Apple issues iPod shuffle Reset Utility, Final Cut Express update

iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0

iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0 (2.1MB or 1.3MB for Windows) restores First Generation iPod shuffles by completely erasing all music and data on the players and then reinstalling software version 1.1.4.

The update is designed to work only with First Generation 512MB and 1GB iPod shuffle. Any other iPod, including Second Generation iPod shuffle is not supported, Apple said.

iPod shuffle owners should apply update if they are experiencing an issue where pressing the Play button causes amber and green LEDs to flash for a few seconds but does not activate music playback or allow synching with iTunes.

iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0 will also address an issue where the player will appear in My Computer as a “Removable Disk” on a Windows PC but will not mount correctly.

Similarly, it will also rectify issues on Macs where the player will only be recognized in Apple System Profiler under Hardware -> USB and will not appear or mount in the Finder.

"When attempting to restore, the unit may not be recognized at all. However, if it is recognized, the restore may fail with an error dialog 'Firmware update failure. Disk write error' or another error," Apple said. "It may take 3 restore attempts before the error appears."

The company also noted that it may take several minutes for the iPod shuffle to be recognized.??More detailed information on the iPod shuffle Reset Utility 1.0 is compiled in this Apple knowledge base article.

Final Cut Express 3.5.1

On Wednesday evening, Apple also issued a minor update for Final Cut Express over its Software Update mechanism.

According to a scant release note, Final Cut Express 3.5.1 "addresses compatibility on specific hardware."

The 14.5MB update has since been posted to Apple's support site.