Things like this make me think that perhaps the wearable computer is sneaking up on us. Those goofy boxes on the belt, wires down your sleeve, and dorky glasses were just to throw us off the trail. Instead, one tiny elegant step at a time, it will sneak up on us until suddenly a killer app leaps out makes us realize that our iShuffPhoneTouch is it.

So I'm guessing that having the controls on the headphones implies that you can't just swap in any old pair of (likely superior quality) headphones?

There is a separately purchasable dongle that has the controls and lets you plug in any headphones you like.

People who want superior quality shouldn't be buying an iPod shuffle. It's a low-end MP3 player with a very specific set of design limitations.

Apple has an entirely line of MP3 players, some of which aren't perfect for would-be audiophiles.

Interesting point, but ultimately a non sequitur with the OPs question.

WHERE did apple get the idea to put the controls on the HEADPHONES?!

That's been done since the early nineties. (on walkmens back then)

not to mention Apple's own iPhone itself...

AKA the tampod.

...as if it will be convenient to use those controls while walking or running. I can imagine it bobbling in a really annoying fashion.