Written by Ian Paul
How does a tech company spell suicide in 2009? D-R-M. Word is going around that the masters of the universe at Apple have embedded a DRM-type chip into the headphones of the new iPod Shuffle. That means that without that chip -- either in an adapter or a new pair of headphones -- you can barely control your new device and the new VoiceOver feature is rendered obsolete.
The assertion came from iLounge during its recent review of the new iPod Shuffle. The blog, famous for its detailed product reviews, doesn't say how it knows Apple included an authentication chip in the new headphones, only that it has. A further investigation by BoingBoing discovered a mystery chip named 8A83E3 buried in the Apple earbuds' architecture that may be the authentication chip.
The reaction to this rumor has been mild surprise. Some have argued
this policy has been good for Apple financially and may lead to higher
quality headphones from third-party vendors. However, I have to say, if
the rumor is true then this is a horrible path for Apple to tread. By
forcing consumers to constantly buy something as commonplace as
headphones every time a new feature is added will only serve to upset
the public and distance Apple from its dedicated base of consumers.
More troubling is a report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation
that suggests Apple may be embracing the authentication model after it
pushed other industries to abandon copy protection. The EFF points out
that several of Apple's core products have some sort of DRM or
authentication chip embedded in them, including iPods, the iPhone, OSX,
and video ports on the new MacBooks. In its report, the EFF accuses
Apple of trying to "shove competitors to the fringes and wrest control
out of the hands of users."
In other words, by forcing
manufacturers to license Apple's authentication technology to create
third-party products, Apple inflates prices and reduces choice, while
increasing its own profits. Now, I don't want to suggest that Apple
doesn't have the right to make money; of course it does. But its
methods should not put undue pressure on consumers to purchase only
from a "walled garden" of products -- no matter how beautiful that
garden may be.
In 2007, Steve Jobs wrote a letter entitled "Thoughts on Music," which turned the music industry on its ear. In that letter Jobs saw a rose-colored world free
from copy protection where "any player can play music purchased from
any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all
players." Jobs then went on to state that, "this is clearly the best
alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat." Apple has promoted DRM-free music.
So if DRM-free music is the best alternative for consumers, why isn't
DRM-free hardware? Why should you be forced to switch one method of DRM
protection for another?
I want to reiterate that this
mystery chip in the Apple earbuds may not be an authentication chip.
However, considering the DRM protections in some of Apple's other
products, the rumor is not outside of the realm of possibility. If it
is true, then it's a very bad idea and I hope Apple reconsiders.
Now some thoughts by me: My take is that you need to use a third party headphones with your iPod or iPod touch. Why? It has been proven that the Apple iPod earphones can cause permanent hearing loss. Why? You need to wear headphones that are "open" and allow air. If you have comments or questions, feel free to write me now at: msantell@mac.com
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