So it begins: Klipsch, Scosche unveil VoiceOver-compatible iPod shuffle earbuds
By Darren Murph 
posted March 12th 2009 9:52AM
posted March 12th 2009 9:52AM
Oxnard, CA., – March 12, 2009 – Scosche Industries (www.scosche.com), an award-winning innovator of mobile electronics and iPod accessories, today announced that it is developing breakthrough earphones with integrated controls for the new third generation iPod shuffle with Apple's new VoiceOver feature. The new IDR (Increased Dynamic Range) noise isolating earphones will give users the ability to play, pause, adjust volume, skip tracks, navigate playlists and hear the name of the song and artist with the press of a button.
"We are delighted to support the exciting new VoiceOver technology in the 4GB iPod shuffle," said Kas Alves, executive vice president of Scosche Industries. "Scosche's focus on innovation means we're ideally placed to develop new and exciting products like the IDR earphones"
Scosche is currently developing three earphone models- IDR350M, IDR450M and IDR650M noise isolating earphones that feature an integrated control surface. Users can control play, pause, adjust volume, skip tracks, navigate playlists and hear the name of the song and artist with the third generation iPod shuffle. A miniature microphone built into the back of the control surface allows users to record voice memos on the latest iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod classic 120GB. The IDR (Increased Dynamic Range) series earphones are designed to give users an enhanced listening experience with brilliant highs, silky smooth mids and powerful bass. The headphones are expected to be available this Spring and range in price from $49.99 to $99.99.
Scosche is also developing an inline control adapter kit that allows consumers to use any standard set of headphones and enjoy all of the advanced features of the third generation iPod shuffle. The inline control also allows users to plug their shuffle into any vehicles auxiliary input and maintain full control of the iPod.
The new third generation iPod shuffle with the VoiceOver feature can speak song titles, artists and playlist names. When you want to know the name of the song or artist playing, simply press a button on the conveniently located headphone controls and iPod shuffle tells you the song and artist name. iPod shuffle can even announce status information, such as battery life.
About Scosche Industries
Scosche Industries, founded in 1980 by Roger and Scotia Alves, is a leading manufacturer of high quality car audio installation accessories and products. Scosche's diverse product line includes mobile electronic accessories, iPod integration, iPod accessories, and universal navigation products. The publisher of the Auto Sound Encyclopedia, Scosche Industries manufactures and markets four distinct lines of product. These brands include Scosche®, REALM®, EFX®, and Accumat® . With a dealer network of over 2,000, numerous O.E.M. products, and 58 patents, Scosche Industries is a proven leader in the automotive aftermarket and home accessory business. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com
I gotta say. I really am a fan of having the microphone, and music controls for my iPhone on my earbuds. I use it CONSTANTLY.
It's not a bad idea at all. But the lack of an OLED display is shitty.
But... but... the Apple Haters told me that Apple was permanently locking me into proprietary headphones. Surely, this can't be true. The Apple Haters get their information directly from God, eh, Bill Gates.
Apple has everyone of you losers and accessories manufactures by the Mc.Nuggets!
AHAHAAHAH...
Next they will make the iPod shuffle with iPod connector headphones and everyone will have to adapt... and the blogs will say "BEST IDEA YET"
AHAHAHAH!!!!!
"But... but... the Apple Haters told me that Apple was permanently locking me into... . "
These are proprietary headphones you twit!
You cant use your existing ones, you have to pony up 50+ dollars for new ones if you dont want the stock Apple buds, on top of the price for the damn player.
Without them, you CANT CONTROL THE BLASTED THING!
Even Apple lovers were pissed off with the dick move Apple made, myself included. Who the hell wants to buy a shuffle if you can only use it with the special headphones or adapter you're going to have to pay 20 - 30 bucks for? This is supposed to be the least gimmicky of all the iPods, for the person who wants a bit of music on the go. Now I have to remember an adapter and special headphones? Why bother? Spend another 40 bucks and buy a Nano.
@brian i don't think you understand...these headphones don't need an adapter, and you don't need to buy them...the shuffle will work with it's included headphones OR you can buy the adapter and use your current headphones OR you can buy 3rd party compatible headphones such as the ones in this post
though i do agree with you on the nano thing, that's really what makes this shuffle ridiculous - the fact that after the accessories, you could have just had a nano
brian. you are bit thick aren't you.
It's supposed to the the "simple" cheap iPod...with all this you might as well get a Nano.
Making my Sennheiser sports cable longer with that dongle is also not an option. I'll stick with the 2nd Gen.
Damn you Klipsch, why can't you get off your ass and update your PC speaker line (ProMedia Ultra 7.1 anyone?) instead of catering to people who don't care what their music sounds like anyway?
I think they just wanted to join in the "FIRST!!" fun..
obviously apple got to talk to those vendors beforehand and they all agreed. all i can say is that only apple can push such a design and still get wide support. now tht shuts some of ppl up!
It doesn't stop it from sucking anymore though. Why should I have to buy specialist headphones to use what is arguably meant to be the simplest of simple mp3 players.
You mean Apple was able to get third parties to agree to support a product that would mean they got to fleece you for ANOTHER set of earbuds even if you already owned a perfectly adequate pair AS well as the useless Apple ones? How on EARTH did they get people to support that?! You'd think the third parties were trying to make money or something!
O THANK GOD. I knew my Apple overlords would take good care of me. For a minute there I almost had the slightest bit of self-generated thought.
I don't want stupid OLED display that make NO SENSE in a shuffle. Have I to see display under the sun when I'm running and to read small small letters? NO THANKS. I adore this new shuffle and I'll buy one. For people who runs this is the top. Finally I can take shuffle and put in my pocket and no leave shuffle outside on my wears (with the risk of hurts in case of fall).
Are your pockets made by Tiny Tim or something? Because it really isn't that much smaller than the last one.
no but the problem is that the 2g has buttons and so it was important to clip on your wear (with the risk of fall) and if you put 2g in a pocket you have to scroll your music putting your hand in the pocket etc...
With iPod shuffle 3G you can now leave it in a pocket (closed) and all you have to do is change music trough cable.
(sorry for my english, I'm european)
OK, I can see your point.
Fair enough.
@rogerdodger
In some respects I have the same issue with an "old" 5g iPod that I keep in an internal, zipped, pocket of my hiking jacket. Having the controls on the headphones would be a boon. Given this I am prepared to give Apple some slack on this issue as long as they are going to continue with support for these headphone controls on all new models of iPod.
Still, I'm less convinced that a display is a bad idea. With the original iPod Shuffle and its low capacity I'd have argued until I was blue in the face that it didn't need a display. However, not that the capacity is about the same as the old iPod Mini and that it now supports "complex" features like playlists, I'm thinking that a display is necessary. I have no doubt that the voice system works but it sounds like a lot of hassle for something that should be quick and easy.
about the voice over I think the same Kelmon.
Blindness or people who love playlist will be ok with voice over but, to me, it's a sort of waste of time ---> aka: I already know what I'm listen to :) Anyway I think I'll buy one of these :)
@ Kelmon
I don't think a lot of people realise this, but all the current gen iPods support the earbuds with the inline remotes.
Oh dear...
The user interface reminds me of the one on the scroll wheel macbook Pro Apple released awhile back.
>_>,
A set of over-the-head Koss KCS75s with Voice Over would be sweet.
Surprise, surprise, people ready to bitch at Apple, but if you want to upgrade, do so, if you don't then you don't care for sound quality and get a swishy music player. Simple. If you don't want one, don't buy it. Engadget commenters seem to forget this a lot. 99% of the stuff posted here I don't want, so I don't comment on it, let alone buy it.
Made for iPod guarantees compatible accessories within days of release.
But why should I have to buy NEW accessories every time Apple releases a product? If that's going to be the case, they should practice truth-in-pricing and just tell you what you'll have to spend overall to enjoy their new device.
This is ridonkulous. Who the hell wants to spend $180 for this thing (device + Klipsch's coming buds)? There are some great ideas here. I really like having controls away from the device. It seems like a great thing for running/exercising. But at least let me hit play and rock the volume on the device as well! And I like the VoiceOver functionality vis-a-vis playlist control, but it doesn't overcome, for me, the elevated cost and reduced functionality of the overall device. I really am having trouble understanding this product release as anything more than an egotistical move by Apple to con gullible consumers into feeding their coffers once again. Ugh.
The apologists come out of the woodwork to say these promised future earbuds that cost about as much as the player itself make it okay to require special earbuds.
The current Nano and Touch also work with these earbuds, they just don't require them. So they can be used with cheap headphones, big headphones or even just plug them into the aux in jack on your car stereo. The new shuffle can't do any of these things.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
excuse me...sorry...
HAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
AHAHAH!! EHEHEH!! TEE HEE!!
Oh. What is everyone laughing at?
Again and again, I won't pay extra just to be able to use the player. Thank you very much. It has a very appropriate size. They can take it and shove it.
Wow, all the people pissing and moaning about headphones now have options...that was fast, what it took a DAY...
The genius of Apple...get accessory suppliers on board early so you can use new products immediately...not rocket science but others can't seem to do this...gee
I've wanted one for my Touch but i don't like the iPod headphones. A question all of these will be compatible with say the iPod touch 2G right?? and any other ones that are soon to come out.
This is just crazy
My years-old iAudio M3 has in-line controls AND a screen on the controls AND doesn't require some special cable for the headphones. Not to mention the best sound quality around. Still works, too.
I can't believe in a matter of 2 years Apple has gone from a humble pie to an arrogant prick. And guess who sanction their attitude?
Mic-in-the-earphone thing isn't new at all, but it has never been properly explored. Apple, this is not an innovation, this is closer to a monopoly. Forcing product onto your loyal fanbois is not a good move at all.
"Scosche Industries Announces Earphones With Increased Dynamic Range Designed For New iPod shuffle" but NO specs on what the dynamic range actually IS??
It'd be better if apple just included the adaptor in the package, along with stock ipod earphones (you know.. standardising their parts so it'd be cheaper).. but then they can't charge you for the adaptor.. *rolls eyes*
Does anyone know if the remote earphones for the iPhone or nano (forgot which) work with this? Accessory makers would probably have more incentive to make adaptors/'phones if they knew it would work with more than just the shuffle..
Klipsch's headphones are good sounding, so I don't know why someone would get one of these. The fact that most iPods offer average sound quality at best is no secret, but the shuffles sound just TERRIBLE; it's not that bad since it's meant to be used on the go so using mid-range buds with these doesn't seem reasonable. Well, at least they actually are making them.
$80 for Shuffle
$30 for adapter OR $50+ for new phones
...$110+ to bow at Apple's altar?
How about that original $80 for iRiver or Sansa, WITH a display, WITH video , WITH your own headphones and WITHOUT iTunes. SOLD!
The voice-over Shuffle is really ideal for the car, because you don't have to look at it while driving. I hope someone picks up on this and makes a compatible car stereo adapter.