the iPod shuffle then?

My daughter came into the room asking me to read her favorite book for the 3rd time that day. I was cleaning with dust sticking to my clothes. If I get near her, she’ll sneeze. And I know once I lie down with her with the book, cleaning would never be finished again. But she wants to hear a story!

*cue light bulb moment*

I picked up the iPod shuffle, plugged it in my computer and transferred the audio books I had. I had quite the collection of audio books for kids from my brother as a gift on my daughter’s first birthday. The short stories even included the one she likes so much, “Rainbow Fish”.

She was clueless as to what I was doing but I promised her, she’ll be happy when mommy’s done with the task.

I gave the iPod shuffle to her, taught her how to use it (it’s so simple even 5 year olds can operate it!), place the earphones on her ear and voila! She was lying down, looking at the book and listening to the audio version of the story! It kept her entertained for sometime until I was finished cleaning. So glad I didn’t throw or gave the thing away!

Now, whenever we take a long haul travel, the little iPod shuffle comes with us. Listening to a story is so much better than watching in-flight movies, non-stop. Of course, she would prefer me to read to her but when I am not around, the iPod shuffle takes care of the job.

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