The biggest complaint with the current iPod Shuffle is that you canβt use it with your favorite earbuds. The earbuds that ship with the Shuffle include an in-line controller for adjusting volume and controlling playback. Without the stock buds, you canβt control the Shuffle at all. People hollered and Scosche listened. Their tapSTICK product is a combination case / controller. Letβs take it for a spin.
Package Contents
tapSTICK case / adapter
3ft 3.5mm audio cable
The tapSTICK is a one piece case made of high impact polycarbonate and is available in either Black or White. There are three control buttons integrated into the case.
The rubber buttons duplicate the same controls that are offered with the earbuds that are included with the Shuffle. There areΒ + and β keys to control volume and a center key that has multi-functions. Pressing the center button once will pause playback or wake up a sleeping Shuffle. Pressing it twice will skip to the next song. Pressing it three times quickly will play the previous song and holding the button will announce the title and artist of the song.
If you flip the tapSTICK over, you can see slot for the Shuffle and the 3.5mm plug that mates with the headphone jack on the top of the Shuffle.
Just turn on the Shuffle and slide it into the opening.
Itβs then ready for use with any 3.5mm set of headphones, earbuds or to the line-in jack of another device. You can still use the clip too.
I didnβt have any issues with the buttons on the tapSTICK. Everything worked as advertised. Once you turn it on and put it in this case, you can leave it there till it needs to be charged. You donβt need to pull the Shuffle out to toggle power. The multi-function button will wake up the audio player when itβs powered down.
My main complaint with this adapter is that I have to remove the Shuffle to charge it. Plugging the USB charging cable into the tapSTICK will not work. Bummer. My secondary complaint is that $30 seems a bit pricey for what it is and does. Especially since the Shuffle is already overpriced in my opinion.
When it comes down to it, if you have a Shuffle and wish you could use another set of earbuds with it, this is a solution for youβ¦ if you donβt mind investing a bit of cash to do it.
INIU Portable Charger, Smallest 22.5W 10000mAh Power Bank, USB C in/Output Fast Charging 3-Output Mini Battery Pack Charger with Phone Holder for iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung S23 Google iPad Tablet
22% OffDEWALT Wearable Bluetooth Speaker (Updated Version), Clip-On Wireless Jobsite Pro Water-Resistant Portable Speaker (Non-Magnetic), Built-in Mic for Hands-Free Music/Calls, Bluetooth Speaker (Yellow)
$56.98 (as of April 17, 2025 17:45 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Product Information
Price: | $29.99 |
Manufacturer: | Scosche |
Pros: |
|
Cons: |
|
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
I have a tapstick I bought it in 2011 and now it’s broken and I went for earpods thinking that they are compatible with my shuffle but sadly they are not,I can’t find one in shops coz apple has stopped making shuffle 3rd gen.How can I get one coz I’m unable to order one online? Help
use ears for iphone 4-4s, its compatible