Scosche tapSTICK adds hard buttons, purpose to new iPod shuffle

We appreciate Apple's efforts to make the iPod shuffle into something that no one's ever done before, but seriously, the no-buttons approach is sort of, um, annoying. Thankfully, the good guys and gals over at Scosche are totally in agreement, and thus, they've taken the time to develop the remarkable tapSTICK. Put simply, this 3rd-gen iPod shuffle case protects one's player from the elements while adding hard buttons that simulate the commands on Apple's own VoiceOver-friendly earbuds. The result? An MP3 player that's not partial to lackluster white 'buds, not to mention one that you can actually control with relative ease. Too bad it'll cost you $29.99, but we suppose that's the going rate these days to extinguish frustration. Full release is after the break.

Scosche Announces the tapSTICK –protective case with controls for iPod shuffle (Gen 3)

tapSTICK is a "Made for iPod" product

Oxnard, CA – June 05, 2009 – Scosche Industries (www.scosche.com), an award-winning innovator of mobile electronics and iPod accessories, announces its new tapSTICK high impact polycarbonate case, which ads full control for the iPod shuffle (Gen 3). The "Made for iPod" tapSTICK allows shuffle users to control play, pause, adjust volume, skip tracks and navigate playlists using the shuffle's VoiceOver feature. The tapSTICK will be available in both white and black and ships with a 3 foot long audio cable ($14.99 value) for connecting it to most stereo systems.

"We knew many shuffle users, especially those who use the shuffle to workout, would want to use their own earphones and would need a convenient way to control their music," said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. "We also figured many of the same users would want a case to protect their new iPod from drops so we designed the tapSTICK to both offer protection and restore full functionality."

The tapSTICK is priced at $29.99 and will be available at retail locations around the world this summer. For additional information and to pre-order the tapSTICK now please visit www.scosche.com.

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

[naz @ Jun 6th 2009 2:46PM]

It took a lot longer then i though for something like this to come out for the shuffle

[OneLove @ Jun 6th 2009 4:00PM]

your comment has no meaning to the rest to the us. :)

[egress63 @ Jun 6th 2009 5:40PM]

So let me get this straight: I buy a 4gb shuffle for $80 and then spend another $30 to get buttons?

[3rdsun @ Jun 7th 2009 9:06PM]

the solution would be to stick it to Apple by boycotting the shuffle altogether

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 6th 2009 2:49PM]

You know Apples messed up an Ipod when someone has to come along and clean up their mistakes by adding BUTTONS to the thing...

[sa56 @ Jun 6th 2009 2:59PM]

you are sooooooooooo right!

[v3xx @ Jun 6th 2009 3:19PM]

it's worth the five minutes it takes to post on engadget to agree with that statement. the new shuffle should have had a volume rocker like the touch and a button similar to the touch's sleep button for play and pause.

[Miles @ Jun 6th 2009 3:26PM]

Think of the shuffle as a prototype for a much more polished buttonless mp3 player.
Rome wasn't built in a day after all.

[Fred @ Jun 6th 2009 3:39PM]

Rome wasn't built in a day, that's true, but they probably put roofs (rooves?) on the houses before they moved in, amiright?

[konshuss @ Jun 6th 2009 4:03PM]

I had a Koss DVD player that had the important buttons (eject, menu, play, ff, rw, etc) on the remote only. The remote was flimsy and broke, and I would've had to send away for another one just to use my DVD player. Needless to say the thing is in the trash now, and all because a few buttons couldn't have been slapped on the console.

Now having earbuds with the buttons isntead of the iPod isn't quite as annoying since they are physically tethered making it more difficult to lose, but it's the same basic idea people have been annoyed about since this crap happened with VCRs. Come on, Apple.

[superhobo @ Jun 6th 2009 4:18PM]

Only one path is arguably (but not always) better than buttons, and that's touchscreen.

And...yeah, you know the rest.

This model fails.

[whowhatme @ Jun 6th 2009 7:10PM]

this obsession with removing buttons can only lead to one logical end.

apple introduces revolutionary new laptop with no keyboard
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

[Eh? @ Jun 8th 2009 11:55AM]

OMG that was priceless!

[Phoenix @ Jun 6th 2009 2:49PM]

What's the point? if you're sticking something like this over it, just buy a normal Mp3 player for a LOT less.

[naz @ Jun 6th 2009 3:10PM]

and it still doesnt have a screen

[Syliss @ Jun 6th 2009 2:53PM]

I see no point in this, just get a refurb last gen shuffle. yeah not as much space, but really? The company does at least sell an add-on for any headphones that doesnt look like crap (http://scosche.com/products/sfID1/210/sfID2/343/productID/1726) its the same price and isnt as crappy looking.

[PCIV @ Jun 6th 2009 3:01PM]

Well, no point for a screenless 8gb...

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 6th 2009 3:13PM]

Well, maybe you like the remote functionality, you just want to have buttons on the main unit too. Also, the voice prompts are pretty nice. I'd still do without that, given that you're talking like $150 for this shuffle and the add-on buttons.

[G @ Jun 6th 2009 2:59PM]

or you could get a proper MP3 player (keys included) for that money

[ryan @ Jun 6th 2009 3:08PM]

comma is not a replacement for "and". and even if it was, it just reads as lazy and stupid. so why do it?

[Michael Scrip @ Jun 6th 2009 3:18PM]

It's a common practice for newspapers with limited space.

But I agree... on a website or blog... it's not needed.

[Zune Claus @ Jun 6th 2009 3:20PM]

me , you both.

[Vincent @ Jun 6th 2009 3:37PM]

you do realize that a comma can be used for a continuation of thought. So, the comma there would be acceptable...

[benhc911 @ Jun 6th 2009 3:40PM]

they could have written the title with creative use of hyphens, slashes, colons or semicolons... but I guess maybe those would look weird? The could have the same (apparently desired) disjointed flow and it would allow them to avoid grammar/syntax errors...

[MegaBite @ Jun 6th 2009 3:51PM]

Schoche_tapSTICK.add((hardbuttons&&purpose),iPod_shuffle);

[mcaron1234 @ Jun 6th 2009 3:53PM]

The comma is fine. There is such a thing as style.

[Alex @ Jun 6th 2009 4:34PM]

It's better than a boring old http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/06/scosche-tapstick-adds-hard-buttons-purpose-to-new-ipod-shuffle

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 6th 2009 7:51PM]

ryan:
It's also customary to begin a sentence with a capital letter.

[ryan @ Jun 7th 2009 2:43AM]

not using capitals for sentence starts doesn't make comprehension of the subject matter any more difficult. furthermore it is redundant after the period that it follows. and Thirdly it allows me to Emphasize my Points if i need to, fancy eh?

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 6th 2009 3:10PM]

Pointless accessory is pointless.

[superhobo @ Jun 6th 2009 4:19PM]

Apple engineers have "been working very hard" to remove those buttons, and these guys go and put it back?

Fanboy rage!

[chispito @ Jun 6th 2009 6:32PM]

I think you mean:

Botched MP3 design is botched.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 6th 2009 7:11PM]

@chispito

Why yes. Yes I do.

[Miles @ Jun 6th 2009 3:20PM]

I don't see why everyone hates on the new shuffle. It's a baby step forward onto something. Truly revolutionary.

[Miles @ Jun 6th 2009 3:30PM]

Sorry, I meant to say "something truly revolutionary."
My iPod touch registered a double space as the end of a sentence.

[Eric Foor @ Jun 6th 2009 3:32PM]

To what? Mind controlled iPods?

[Juaquin @ Jun 6th 2009 3:37PM]

How is it revolutionary? It plays back voices that were generated on the computer when it was synced? That may be new to audio players, but that's not at all "revolutionary".

[superhobo @ Jun 6th 2009 4:15PM]

Apple fanboy confirmed.

[Omar Khafagy @ Jun 6th 2009 10:36PM]

You all point out his fandom, and yet fail to point out the irony that he's talking about how revolutionary Apple is... and is then forced to correct his first post because his revolutionary iPod Touch tried to think for him?

He wins at irony.

[dmitr77 @ Jun 6th 2009 3:21PM]

about time

[dmitr77 @ Jun 6th 2009 3:48PM]

what are you talking about

[Awjvail @ Jun 6th 2009 4:31PM]

Reply fail.

[Badger_badger_badger @ Jun 6th 2009 3:27PM]

Hmm for $120 you could get yourself a nice DAP or a cheap PMP. Or you could get a screenless 4gb iPod Shuffle with buttons.

[v3xx @ Jun 6th 2009 5:07PM]

i've seen the 4g 8gb nano for 130 on sale. it's like they say, the cheap comes out expensive.

[Eddie W @ Jun 6th 2009 3:34PM]

For the $30 you could just buy a sanza clip with buttons and a screen. I know where my money's going.

[Bad Beaver @ Jun 6th 2009 3:36PM]

I can't wait for an accessory that does the exact same thing but actually costs the same as the iPod itself, or more.

[hojx93 @ Jun 6th 2009 3:38PM]

Someone put this and the shuffle on FailBlog.org please.
It beats the purpose of going button-less on the shuffle. Just get a previous-gen shuffle.

[chispito @ Jun 6th 2009 6:35PM]

This accessory is not fail, it is probably a lifesaver for anyone who for some reason or another, didn't realize how craptacular the Shuffle design is now, and can't return it.

[Jinto @ Jun 6th 2009 3:43PM]

eh

[loosely_coupled @ Jun 6th 2009 3:49PM]

Great idea for the new device, but I still think the last-gen Shuffle was and is the best tiny MP3 player ever made, particularly since it can play DRM'd iTunes songs for those who don't want to PAY the extortion fee to "upgrade" to the 256kbps DRM-free versions.

Not speaking for myself though, I don't mess with lossy music.