Sigh, it looks like Apple's habit of squeezing iPod accessory manufacturers for license fees has now extended to freaking
headphones --
iLounge is reporting that the new iPod shuffle can only be controlled by headphones with a special hardware authentication chip. That means that third parties will have to pay Apple for the privilege of making shuffle-compatible accessories, and you can bet they'll just pass that cost right on to consumers -- we wouldn't expect any cheap headphone adapters or inexpensive replacement headphones for the littlest iPod.
iLounge calls this a "nightmare scenario" for iPod fans, and we're inclined to agree -- it's one thing for Apple to require the Made For iPod certification for accessories that interface with the dock connector, but trying to lock down headphones is a sad new low, and it makes the lack of physical controls on the shuffle seem even more ridiculous. Anyone still planning on buying this thing?
posted Mar 15th 2009 9:08PM
wow ipod sucks, archos ftw.
what happens when your headphones stop working? YOUR SHUFFLE IS DEAD
hahahaha I agree
Thou i was lookin into an Archos and changed my mind, for the time being, I must laugh at apple and all the whores goin to buy this piece of shit. I can see where the future is going for Apple if they keep this shit up.
Archos, Zune, Cowon For The Win!!!
Creative, you pissed me off one to many times
I've gotta say I really love the new shuffle combo'd with the new (somewhat pricey) in hear head phones from apple. Brightens my day a bit when I use them. Its so strange to see so many haters posting on this little shuffle that they have no intention buying.
wow. another reason not to buy a shuffle ipod. stick with the nano.
yew used the wrong 2 won two many times.
"I can see where the future is going for Apple if they keep this shit up. "
... Epic profit? Because they've been *such* an open company up until this point, clearly.
Unfortunately (because this is pretty scummy that they'd even consider this crappy scheme), nobody is going to care about paying a few bucks more for headphones. In fact, most of the folks in Apple's consumer base don't even bother with new headphones. Come to think of it, I bet the aspect of the new shuffle that will be losing them more sales is the dumbass morse-code method of changing tracks.
As if that useless imitation of a music player wasn't ridiculous enough, now this! Apple SUCKS big time!
This is just flippin' stupid now! first there were no buttons..... I think this will be a problem when wearing a jacket! how the hell are you going to change track then? It was already going to cost for an adapter when the crappy apple headphones break now you need apple authorized 3rd party stuff? its just a Joke, think they have taken it too far with this one!
I would not even want one if they where giving them away!
an mp3 player without a screem, then a smartphone with no copy-n-paste, now a gadget with no input interface...
looking at AJC here and another 3 other people i saw using the new shuffle today makes me think Apple will win this..
Stupidity & Insanity would live to see another day...
:'-(
Sean @ Mar 15th 2009 9:18PM
what happens when your headphones stop working? YOUR SHUFFLE IS DEAD
____________________________________________________________________________________
actually its bricked
@kangbp.nyc
an mp3 player without a screem, then a smartphone with no copy-n-paste, now a gadget with no input interface...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
an mp3 player without a screen you mean?
a smartphone with no copy and paste...iPhone software 3.0 is expected to have cut and paste....
a gadget with no input interface? Wait are you talking about the buttons on the headphones? also there is a switch on the actual shuffle to turn it on/repeat/shuffle.
DISCLAIMER!!!
I in no way shape or form would buy the shuffle unless apple gave it to me and even then, I'd sell the shuffle and keep the nice apple stickers that come with it. :P
@ KezMondo
Classic!
@Sean
When that happens, the smart people will go and buy an adaptor and use their own headphones instead of earbuds w/ inline controls..
And the *really* smart people would've gotten a nano and avoided all this crap :P
Authentication chip? Is it more tastier that Sour Cream & Onion Chip? Does it have more cholestrol than Cheddar Chip?
Wow, okay so other 3rd party headphones come out with the built in controls, then they end up not working properly... who's fault is that? Apple's, so they have to oversee the 3rd party controls to make sure they work properly since they stupidly decided to put them there. I don't think the controls on the headphones are bad because they fit me great and don't sound horrible, especially when working out. But I agree for others that hate the fit and quality that it's a bad idea. So they pretty much set themselves up for this mess. I will enjoy my shuffle but I think it's dumb to do this for people who hate the headphones, which, on the internet seems to be a lot.
I hope Nike makes some in black.
Darn, i guess no more imitation iPhonie earphones for $3 at DealExtreme
haha, exactly what i was thinking
off topic:
im enjoying my archos xs202 for years now and think the ease of use and sound quality havent been reached from any other player/brand.
and as long as there are no music phones with proper sound i think my next one will be from archos (maybe cowon) again.
on topic:
the new shuffle sucks, the old one was much better, although it also was an overpriced piece of metal.
SEAN
The IPod shuffle starts playing music AS SOON AS IT IS TURNED ON.
In fairness, you can use any headphones with it you want, but, you have no access to the track forward/reverse and volume.
Yes, locking down headphones does suck balls.
The shuffle is going to sell anyway. Its not about the lack of technology and innovation - its about the pop culture purchasing it. Shuffles sold in excess of 15 million units last year. I never thought they'd sell like that.
That's O.K. Anyone that has a half-way decent job can afford to buy some nice, new headphones. Consider these minor setbacks as proudly wearing the badge of the elite Apple user. Eventually loyal Apple users will have to have authentication chips transplanted in them. We can't have any Apple haters carrying around advanced Apple products.
i had a archos back on i think their 2nd generation with video recording that was great
then i got a cowon a2 wich was even better
i still use that for video
but i gota zune 80 for music simply because apple does crazy shit like this and people buy into it
you damn sheep
i feel sorry for jason getting all these reply emails.
What apple failed to realize is that, consumers have a choice and will chose cheaper, more capable, less restrictive, and feature packed PMPs. Time to abandon ship on the whole iPOD lineup and Welcome the ________ (Zune, Creative, Archos, etc).
Wait a second. Don't the included earphones have some remote control or something? that's probably the chip it needs.
@BarCODE
Your statement is quite far from reality. Apple HAS been dominating the PMP category. With all the hindrance you mention and still trumping the competition when it comes to sales numbers. I do think that this licensing scheme is beyond ridiculous and i sure as hell hope they wouldn't implement this in all their updated iPods coming next round.
Where do these ideas even come from? "Authentication chip" WTF? Apple always has to take something cool they develop and do anything they can to prevent others from improving on it or using it for anything else and creating all sorts of restrictions. It is all about what Apple decides to bless us with. It is getting really old.
""what happens when your headphones stop working? YOUR SHUFFLE IS DEAD""
or you can just get a new set of headphones
Why didn't they put the controls on an "apple chipped" extension cord, that you could plug any 3.5mm headphones into?
@iphonerulez: So wait, all I have to do to be an elite Apple user is pay $120 for a UI-deprived MP3 player and headphones that have to meet a hardware requirement? What about all of those people that paid over $2000 for their new MacBook Pros? They're in the same class too, right? And those people that bought 32Gb iPod Touches (which I have)?
Anyway, back on topic, there was no "still planning on buying this thing?" for me. If this new move doesn't scream product abandonment, I don't know what else will.
This is not a good look for apple. FAIL
I still cannot see the reason for buying a newer MP3 player. I have an (old old old old old) Ipod mini 2nd generation and I use it everyday. 8GB of music **is enough**, you'll never listen for more than that in A WEEK.
I think it is time to "grow up" and stop using music as a collectable. Music is for listening and not to brag "my media player has 1*10^123 Terabytes of storage, with 1*10^1023! musics stored!"
Flame me if you want, but the design apple went with NEEDS a chip somewhere in the remote. Otherwise, there would be like 7 wires going up the earphones if all the switches were directly routed to the ipod, requiring instrument grade machining just to make the tip of the of the 1/4" plug. It quite easy to see that the remote interface talk via USB to the iPod. So obviously, there is some kind of encoding that gets done. The real question is, will apple actually make 3rd party companies pay for the encoding or if they put some kind of identification device in there. Further proving that the people suggesting this are idiots, they call it DRM. Where is the freakin' media in a switch talking to a PMP !?!
Knowing apple and their money sucking ways, they probably did put some kind of identification system. But we might as well and see if they in fact make that info available to the public orif they in fact have an ID system as, at the moment, there is no proof of it.
Think before you post, engadget, no ? Obviously there is a chip in the remote, there would be too many wires otherwise, not to mention additional chips in the iPod to read it.
PS, the shuffle design is horrid and I'm getting quite pissed off by apple's ways.
-not an apple fan, simply a lucid reader.
@Nipponese
What I am saying, is that it's still a free market. People don't take too kindly to this DRM-esq type of controls. The PMP market is flooded, the devices are near comodoty status. With other alternatives, that have more features, fewer restrictions, for less money; there's little reason to buy an iPOD. Especially after they pull a stunt like this one.
Just because it's a near-monopoly, doesn't mean you have to take part in keeping it alive. Make a choice for something different, something open, something other than iPOD. Put the squeeze on this over ripened Apple; it's time for it to rot, buy a Zune or Creative PMP.
ya archos!
Short answer? No. Long answer? NOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Seriously though, Apple needs to see that this is completely absurd. I wonder if their sales are low enough/the internet complains enough, they'll get the picture.
Gonna have to go with you here. "Fuck no" is the only acceptable answer to this bullshit.
How did people not see this coming? I called it the second the shuffle was released. And I'm also going to predict that they're going to try this on any new Apple headphone/earphone requiring product in the future, because it locks in money for Apple on the peripheral accessories level. If people buy up the Shuffle despite this factor, plan on seeing it on the Iphone 4G/next model Iphone and all the new Ipods coming up later on.
They can't slam you for every part you want to buy and stick into or onto the Mac anymore....that was something that turned people off Apple from the get go, but that has made Apple seem 'friendlier' lately because they abandoned the practice somewhat for proprietary everything. They're trying to quietly re-introduce the practice with peripherals and accessories. Not to say that you CAN'T use 3rd party stuff, but Apple wants to make sure that they make money off of any and everything made for Apple products. I suppose it's not unreasonable by any means, but it just doesn't paint a good picture for the company. And people who just want a small mp3 player who get the shuffle are going to be disappointed and angry when their included headphones break and they try to pick up a replacement for it anywhere else but an Apple Store (or try to pick up anything for less that 30 or 40 from Best Buy, etc.).
i agree... and long explanation for both those answers HELLLL F'IN NOOOOOOO !!!
Sadly Apple clients are more and more miss and mister everybody, your aunt and uncle. They dont hang out on engadget and have no idea what they are buying. They just want a part of the trend cake.
Pro users are more and more leaving the Apple ship. Inferior macbook screen quality, no more firewire unless you pay 2000$, color accuracy problems in uncompressed quicktimes, glossy only screens, expensive mac pro with cheap videocard (60$ on newegg, come on), and the list go on...
I still enjoy my old Ipod 60gb but my main workstation is now a i7 pc.
Waaaaaa. If you don't like it. Don't buy it. Its as simple as that. But I'm sure all the Fat M$ Zune fans here will all cry foul. If you don't identify with Apple and their fit crew... then stick to your cheeseburgers folks.
@ Boards of Canada
You're right. People that don't know / don't care are just going to buy it and not give a shit. They probably won't even find out until they lose their pair of earbuds at which point they'll likely be pretty pissed.
Is it getting more difficult for fanboys to come up with defenses (read: excuses) for this stuff? Headphone licensing and the weak assed Mac Mini "revamp" in the same month?
I'd like to hear the company defense on this. I'm thinking it begins and ends with "Well, we're dicks. What did you expect?"
Terrible, just terrible.
Yes, there is a lot of better options on the market for 4gb small mp3 players.
Skip the Ipod Shuffle and give a look to a SanDisk clip.
Apple is probably kidding, they would never force companies to pay them extra just after the big price of admission...
Maybe the FTC should stop riding Microsofts back and have a look at Apple. They aren't any better.
I just wanna be the first to say....
ROFL.
I second that. This is the biggest pile of fail in a while.
I third this
ROLFLMAO
auth chips > blu-ray | bags of hurt
apple is the bag of hurt
Send in the ROFLcopters, Jones. LOLrville is going to need this one. Their blades chopping elegantly at the air at 3.4 GHz is the only thing that can save them.
Anyone want some lmaonaise on thier sammiches?
it's just funny how earbuds for the shuffle will probably end up costing half or more of the shuffle's price.
god damnit apple
*duct tapes over apple logo on back of laptop*
I wish I hadn't just bought a MacBook a month ago :(
I was already pondering quite long whether I should buy an Apple laptop again, because I really don't like where Apple is going nowadays in terms of policy... the next gadget I buy won't have an Apple on it anymore, that's for sure.
Well you're quite the newb to apple products then, because they have been doing shit like this for time imemorial. The original fail of apple policy was their draconian software development policies, which is why there never were any good games or freely available software for the original mac OS. Proprietary and Closed are Apple's middle and last names.
Ever since OS X and the change to intel processors it has just been a case of style over substance and, *snicker*, playing catch-up with some basic ideas M$ knew since the 90's. There is literarlly no reason to purchase a mac, except for the style.
Like hell you think Oregon Trail wasn't a good game.
"Apple-licensed authentication chip"
it even SOUNDS like a joke
i'm expecting Apple to announce the Macbook Wheel any day now.
at least it sounds better than apple chips.
@peter
Actually that sounds really delicious right now.
Yeah, and it will cost you extra for the Apple keyboard to go with your Macbook Wheel... and you can't use 3rd party keyboards since they don't have the authentication chip!
can anyone say $teve Job$
@Sax25
$teve Job$.
Desperate much ?
....
......
i think someones looking to get slapped.
stevie better be back soon
this is just starting to get sad
just so you know, this was most likely in development long before Stevie went on vacation. It's not Tim's fault, its Stevie's
Yeah, I think the music companies poisoned him for pushing them into going DRM-free. Poor Steve.
BTW- this shuffle is, like every other weird newfangled Apple product, going to sell like crazy to teenagers and runners, in spite of all its faults. Why? Because those people aren't affected by nor do they care about its many faults. If it was $30 cheaper I'd go buy one now, and I HATED it when it came out. Ah, well... :P
This has nothing todo with the music industrie as they have no benefit from this action. The only party benefiting from it is Apple itself. The irony itself though, first selling music DRM free and then locking in the devices who actually you use.
But then I couldn´t care less, if you like to bend over and like to get bummed from behind by Apple, so be it. There are plenty of other, much better players out there which can use proper headsets without some chip. In the meantime I´ll keep passing on Apple till they produce something that isn´t a bag of hurt.
@JZ
Oh, God! I am so sorry! I had no idea that you were born without a sense of humor!
No matter, lets stick to solid facts from now on:
Fact #1: Nobody was saying this had anything "todo" with the music "industrie" (spell check much?).
Fact #2: It is true that Apple pushed the music industry to allow them to go DRM-free. In exchange, Apple gave them flexible pricing.
Fact #3: You need to work on your reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Also, not lecturing about thinks you know nothing about helps.
@Who?:
There was only one valid point there; the other two were just nitpicking his grammar.
This is Bull Roar
This seriously redefines proprietary.
Somehow I don't think 3.5mm headphone jack and "proprietary" should be in the same pair of headphones.
Hmm, anybody got any official comment on this?
I mean where's this magic chip supposed to get its power from?
The connector only has 4 pins - left out, right out, microphone and ground...
And do you see enough space anywhere on the set of bundled earbuds for an IC? I don't...
Completely agree... article is short of details
There's probably one more pin for the controls / power.
It might be something as simple as a chip resistor with a known value. GM used to use this as an anti-theft measure on their cars by embedding a resistor in the key.
OK, it appears there is a chip. Hmmm!
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/03/14/we-found-the-chip-in.html
I'd still say that I don't there's any way in hell this is a DRM / licencing issue. It is very interesting indeed though... DRM stops you playing content. This looks to me more like a way to solve a technical problem.
For example, it could be a way of multiplexing the three buttons and the microphone onto the one line while providing a future-proof way of allowing them to expand the functionality.
I'd be interested in trying a set of standard blackberry headphones on the shuffle. I bet that you could use the one button to stop / pause / forward / rewind the music but not to change the volume.
It shouldn't take any kind of guessing. These earbuds have existed for months, for use with the Nano and Touch.
Any non-crappy microphone requires power, which is applied as a DC offset to the line upon which microphone signal is sent back as AC. Probably the chip uses the same power as the microphone.
If its anything like the authentication chip in the iphone/ipod touch video cables, then its not a simple matter of just a resistor value, etc.
I opened up the ipod video cable and snooped the authentication traffic, basically it is serial data for the challenge/response. I guess in the shuffle they are re-using some headphone connections for this.
I think legally, in the EU, Apple has to provide the specification for the interface, otherwise people are entitled to reverse-engineer it for the purposes of integrating to third-party equipment (it is some EU software directive, can't remember the number).
But how to go about requesting this from Apple, for the shuffle and the Iphone/ipod, I have no idea.
this is why i bought a zune last year.
*high five*
There are three of us?
4
Well there'll be 4 after my birthday on tuesday
Make that four! (Or seven, if you include my three friends with Zunes)
ITS FUCKING TRUE!! Only 3 people I know have a Zune, which is funny, because that's what everyone says. I just use my PSP or DS (iPod app) for music
the only people i know with zunes have parrents that work at M$. and the only time ive seen someone on a bus with one was a bus to Redmond.
Laugh if you want, but I have six friends with Zunes in addition to my own. Yes, I have one and I have actually shared music wirelessly, though an email attachment still gets it done easier.
Because you knew next year Apple would restrict the 3rd party remote controls / headset?
I can't say I care if or if not Apple restrict the 3rd party headset marked. Both because I don't use a PMP nor ever will, and because it will give Apple a chance to be selective about the quality of headsets. And I can't say it is any worse than blocking me from watching hd content with my non-hdcp monitor. Neither a good thing.
But the only thing that works is by not buying the shuffle. Buy the nano instead.
What a bunch of bull. Apple is following the Sony path. Proprietary this, proprietary that. Damn.
Even Sony hasn't sunk THIS low
Have you owned a PS3? It's the most open thing you can buy nowadays...
@B3astofthe3ast
Except a pregnant woman maybe.
@BG: Where can I buy?
Incoming class-action lawsuit.
Why? you don't have to buy that ugly piece of shit.. you can also buy another brand which does have good sound.. Even though I think people who buy this crap anyway are already buying applecrap anyway, so for them it wouldn't be a problem..
Why not, people love lawsuits if they feel there is even a slim chance they could get money...have you not seen all the stupid lawsuits people file?
This is even worse then removing the FW port from the new MacBooks. Geez.. Apple is really starting to suck.