I've got a 1GB shuffle and it does exactly what it says on the tip - play music. Personally I find it too small, the controls too fiddly and the capacity too small (and an extra gig doesn't change my feelings there) but the shuffle is the cheapest way onto the iPod ownership ladder.

Apple's Wednesday announcement of new iPods appear to have shaken some otherwise smart people. Perhaps its the forest-for-the-trees analogy: they can't tear their eyes away from the shiny iPod in the hand towards the boxes that will be sitting on the shelves during the holiday season.

Don't get me wrong, the iPod shuffle is excellent for listening to while doing yard work and other tasks when you really shouldn't be meddling with ratings. But have you ever lost a shuffle in your car? Good luck finding it.

Music players don't get much more simple and straightforward than the iPod Shuffle. The entry-level Apple player wins points for its ultratiny size and jogging-friendly clip-on design. But even if you can live without a screen, the Shuffle's included charger is something of a drawback. While it'd be a stretch to call the adapter "large" or "bulky," it's annoying to tote the charging pad (and its attached 36-inch USB cable) whenever you take the Shuffle on a trip--doubly so when you remember that the original Shuffle's built-in USB plug made that model a truly plug-and-play affair. For anybody who wants to leave the Shuffle charger at home, there's at least one worthwhile alternative: the Monster iSlimCharger for iPod Shuffle.

At 1.6x1x0.4 inches and 0.6 ounce, the iPod Shuffle is one minuscule music player. In fact, it's so inconspicuous that we have trouble keeping track of it--if you're constantly misplacing your keys, this player probably isn't your best option. If you just can't help yourself, go for one of the brighter color options. The pink, orange, green, and blue models will probably be easier to spot on a cluttered desk than the muted silver one is. That said, the integrated belt clip on the back of the Shuffle helps keep the player within easy reaching distance. Some users have complained that the clip isn't very durable, but it seemed fairly sturdy during our testing.

The XtremeMac Audio Kit aims to be your one-stop solution to enjoying your iPod Shuffle at home or in the car.

The iPod Shuffle was made to plug directly into a computer's USB port, but that isn't feasible for all setups. Since Apple doesn't include a dock with the Shuffle, it'll happily help out by selling you one for 29 bucks. The company's Shuffle Dock has a simple, spartan appearance, holding your Shuffle upright while you transfer songs or power it up. It also has a 45-inch cord and a grippy surface on the bottom so that it won't move around.

The DLO Jam Jacket ($29.99) is a simple and attractive way to protect your iPod Shuffle, and it comes in a three-pack of clear, lime green, and violet cases so that you can change your player's look in seconds. We like that it's made of grippy stretchable rubber and has a pebbled surface on the sides so that your Shuffle will never slip out of your hand. The Jam Jacket also comes with a cap cover (which works with either the basic or lanyard cap) that's tethered to the main case so that it won't get lost. Unlike some cases, the Jam Jacket doesn't cover the control dial, so it provides less protection from the elements than others.

Of the three iPod Shuffle armbands we've seen, we like DLO's Action Jacket ($24.99) the best. It's compact and lightweight, like the Shuffle itself, and holds your player against your bicep with an elastic band. The Shuffle sits inside a protective neoprene case, which attaches to the armband with a clip. Clear plastic over the Shuffle's dial lets you access the controls, while still offering full sweat protection for the device. The case and clip are detachable so that you can easily clip them to a belt or bag, if you prefer.

All you need are two batteries and Apple's iPod Shuffle Battery Pack to add a whopping 20 hours of juice to your iPod Shuffle.