iPod shuffle headphone chip
Lack of buttons on the new iPod shuffle was an ingenious design. It kept the design clean to just a slab of aluminum with a clip and reduces source of damage/defect from within the product itself.
However putting the controls completely on the remote apparently becomes a complicated issue. In the past this had happened with later model Walkmans but those units also had on-device controls so Walkman owners were not forced to purchase expensive headsets with remote controls.
News came today via Engadget and iLounge that the new shuffle requires an authentication chip on headphones to allow the remote to work. Without this chip, no 3rd party headphones can control the iPod shuffle, they can only be used to listen straight from start to end, pausing only by unplugging the jack.
The immediate concern now is that new shuffle owners are locked in to Apple's earphones with 3rd party headsets having to license this chip from Apple which will almost surely add up to the cost, because not everyone is comfortable using Apple's.
It is also unlikely that Apple planned this chip only for the shuffle because not a single person will buy these more expensive headsets if they don't own a new iPod shuffle. Which means the other concern is that Apple may implement this requirement on future iPods and even possibly iPhones.
On the other hand, these new 3rd party headsets with remote may well work (or rather, should work) properly with other current iPods as well. Although not a compelling reason for non new shuffle owners, the addition of the remote does add value, at least for the moment.
It's just a matter how much more expensive consumers are being expected to pay for these 3rd party remotes.
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