Apple In-Ear Headphones Compatible with 3G shuffle

The media has been on and on about Apple's new shuffle, and how the company has locked users into the headphones it ships with. However, that turned out to be a bit false. While you cannot get earphones from a third-party provider (just yet), you can get another pair from none other than Apple – the In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic boasting pro audio performance and sound isolation.

Having a closer look at Apple's renderings of the new shuffle, as well as the tech specs and features, we came to the conclusion that not everyone will be happy with the third generation shuffle. One of the reasons we cited were actually the headphones. “By placing the controls on the earphone cord, Apple has locked users down to this particular headset model,” we said. That's not entirely so, as the fresh iPod shuffle is listed by Apple as compatible with the more expensive In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic (screenshot above).

The control capsule located on the cable of the right earpiece includes a microphone and three buttons, just like the original 3G shuffle headset. According to Apple, this is what you can do with these headphones:

- Adjust volume by pressing the + and - buttons
- Control music and video playback - including play/pause and next/previous - by pressing the center button
- Record voice memos on supported iPod models.

Some listeners have smaller ear lobes (or no lobes at all), making it difficult for them to keep the buds in place. Those users need “in-ear” headphones, if they also want to move about while listening to their favorite tracks. Sure, some will say it's still a pain in the neck that the gorgeous new shuffle is useless without a pair of Apple-developed headphones, be they the original set, or the “in-ear” model, selling for a pocket-burning 80 USD (as expensive as the iPod itself). However, Apple could only achieve this beautiful design only by removing the physical controls and placing them on the cord.

More information on the Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic is available here.