Klipsch, Scosche unveil VoiceOver-compatible iPod shuffle earphones

By David Carnoy on 13 March 2009, 10:20am

Apple said it would have third parties developing accessories for the new iPod shuffle and, sure enough, they are. First out of the gate are Klipsch and Scosche. By the end of the week, those companies should be joined by others.

Klipsch's press release was vague -- the company only said that it would have VoiceOver-compatible shuffle earphones available in the US by the summer and that they would cost $99.99 (£70).

Scosche was much more specific. It plans to have three earphone models -- the IDR350M, IDR450M and IDR650M -- that feature an integrated control surface and range in price from $49.99 (£35) to $99.99. The release also notes that a miniature microphone built into the back of the control surface will allow users to record voice memos on the latest iPod touch, iPod nano, and 120GB iPod classic.

Scosche is also developing an inline control adaptor kit (shown on the right) that will allow you to use "any standard set of headphones and enjoy all of the advanced features of the third-generation iPod shuffle". The inline control will also allow you to plug your third-generation shuffle into any vehicles' auxiliary input and maintain full control of the iPod. There was no word on how much the dongle will cost.

We can't help but wonder why Apple couldn't just equip the new shuffle with a VoiceOver headphone adaptor of its own. Oh, yeah, it probably collects a licensing fee from these companies. Genius.