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 March 15th 2009 9:08PM
nope, apple can take their new product and stuff it....totally lame.
lol, wait for them to bring this into there next-gen ipod nanos etc.
Apple think theyve bottle necked the market (which they probably have, 9/10 people at the gym are using an ipod) so there exploiting it.
All i can say is thank god for Microsoft, if apple ever bottle necked the PC market we'd need Apple-Verified CD / DVD / USB / Mice / Keyboards / Monitors.
I didn't read the whole article (time constrained), but are there any plans of including this "awesome feature" on the following generation of nano and regular ipods ?
If so, my current iPod will be the last one for sure.
If anyone buys this crap they deserve to have to pay extra for non-apple headphones.
This is idiotic
It's apparent that there are no Apple employees that run or attempt to workout with the ear bud headphones. Every three steps you are having to stick those damn things back in. I'm going to hit my Ipod Touch with a hammer to remind it who is in charge.
"will require Apple-licensed authentication chip..." WOW - There's a shocker! I mean, Apple needing authentication? Being strict? Clamping down on the product and its abillity? I am shocked, SHOCKED I SAY!
apple sucks ass.......
this maneuver solidified my decision to purchase a zune 120gb instead of the comparable apple model.
IPOD SOUNDS AWFUL: I was gifted a Shuffle. When it dies I'm getting a Cowon. Check out that BBE feature, which makes it sound a LOT better.
I have an idea... What if one takes an headphone splitter, plugs it in to the new shuffle and then plugs Apple headphones in to one hole and some other headphones to other hole. That way you could listen to music from the shuffle with another headphones, but control it with Apple ones... You could even cut the earbuds off and just leave the controls to Apple headset.
Sounds kinda stupid and unpractical but basically that's all we can have right now, innit?
Cripes, Apple is taking Sony's old "look compatible, but don't be" playbook, and mixing it with some of Microsoft's old "Be an asshole" playbook to create one of the most nice looking, but consumer unfriendly companies ever.
This is a shuffle-killer for me. I already have the new apple headphones, but can't wear them to go running. The buttons on the cord wick sweat when touching the body, and start sending random events. I was able to switch to older non-apple headphones to solve this issue, but this will not be possible now. NICE GOING APPLE!
I realize the shuffle and ipod is generally popular for music and media devices but if they keep this crap up how can they expect that to continue? They're going to have to release some kind of an adapter and doesn't cost a fortune.
For a company like Apple that try's to looks so modern and "For the People" they sure love to act like Natzies...
Apple is just taking a page out of the Microsoft (or Sony) play book here, market place dominance through overbearing business practices
Bought one on Friday...LOVE it!!! Seriously, the convenience of controls on the cord is outstanding! The thing ways next to nothing and clips firmly to just about anything.
I have never hated the base iPod headphones, I could see this would be an issue for others that like their own headphones, however, you have to remember this is the entry level iPod. If you need your $400 headphones for music to sound good you aren't likely in the market for the $79 iPod either so I don't see it as a big deal for others.
Give it some time and there will be dozens of aftermarket headphones for use. After seeing how convenient it is to use I imagine the entire iPod lineup will transition to these headphones very soon making it even more compelling for aftermarket producers to make the switch.
Like it or not Apple owns the music space right now...if you are an accessory maker you can jump on the bus or miss out on piles of revenue, your choice.
DAMN YOU APPLE
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Disregarding the ridiculousness of the royalties etc, I'm peeved about the now increased expense of losing one or the other! Seriously, it was a pain, but still manageable, when I lost my headphones OR Shuffle, but now it renders the other completely useless when one is lost!
On another note, it's a real shame Apple is leaving the 'low end' market all-together, and for that matter the 'convenience' market--one could argue that the previous-gen shuffles could be considered convenience items when it came to their size, shape and integration of controls; now that's all out the window....
The easiest way to make this stop is for people to stop buying Apple products. If you look at their revenue statements it's clear way too many people are willing to go along with this nonsense, so why SHOULDN'T they continue to push the proprietary hardware/software envelope?
I know this is a pipe dream, but nothing will speak louder than your $$, or make Apple stop pulling this BS faster...
I wasn't able to read the 400+ comments on this subject, but I have a "basic" solution for a big problem: Cut the original headphones from apple, install a P2 stereo jack in the cable, so you can use whatever earthings you like.
i bought this junk, because i could not believe it!, still I am excited to recieve it, I"ll write an review
damn, i just bought is a present for my gf. would have been the perfect player for her traintravels, she doesn't need a screen and the size is just about wright. *sigh*
I really dont think this matters much. the only people buying apple products are the fanbois. if they arent official apple headphones, then FTW
wow, that really blows... to be honest, i would've preferred they just improved the 2nd gen shuffle so it isn't so vulnerable to sweat/moisture. this new shuffle looks pretty cool though being so small, but i just can't come to terms with the things they're doing to capitalize on headphone compatibility.
And this is another reason why I don't buy apple products. CRAP.
Next, they'll be requiring you to pay them licensing fees to eat an apple.
Yet another reason to not buy apple products. Hardware hackers will just de-solder the buds and attach the wires to good headphones…or solder the wires onto a 3.5mm jack and plug in whatever headphones you want. Or better yet...just buy a better ipod.
I'm a big, but not blind, fan of Apple. And I gotta say, this is a mistake, and I'd be surprised if the design didn't change to be more "headphone open" in the next gen revision.
simple ban on the product will do..
the question is, can you resist? :)
I'm not a big fan of the standard iPod earbuds because they are uncomfortable however, there is a way to use the iPod earbuds and have a comfortable fit. I should begin by saying that I'm not an audiophile however I enjoy my comfort. I found a company called Earsound Customs at www.earsound.com that makes an iPod attachment. The iPod earbuds fit snugly onto the attachments which then fit comfortably in your ears. They fit comfortably because they are made from impressions of your ears. There is nothing more comfortable then something made custom for you. I don't care how many tips come with a product, it's not even close to the comfort of a custom product. An unintended benefit is that my iPod attachments fit onto my cell phone's hands free device so I can listen to my calls in comfort as well. I hope this helps!
Just received mine this morning. LOVE IT. Ingenious.
Will the new shuffle headphones work with the iphone? That would be cool.
This article is not really accurate. The following is more accurate:
http://www.derekunderwood.com/general-computer/new-ipod-does-not-have-new-drm-technology/
Sh!t! just bought one and the headphones have broken already. The ipods useless now1
Was excited about the size of this device - and thinking about buying several of them - and exercise device, a travel device, etc. I'm lucky that I discovered this issue prior to purchase. With the headphone issue - wouldn't touch it if it was free. I use some in the ear headphones from Shure that I absolutely love and wouldn't trade for anything. Would rather switch to Zune - after owning 5 ipods... that get stuck with the crappy apple junk earphones.
Looks like Apple does it to themselves again - just can't see the long run implications of trying to lock everyone out ... thought the lessof of the Mac versus PC would at least give them a glimmer of who the real customer is ---- we like to use what we use from where we can get it... Lock my favorit gadget out and I'll switch..