Scosche gives the Shuffle 3G actual buttons

An MP3 player with buttons? How novel.

(Credit: Scosche Industries)

The third-generation Apple iPod Shuffle has a ridiculously small and elegant design, but its lack of buttons can sometimes be a real buzz kill. The Scosche TapStick is a $29 case for the iPod Shuffle that bestows three buttons on the front of the device, mimicking the three controls used on Apple's headphone remote. A 3-foot auxiliary cable is also included with the case.

Frankly, $30 seems like a lot of dough to throw at an iPod that only costs $80. But if you received the Shuffle as a gift and just need a way to adapt the thing for your car stereo's aux input, the TapStick's relatively large buttons and snap-on design should do the trick.

Update: The retail price of the Scosche TapStick is $29, and not $39, as stated in the company's original press release.

[myles taylor]

That actually looks pretty good and would be nice for those people who want to buy a new shuffle and want buttons. Not quite as goodlooking, but still works.

[regulator1956]

Just buy a 4GB Clip for $60 and you're done - MP3, FM and voice recording.

Don't care who makes what: does it work, features and cost.

[nob1949]

Regulator is absolutely right. I recently purchased a pair of 2gig Sansa Clips on sale for $20 each, one of the best bargains in mp3 history. I do own a 2nd generation Shuffle that I still use, but the new one is a marketing mystery. At one of two major chains I've visited, the new shuffle can barely be seen behind a glass panel near the floor. The other store doesn't even have the Shuffle on display at all. It's buried in a case and I just happened to see it when a salesperson opened the case. The website "Low End Mac" has an old list of less than desirable Mac products called Road Apples; the new Shuffle may make the top of the list.