Apple claims no DRM protection on Shuffle controls
updated 05:50 pm EDT, Mon March 16, 2009
Apple refutes DRM claims
Apple has refuted recent claims that the new iPod shuffle integrates DRM technology to prevent third-party companies from making compatible products without paying fees. iLounge and the Electronic Frontier Foundation noted the presence of a chip behind the buttons on the in-line controls, leading to the presumption that the component provided authentication for the signal.
The EFF argued that an authentication chip would serve as a method to prevent third-party companies from reverse engineering the technology. The report described a potential "nightmare scenario" where Apple controlled all aspects of iPods and accessories, using DRM and the DMCA laws to drive profits.
Apple provided more details of the system to Boing Boing, claiming that there is no encryption on the "control chip", which would leave the door open for third-party manufacturers to produce clones. The company has a licensing option, however, that offers to sell developers the chip and microphone in a bundle, as part of the Made for iPod program.
It remains unclear if the manufacturers would be prohibited from using unlicensed parts in the Made for iPod accessories.
Told ya...
03/16, 06:10pm reply
It's probably just a serial or PWM chip.
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001
iLounge, Blah
03/16, 06:16pm reply
This site use to be pretty good. Lately though, and their review of the new shuffle is a perfect example, they've become overly emotional and it comes through in their writing. Had the actually done their research they would have identified the mystery chip for what it was - it was only yesterday after all. Their product matrix is a complete mess as well.Oh, for the record, I really use to like this site.
slider
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
Knock-off accessories
03/16, 06:51pm (1 reply) reply
Well at least we know the Chinese knock-off companies won't have any issues with the new Shuffle, then.
Too bad knock-off headphones always sound like horrible c***.
tonton
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2001
nice
03/16, 06:52pm reply
This should really be an eye opener for those people who love to jump to conclusions. Anyone who is part of the EFF should be intelligent enough to learn more about a product before attacking it.
EternalGuest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
Of course, people
03/16, 08:40pm reply
enjoy jumping to conclusions even if they don't know what the h*** they're talking about. Gotta be the first to pan something from Apple. It's only natural.
They see a chip and they're sure right away Apple is starting a conspiracy to s**** the world and it's customers from getting anything close to compatible. I used to buy Sony Walkman devices and I'd use the headphones for a couple of years and never worried about losing them or breaking them.
These worrywarts don't even have the product and they're complaining about the unfairness of the whole Shuffle remote/headphones thing. Damn, these people need a life.
iphonerulez
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
stupid headline
03/16, 09:42pm reply
"Apple claims"? How about "Apple refutes baseless speculation"
malax
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
well, DUH!
03/16, 11:02pm reply
The only surprise here is that Apple even bothered to dignify this ridiculous idea with a response.
tsmelker
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
so what on a so what
03/17, 12:25am reply
A great ending for a "mountain out of mole hill" incident. That this "incident" was even worth getting upset about in the first place is ridiculous. It was the perfect fodder for those who feel like anything Apple or anyone who buys Apple products (
doctor9
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Gawd
03/17, 01:10am reply
man i tell ya - lotsa uptight peeps around these last couple days. Got chewed one on iLounge for actually defending the shuffle with backlash like "proprietary this" and "DRM chip that" and "holy mother of god how am i going to survive without my target headphones". Geeesh - It's a freakin' shuffle: the lowest priced iPod made for casual listening. It happens to come with some cool headphones with inline controls. Fsck this whole thing.
ccrider
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2001
doggone it
03/17, 07:39am reply
ya mean it's not a sinister plot?
ggirton
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999