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Apple: No DRM in iPod Shuffle Earphones
Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 5:16 PM - by Bryan Chaffin
Contrary to Internet speculation, there are no DRM controls embedded in the iPod shuffle's new earphones according to Apple spokespersons speaking to Macworld and Michael Gartenberg. The mystery chip uncovered by iLounge over the weekend is a control chip that is included in the Made for iPod licensing program, as opposed to an authentication or other DRM chip.
The issue arose when iLounge discovered a mystery chip embedded in the earphones. In an review of the iPod shuffle, iLounge said the chip imposed some sort of DRM controls controlling the use of headphones on the device, and called the situation a "nightmare scenario for long-time iPod fans.
It turns out, however, that the mystery chip is not so mysterious, and is merely the circuitry needed by a set of headphones or earphones to control the otherwise-controllerless iPod shuffle.
"In fact, it's not even authentication. It just gives us a way to control the iPod." Kevin Lee of Monster Cable told Macworld.
That means that developers could, in theory, develop a set of earphones without Apple's chip that would still control the iPod shuffle, but they would be doing so outside of Apple's Made for iPod umbrella.
Apple introduced the Made for iPod program that imposes a fee in exchange for the right to display a "Made for iPod" logo on the packaging for third party iPod accessories shortly after the iPod became a runaway success. The program covers devices that have iPod docks or are otherwise designed to work with iPods.
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