Like engravings on iPods. It’s a great way to personalize Apple’s popular media player for a friend or loved one. Just in keep in mind that it’s impossible to return an engraved iPod!

Makes sense actually: Except for those who originally bought them, these engraved iPods have virtually no resale value, and Apple definitely can’t provide refurbished units with “WORD 4 LIFE” engraved at the back of them, can they?

Still, this is something to keep in mind dear readers! There’s a reason after all why retailers like Apple provide engraving for free—it frees them from a potentially significant after-sales support option from the get go.

If you’d still like to get an engraved iPod, you can do so through the Apple Store.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

According to Gearlog, at least two companies are working on earphones designed for the iPod shuffle. Like the earphones that come with the music player, these planned products feature playback controls right on the earphone cords.

A few days ago, I wrote that the shuffle’s lack of playback controls represents an opportunity for third-parties. Looks like at least Scosche is turning it into a gold mine; the most expensive of their rumored earphones will cost $100, definitely higher than the $80 iPod shuffle. The only information gathered on V-Moda’s development plans point to a Q2 2009 release.

Any further thoughts on Apple’s hardware DRM? I just realized that Apple would’ve avoided all the uproar if they bundled a pair of earphones that plugs into a cord with playback controls on them, which plugs into the iPod itself.

No doubt, this setup is a bit messier, but I think giving customers a bit of versatility regarding their headphone or earphone choice is more important than marketing-oriented design.

(image from Gearlog)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

If nothing else, the Shuffle’s inline control interface definitely isn’t the same as that used in iPhones and other iPods. The Griffin SmartTalk inline iPod headphone controls pictured here don’t work, for example, in the 3rd-gen Shuffle. They have the same triple-ringed version of the headphone plug and nearly identical functionality, but do nothing.

-BBG\

The silence from the other side is deafening: Could it be that, for the first time, those Apple-can’t-do-wrong fanboys have nothing to say?

Post from: The Gadget Blog

But why make the playback controls available only on the earphones that come with the product? Everyone knows default iPod earphones aren’t the best out there, so what if you wanted to use your own earphones or headphones with the latest iPod shuffle?

I understand the earphone controls are great for those who want to change the music while keeping the player in their pocket, but again, what if the user doesn’t use the bundled earphones?

In any case, this represents another Apple shortcoming that third-parties can take full advantage of. Expect lots of accessories to be available for this tiny media player, which is available in dark or light gray (or is that black and silver?) from Apple.com at $79.

Another feature I’d like to see Apple engineer back into the shuffle: the USB plug found in its first-generation predecessor.

(image from Apple)

Post from: The Gadget Blog