Apple to Apple
The new Shuffle now incorporates a proprietary chip to prevent unauthorized headphone usage. Looks like Apple keeps knocking itself down on my list. This is in addition to dock port items for the iPhone and iPod touch which also have a proprietary chip that require genuine Apple items to get functionality such as a line out, or TV output. I hope there’s a lot of consumer outrage over this. It’s similar to inkjet printer manufacturers in the early part of the decade putting chips in their refills and invoking the DMCA when it came to third party competitors. Sick sick sick. Just makes me sick.