We previously blogged about how the new iPod Shuffle may have a special hardware authentication chip which is required to control the shuffle.
It has now been confirmed by 3rd parties that the new shuffle earphones do require a authentication chip and Apple will require companies to pay a licence fee to be part of the Made for iPod program.
However apparently the chip isn't encrypted or otherwise locked down in any way, so it's easily cloned by companies who'd rather not pay but this will mean the earphones will not be able to carry the “Made for iPod certification” logo which will probably lead to a loss in sales.
via Engadget
