Is Apple wrong about Shuffle earbud compatibility?
While ordering Apple's new iPod Shuffle online, a strange thing happened as I was checking out: Apple recommended some headphones to me that seemed incompatible with the Shuffle. The way I understand it, the latest third-generation iPod Shuffle has migrated all of its playback controls to a remote on the headphone cable, which means that replacement headphones will need to include a similar remote in order to function properly. Sure, you can probably get away with plugging any pair of headphones into the new Shuffle, but if you want control over volume, pause, and skip, you'll need something a little more specialized.
If you're buying the new Shuffle, think twice before upgrading those headphones.
(Credit: CNET Networks/CBS Interactive)So then why is Apple saying that some of its basic headphone models are Shuffle 3G compatible? For instance, I'm pretty sure these Nike Sport Flow headphones Apple recommends don't include an in-line remote, but the compatibility chart at the bottom includes an icon specifically for the third-gen Shuffle. Same goes for these JVC headphones, which are also labeled as compatible.
The Apple Store is listing some headphones as compatible with the third-generation Shuffle, even though they lack the necessary controls.
I'll give Apple the benefit of the doubt and chalk this up to mislabeling (tell me if I'm missing something), but for the time being, I think the Apple Store may be misleading people into thinking there are plenty of third-party headphone upgrades for the new Shuffle. Not true. Plenty of manufacturers have made iPhone-compatible headphones, but those models don't include a volume remote, since the iPhone doesn't support remote volume control. Without in-line volume control on your headphones, there's no way to adjust volume on the new iPod Shuffle.
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
How detached from reality can Apple be? who was complaining that the Shuffle needed to be SMALLER, especially at the expense of all controls and the ability to use real headphone that we already own!
Earbuds are garbage. We could accept that disposable crap with iPods when you could plug in legitimate headphones. But now Apple FORCES you to use garbage-quality earbuds. Hello, Apple: people RUN with the Shuffle, meaning they might use sports headphones of some kind.
APPLE DESIGN = OVER
Something tells me that it's the nerdy techs that are disconnected from reality, and Apple's got their pulse right where it needs to be.
They alwasy cater to the Masses
which is why I Hate Love their products
Glossy screen I don't mind, Firewire I don't care
Removable battery is again a not much of a problem especially since it has 1000 recharge cycles
but headphones r where I draw the Line
if Apple were smart they could have made it into a adapter like how Nokia does with their N series Phones !
Second of all if you weren't totally clueless you would realize APPLE STILL SELLS THE OLD VERSION, yes that's right they still sell the old version so all they have done is given people a choice. Personally I'm not a big fan of ear buds, so if I were to buy a shuffle today I'd buy one of the second gen shuffle's and if for some reason I didn't like the colors on the second gen shuffle i'd buy a sandisk clip. my point is they are forcing nothing they are offering a new choice while still selling the old one.
They have done nothing to force anything on you, its ok you can calm down now.
Yes it is. Apple isn't forcing anyone to BUY the new Shuffle, but once someone does you have ZERO options other than using Apple's own ear gear. That seems to fit pretty well with the definition of 'forcing'.
If they dont' cater to their market they will lose share. Reccomending headphones (face it Apple's market includes folks who "just don't want to mess with it" because it's like totally complicated euuuuuwwww) that don't work to people who can't figure out why...
Not a winning recipie.
Same thing with the 8 hour battery life claim. I havent seen one review that managed over 5 and a half hours. I can presume Apple will overplay all information by 25% I guess.
However, this post is mis-leading - Apple is simply stating that "Customers also bought". It's a simple algorithm- customers had this and this in their cart. This is no different from going to Amazon and saying: "I can't believe I bought this Mac and it recommended PC software!" Well, if other customers bought it - you're going to see it as "recommended".
After all, the 2nd generation iPod shuffle was way too heavy at .5 grams to carry around.
Your earbuds suck Apple - I for one have two different sized ear cavities so day 1 of my first iPod experience involved me going back to the store to buy a decent set of customizable earbuds. And I haven't even touched on the shoddy sound quality you get from those crappy buds.
I'd hate to be the one sitting next to your cubicle. I read through most of your posts and not a single one was anywhere near positive or helpful. Seriously. Cheer up, man.
Don't even bother with people like this Bell. Not at least until he has something to say that isn't a complete flaming of someone or something.
-Getting a grip on those tiny wired controls will probably be quite annoying as the wire whips around and about your head.
-The buttons are too small to easily grip with sweaty fingers.
-They're likely much less durable than the larger controls on the older shuffle. And when they break you'll have to buy new headphones.
-You now need to press TWICE to advance each individual track.
-Some runners (like me) prefer to wear their headphones so that the wire goes down the back and around the side (keeps the wires out of the way) -- can't do that if the controls are on the wire.
-Adding access to multiple playlists is a nice idea, but with the current buttons-on-earbud wire approach it adds an extra layer of complexity to the button press scheme.
Voiceover is brilliant.
Apple clearly designed this device with their loyal shuffle customers in mind.
i thought the new apple headphones with volume control worked on it...?
Anyone defending this must ask whether they are defending the product or the company, because it's obvious that there are some design flaws with this product that should have been forseen during development.
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by abundantsnotbob
March 12, 2009 8:25 PM PDT
- If you connected a headphone splitter, could you plug in different headphones, and still be able to control this? I think that the 1st and 2nd gen iPod shuffles are better than this.
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