The New iPod's Pushability

The new iPod Shuffle is a small MP3 player that's designed to be clipped onto your clothes to make you look ultra-hip and fashionable.

It also makes it ultra-stealable. With an expensive bit of electronics clipped to your lapel / shirt pocket, you're increasing your mug-rating to 9.5, and virtually doing most of the work for people apart from unclipping it, putting it in your mugger's hand and then barking like a dog.

More importantly, putting stuff like that on display stirs urges. Primal urges. Not sexy ones, just primal.

I was sat on the train (as far too many of these stories begin) when I noticed that the chap sat opposite me (I was sat at a table seat) was wearing one of these things on his jacket lapel.

My first instinct was to lean across, and push the big white button right in the middle of the player. It was calling me.

"Push me Karl, push me. This guy wants his music paused. He's willing you to do it".

I'm pretty sure that the voice was in my head but nonetheless, putting a button on someone's jacket like that is asking for trouble. Uber design flaw.

Apple, stop trying to be hip and with it, and start producing clips that'll go somewhere that's not so obviously stealable. Like the inside of your lower lip or something.