If the problem with the existing Shuffle was the inability to know what was playing, and the inability to have more than one playlist, and the inability to use remote controls, Apple could have added these features - voiceover, playlists, added storage, Lossless support, and support for the remote control earphones that Apple already sells - to the existing Shuffle (which had no other usability problems) rather than this stupid thing, that's for sure.
But Apple's alleged treatment of what they consider unfriendly journalists is frankly Nixonian. They deserve that censure.
If the problem with the existing Shuffle was the inability to know what was playing, and the inability to have more than one playlist, and the inability to use remote controls, Apple could have added these features - voiceover, playlists, added storage, Lossless support, and support for the remote control earphones that Apple already sells - to the existing Shuffle (which had no other usability problems) rather than this stupid thing, that's for sure.
Well, you have to admit that Apple got a lot of free press for doing the crazy thing that they did by making the Shuffle button-free.
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But Apple's alleged treatment of what they consider unfriendly journalists is frankly Nixonian. They deserve that censure.
Ironically, I think that will get lost in the "whoah DRM592%*@#(!" noise.
...but the frothing seething outrage over this stupid little chip and the association of it with the most famous boogeyman of the modern era, DRM, is laughable to say the least.
I'll be really interested to see if you have the same attitude when Apple does this across their entire iPod line, iPhone included.
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I'll be really interested to see if you have the same attitude when Apple does this across their entire iPod line, iPhone included.
Then you'd have a point, wouldn't you? I mean, then you'd be talking about standard headphones needing a chip to work in which case you're damn right I'd be pissed. That isn't what's happening here, though.
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Current Apple Stuff: 2008 MacBook Pro 15.4", iPhone 3Gs (32gb), AppleTV, 4gb Shuffle.
On cue, iLounge posts a new editorial on the subject...
I'm impressed with the personal integrity shown by the iLounge team - Apple's attitude and treatment of journalists/bloggers is nothing short of deplorable.
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I'm impressed with the personal integrity shown by the iLounge team - Apple's attitude and treatment of journalists/bloggers is nothing short of deplorable.
Part of the reason is that iLounge has reached the status that they can do this. Most smaller bloggers can't. Jeremy Horwitz deserves praise for his stubborn, increasing independence over the years.
Then you'd have a point, wouldn't you? I mean, then you'd be talking about standard headphones needing a chip to work in which case you're damn right I'd be pissed. That isn't what's happening here, though.
I guess we'll see what happens in the coming months. My prediction is that Apple will slowly but surely implement this same technology across their other devices, regardless of whether or not they need to have the controls (every other iPod beyond this new Shuffle has physical or touch-based controls), with Apple's goal being to make money off every pair of headphones that get plugged into every new iPod. And if you don't pay Apple, you can't use their iPod - that's what I think they're moving toward.
Kind of makes me wonder what the solution is for people who use iPods in their car connected to a 3.5mm jack - not every car has a build-in iPod-specific solution. I bet they'll be a 3.5mm cable that will have the authentication built in, but it's not like there's any advantage there for the consumer - it's basically a tax they'll have to pay to use their iPod in their car.
It's not enough for Apple to own the MP3 player market, and make money off every accessory that plugs into the bottom of an iPod; they want to make money off the headphones too. It's very Napoleon-esque - very Jobsian. Sometimes Apple's control-freak nature is great - it helps them make highly focused, reliable products. Other times, like this, it's just an out of control "we want to rule the world" ego-trip.
If, 24 months from now Apple han't implemented this technology on any of their other products, I'll recant my remarks.
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I guess we'll see what happens in the coming months. My prediction is that Apple will slowly but surely implement this same technology across their other devices, regardless of whether or not they need to have the controls (every other iPod beyond this new Shuffle has physical or touch-based controls), with Apple's goal being to make money off every pair of headphones that get plugged into every new iPod. And if you don't pay Apple, you can't use their iPod - that's what I think they're moving toward.
But, you can use the Shuffle with random headphones - you just can't control it. You're implying that they'll remove on-screen controls off the nano, touch, classic, and iPhone -- or that they'll go further and deny access to regular headphones.
Is it impossible? No. Do I think it's going to happen? No way.
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If, 24 months from now Apple han't implemented this technology on any of their other products, I'll recant my remarks.
Let's be precise -- Apple has added support for the same chip-based inline volume control on the 4th gen nano and the 2nd gen touch -- it's just optional.
Let's be precise -- Apple has added support for the same chip-based inline volume control on the 4th gen nano and the 2nd gen touch -- it's just optional.
And the 120GB iPod Classic as well. Really on all models released since about September 2008.
Edit: not to mention the new late 2008 MacBooks.
__________________ 32 GB iPhone 3GS, various iPods
Many Windows PC's, Early 2009 Mac Mini, Early 2008 MacBook Pro 15"
But, you can use the Shuffle with random headphones - you just can't control it.
Having zero control over an MP3 player hardly seems like you're really using it.
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
You're implying that they'll remove on-screen controls off the nano, touch, classic, and iPhone
I'm not sure how you got that from what I wrote, but no, that's not what I meant. I'm sure physical controls will remain on the other iPods.
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
...or that they'll go further and deny access to regular headphones. Is it impossible? No. Do I think it's going to happen? No way.
Yes, that's what I believe will happen. I believe that Apple wants to only allow headphones that they make a profit off of to function properly in their iPods. Doing this on the Shuffle was a way to test the waters.
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Let's be precise -- Apple has added support for the same chip-based inline volume control on the 4th gen nano and the 2nd gen touch -- it's just optional.
I wonder if that chip technology has the ability to not send any audio out the headphone jack if the chip isn't detected? I bet it does. We'll see what Apple does with that.
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Jeremy Horwitz deserves praise for his stubborn, increasing independence over the years.
My prediction is that Apple will slowly but surely implement this same technology across their other devices, regardless of whether or not they need to have the controls (every other iPod beyond this new Shuffle has physical or touch-based controls), with Apple's goal being to make money off every pair of headphones that get plugged into every new iPod. And if you don't pay Apple, you can't use their iPod - that's what I think they're moving toward.
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