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G3 iMac and eMac incompatible with iPod shuffle

Additional equipment needed to charge MP3 player

Apple's new iPod shuffle is incompatible with G3 iMacs and eMacs, Macworld has learned.

This has left some readers disappointed in the product, as they were not made aware of this until after they had purchased the product.

Apple representatives on the Apple Store are aware the shuffle requires a Mac running Mac OS X 10.2.8 and a USB port, but the situation as regards older G3's is harder to ascertain.

Annotation number four of Apple's dedicated iPod shuffle page for example reports: "Some computers require either the optional iPod shuffle Dock or a USB cable extender (sold separately)," but doesn't clarify which Macs may need such an accessory.

However, a note on Apple's support website explains: "Because of its design, iPod shuffle cannot be connected to the USB ports on the side of iMac G3 and eMac computers – it will not fit. You can connect iPod shuffle to your keyboard's USB ports if your computer has Mac OS X 10.3.6 or later, however, iPod shuffle will not charge due to the keyboard's low-power USB ports.

”To charge iPod shuffle on an iMac G3 or eMac computer, you need an optional accessory to reach the port, such as the iPod shuffle Dock or a third-party USB extension cable, both of which must connect to a high-power USB port to charge." A USB hub should also serve the purpose.

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