iPod Shuffle USB contacts?

[mrpaperknife]

Has anyone seen the the post on Mac Daily News about the extra electronic contacts on the USB plug of the iPod Shuffle? Apple iPod shuffle secret revealed: inspection shows five extra contacts on USB plug What could this be? Or is this not really note worthly news?

 

[mrpaperknife]

Sorry if this is thread is posted where it shouldn't be.

 

[dotdotdot]

My idea - like all the iPods before it, it could be for output in a "Shuffle Dock" with speakers... Analog out?

I never examined a USB plug because... well, I have a life (if you examine this stuff, jk, if you agree with me, I know right!?)

 

[Daveway]

hummm..... I thought something about that usb plug looked odd. i was studying my shuffle today when I noticed that the contacts were unlike anything I had seen before.

 

[mrpaperknife]

Yeah, no, i've never looked at my usb plugs with a microscope! But I can't help but get hyped up when some rumor on the web looks mysteriously different.

 

[Daveway]

Apple obviously has a hidden agenda for the Shuffle. Maybe more accessories (i.e. radio?)

***I noticed that theoretically you can upgrade the amount of memory in the shuffle without buying a new one. If you notice the flash memory is held on a daughter card. Maybe down the road there will be upgrades, like some companies do selling batteries for the original ipods.