Comments on: Apple criticized for iPod shuffle’s new ‘authentication chip’

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:27:39 +0000

I think its important to note that VoiceOver is only available in selected languages. OMG Apple is telling us which languages we can speak!!!!!!!

By: qka

qka — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:41:26 +0000

No such thing as ‘authentication chip’

http://gartenblog.net/2009/03/16/apple-on-the-new-ipod-shuffle-headphones/

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/03/16/manufacturer-confirm.html

[It's somewhat ironic to cite irrationally DRM-lathered up BoingBoing as a reputable source for confirmations, given that it also "confirmed" the opposite. This article debunked the AM radio style outrage first, despite being published two days after it was written - Dan]

By: cy_starkman

cy_starkman — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:35:31 +0000

@ NormM

like your adds.

When you think about it, the original shuffle offered not much more, either shuffle or play straight through. So without the custom inline controller you get the essential functions of a V1 shuffle.

I wonder how volume works.

By: NormM

NormM — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:30:49 +0000

You can use standard headphones, you just have no control with them! That’s still surprisingly compatible, considering the headphone jack is also used for syncing and charging. It seems to me that the new capabilities easily justify the hardware changes: we now have a protocol for headphones that include controls and a microphone. Since the control information is sent digitally along with the microphone data, there is presumably no real limit on what kinds of control information can be added in the future using upwardly compatible headphones.

By: cy_starkman

cy_starkman — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:07:46 +0000

Dito

Why is no one reporting that on launch Apple said that you would be able to get a controller with pass through for standard headphones.

What is dodgy about adding controls!?!? How do the control responses get interpreted for sending to the player, via a chip!! Heaven forbid, who would have thought

Who could be arsed inventing anything useful or releasing cool stuff for people to use. If it becomes widely used “everyone” just wants to piss on you and spread lies.

The technical industry reporting is up there with Trash mags and celebrity ass photos these days.

By: Apple criticized for iPod shuffle’s new ‘authentication chip … | MusicalFormats.Com

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:08:31 +0000

[...] Original post: Apple criticized for iPod shuffle’s new ‘authentication chip … [...]

By: jerome_from_munich

jerome_from_munich — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:54:18 +0000

“much the same way as nearly every smartphone on the market (apart from the iPhone) requires a nonstandard adapter to use regular headphones”

This is not entirely accurate. Nokia smartphones, for example, have been using standard jack connections for the past two years.

By: BWhaler

BWhaler — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:54:18 +0000

Perhaps they should have done your research before writing a 2,220 word essay.

The chip is not about DRM. Apple says you are free to use any headphones and controllers you want.

I find it hysterical that someone did a tear down. Everyone assumed it was DRM. And millions of bits and hours have been wasted in the past 24 hours until Apple responded with what the chip does.

Pretty sad and pathetic.

By: enzos

enzos — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:45:53 +0000

Was going to say ’storm in tea cup’ but that’s way too BIG… maybe lilliputian teacup. I have a phatboy Nano but often wish it had head/earphone controls as well as on-screen.

By: leicaman

leicaman — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:14:09 +0000

I hadn’t thought of that reason for Apple to add hardware controls to prevent incompatible headphones from being used. What good is it if it can’t control the Shuffle properly? If my current Shuffle breaks, I’ll be getting one no question. Can’t be beat for listening to Audible books on the treadmill.