3rd Party Earphones Rejected by new iPod Shuffle?!

Kaistar · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 04:00 PM

This is another site I check often mainly for their "scene" release information but also for the occasional tidbits they post about that I might not read elsewhere.

Quote:

Apple may have finally wised up to the fact that no one likes DRM in its iTunes store, but it looks as though the trendy tech company still has some way to go when it comes to being over-protective of its hardware. The newly revamped iPod Shuffle reportedly doesn’t function properly with any headphones that aren’t made by Apple, as third party headphones now need to contain an Apple authentication chip to function with the small, 4GB flash device. According to iLounge, which has recently reviewed the new iPod Shuffle, the use of third-party headphones will result in the iPod Shuffle being stuck at one volume level, and you won’t be able to skip tracks or pause the player either.

The iPod Shuffle itself only has controls for switching off the machine and setting the playback mode to shuffle your tracks or play them in order. The rest of the usual control features are performed by a remote control on the headphones, but the need for a new authentication chip means that all current third-party iPod headphones with a remote control will not be able to control the device. Worse still, says the site, no compatible third-party headphones or remote control adaptors have entered the manufacturing stage yet. Plus, Apple currently has no plans to make a remote control adaptor that functions with the Shuffle either. According to the site, the price of a compatible set of headphones currently starts at $49 US (£34.64). Of course, the need to include a new piece of silicon in the headphones will also push up the price of a third-party set of headphones too.

Source: Bit-tech

Somehow I'm not surprised Apple has pulled such a stint once again, but I doubt they'll face a big hit if any at all on their sales. They've done similar stunts in the past and well they're still around.

The original post where I read from can be found here. It did quote the source Bit-tech but I've not been to that site.

Kaistar · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 09:21 PM

Just did more reading on this and it is oh-so-terribly confusing. The latest update I got was that it's a control chip from Apple that's part of the "Made for iPod" program.

I'm trying to figure out what control chip means. They're throwing around terms like proprietary chip and authentication chip and control chip and I'm just thinking of chocolate chips... yum...

jephree · #3 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 09:26 PM

AppleInsider | Apple criticized for iPod shuffle's new 'authentication chip'

Kaistar · #4 (**permalink**) 16-03-2009, 11:21 PM

When the iPod Classic came out some people were unhappy as well because a lot of the old/older car stereo for iPods were not compatible with the new Classic as well as some of the video output adapters.

What's Apple up to I wonder.

jephree · #5 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 12:32 AM

Manufacturer confirms chip: iPod headphones now have the Apple Tax; Update: Apple confirms no DRM, authentication, just licensing - Boing Boing Gadgets

dobhar · #6 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 01:50 AM

Ah, ya just gotta love Apple...NOT!

When I bought my iTouch (Gen 1) I was able to get a great case for it but now that the Gen 2's are out cases for Gen 1 are few and very hard to find. The Gen 2 version is now slightly thinner. So because they made it thinner none of the new slick cases will fit my iTouch...

Kaistar · #7 (**permalink**) 17-03-2009, 01:54 AM

.....

What a bunch of hoo-haa over nothing.