I weighed in on the discussion of the new Shuffle over at Apple Thoughts, and I thought my response was worth sharing on this site.
I'm all for MP3 players breaking into new ground, and thought the original Shuffle was pretty damn brilliant - a screen isn't as mandatory as everyone thinks it is for some scenarios like working out in a gym - but this new Shuffle missed the mark in a few ways.
First, the fact that you have to use Apple's headphones in order to control the device in any way at all is a big problem. From a quality standpoint, the $3 headphones that Apple includes can't measure up - ever - to the quality of stand-alone headphones that cost $99+. And even if they're "not bad" as far as headphones go, not everyone's ears can fit them - my wife for instance couldn't use the headphones on her Shuffle because her ear canals are quite small. We always have to buy her extra-small headphones. By moving the controls onto the headphones, Apple is shutting out 100% of people who:
a) Want (or already own) better quality headphones
b) Can't fit/don't like the included headphones
The idea of investing money in a great set of headphones is that you can use them over and over again with all sorts of device - and Apple decides to break this concept? Yeah, I know third party companies are doubtless salivating over re-releasing new versions of their headphones with Shuffle controls on them, but there's zero benefit to the consumer.
I never heard anyone complain that the Shuffle was too big, so I'd have preferred to see them keep the size but add a screen (the SanDisk Sansa Clip manages this very nicely), or increase the battery life, etc. This seems to be a case of making something smaller because they can, not because it really benefits the consumer.
I think the voice-over idea is kind of neat, but the implementation sounds just as bad as text to speech systems from a decade ago. The PC version sounds especially awful. Apple tends to implement technologies when they've matured and deliver real value to consumers, so this is especially surprising that they'd deliver something so incredibly lame.
__________________ Want to contact me personally? Use this. Want to read my personal blog? Check it out. Want to follow me on Twitter? Here you go.
Seriously though, yeah, Apple makes strategic mistakes from time-to-time, and it annoys me that they still cling to this "closed" system approach. It is such a legacy concept, that continues to gain new "life."
You do all realize that very soon there will be a ton of 3rd party headphones that have the controller built in, right? Just like you can get 3rd party headphone with the button that works on the iPhone.
The idea of investing money in a great set of headphones is that you can use them over and over again with all sorts of device - and Apple decides to break this concept? Yeah, I know third party companies are doubtless salivating over re-releasing new versions of their headphones with Shuffle controls on them, but there's zero benefit to the consumer.
I agree with most of your points, but I think you missed something here. Apple thinks the future of DAP control will be with on-headphone controls (whether they're right about this remains to be seen of course). I believe all of their latest devices minus the iPhone 3G support the new headphone remotes (and the iPhone does so as well minus the volume control). So yeah, you have to invest in a new set of headphones (or use Apple's) to get on the bandwagon, but once done you will be able to reuse them just like any other headphones. Since this is Apple and iPod we're talking about, there will soon be plenty of 3rd party choices and they will work just fine with other DAPs even if they don't support the protocol (which I think would be a great idea for them to do if it's not proprietary).
I've really grown accustomed to the remote control for play\pause\prev\next\answer call on my iPhone and really wish I had volume up\down as well. It's great to be able to make adjustments one-handed on your headphones without having to pull your device out from your pocket. This is not something I thought I would use (and you probably don't think you would use it either), but having actually used it, I love it, and actually prefer my Apple earbuds despite their horrible fit, due to the added convenience they provide. (Note: I only use them while I'm out and about, so sound quality isn't an issue for me when I'm in a crowded store or waiting for a train.)
Anyway, I love the new remote controls even though I would prefer to have an alternate set of controls on the device itself. My (long-winded) point being that I disagree with your assertion that there is zero benefit to the consumer as I think the remote controls are a great plus.
__________________ 64 GB iPad 2 WiFi, Apple TV 2, 32 GB iPhone 4
Early 2011 MacBook Pro 13" (dual boot with Windows 7), Early 2009 Mac Mini
You do all realize that very soon there will be a ton of 3rd party headphones that have the controller built in, right?
Umm...did you read my whole post?
"Yeah, I know third party companies are doubtless salivating over re-releasing new versions of their headphones with Shuffle controls on them, but there's zero benefit to the consumer."
I've got a really nice set of Ultimate Ears 5EB's that sound great. Why would I want to buy a new set with headphone controls on them just so I can use them with the new Shuffle?
__________________ Want to contact me personally? Use this. Want to read my personal blog? Check it out. Want to follow me on Twitter? Here you go.
...there will soon be plenty of 3rd party choices and they will work just fine with other DAPs even if they don't support the protocol (which I think would be a great idea for them to do if it's not proprietary).
Well, that's the thing: if this were about some sort of industry-standard in-line control solution, it would be a bit different. Instead this is Apple creating headphones that don't have any benefit when used with a non-iPod device. Yes, they control 73% (or whatever it is now) of the market, but not everyone uses an iPod.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyvim
...but having actually used it, I love it, and actually prefer my Apple earbuds despite their horrible fit, due to the added convenience they provide. (Note: I only use them while I'm out and about, so sound quality isn't an issue for me when I'm in a crowded store or waiting for a train.)
Well, I suspect that if sound quality is lower on your list than convenience, you're the kind of person that Apple is counting on not to care about this. Myself, sound quality is the single most important thing to me in headphones. Oh, and not having to buy new headphones is also important to me. Different slices of the market.
__________________ Want to contact me personally? Use this. Want to read my personal blog? Check it out. Want to follow me on Twitter? Here you go.
Well, I suspect that if sound quality is lower on your list than convenience, you're the kind of person that Apple is counting on not to care about this. Myself, sound quality is the single most important thing to me in headphones.
It's not that I don't care about sound quality- I care a great deal about sound quality. I'm just honest enough to admit that on a crowded subway, an airplane, or a busy street with all the outside noise intruding I can't distinguish between Apple earbuds and higher quality headphones. Note that I'm not willing to use canal-blocking or noise-canceling phones while I'm on the street because I find they isolate me too much from the environment, which IMO is (a) rude, and (b) dangerous. I'm also not willing to play the music loud enough to damage my hearing. So recognizing that I'm never going to have an audiophile (or anywhere close) experience from my DAP while I'm out and about, yeah convenience is an important factor (esp. if you live some place that is (a) cold, or (b) prone to theft).
__________________ 64 GB iPad 2 WiFi, Apple TV 2, 32 GB iPhone 4
Early 2011 MacBook Pro 13" (dual boot with Windows 7), Early 2009 Mac Mini
Let me put this another way: could you imagine if Dell released a desktop computer that didn't have a power button on it, but included a special wired keyboard with a power button, and the only way to turn on the PC was to use the Dell keyboard. You have a nice keyboard you already like? Sorry, you need to use the Dell keyboard.
Stop and think about it - doesn't that sound idiotic? That's exactly what Apple has done here, but because they're Apple, people are forgiving them for it. That double standard drives me nuts.
__________________ Want to contact me personally? Use this. Want to read my personal blog? Check it out. Want to follow me on Twitter? Here you go.
Let me put this another way: could you imagine if Dell released a desktop computer that didn't have a power button on it, but included a special wired keyboard with a power button, and the only way to turn on the PC was to use the Dell keyboard. You have a nice keyboard you already like? Sorry, you need to use the Dell keyboard.
Actually that sounds exactly like Apple!
Their routers don't have power buttons at all - you reboot by yanking the plug!
I admit that it's a questionable move, but on the other hand I can see where they're going with this. I find the design interesting even if it's not my cup of tea (although as I mentioned I do enjoy the on-headphone remote). Really these things are getting so ridiculously small that soon they could just be part of the headphone itself and you wouldn't need any cord at all (and it wouldn't even add any noticeable bulk or weight).
__________________ 64 GB iPad 2 WiFi, Apple TV 2, 32 GB iPhone 4
Early 2011 MacBook Pro 13" (dual boot with Windows 7), Early 2009 Mac Mini
I've got a really nice set of Ultimate Ears 5EB's that sound great. Why would I want to buy a new set with headphone controls on them just so I can use them with the new Shuffle?
You would not have to if you bought an inline patch cable with iPod controls on it. Sort of like the kind of thing that you need for a G1 Android phone, say. If Apple does not make one, I assume that somebody (or, lots of somebodies) will.
But I’m not the target buyer for this device. If you walk along any city street, ride a subway or bus, or wander through the local gym, you’ll see that nearly everyone uses the stock Apple earbuds. It’s not that their ears are any more ideal for these things than mine, it’s just that most people don’t care or know any better. This is what I got, this is what I’ll use.
I think that's pretty true; I see a lot of stock white earbuds when I am out and about. I think that a lot of people just use the buds that come with their player.
The new Shuffle is definitely not something that interests me, but the old ones never were, either.
My Thoughts on the New iPod Shuffle
Linear Mode
