CrunchGear is reporting the discovery of a little chip in Apple’s new Shuffle headphone control module — stamped 8A83E3 — that has no documented use in standard part identification channels. We are nothing if not curious, and the lack of information has led to rampant speculation. Is it a DRM chip? Is it merely a buffer? Is it an AD converter?

Regardless, the fact that old Apple in-line control systems no longer work with the new Shuffle is just another example of Apple’s willingness to repackage old tech in a new form to try and sell it for another accessory charge. Remember when the new iPods wouldn’t work with even recent Apple video cables thanks to a new required “authentication chip,” and when they arbitrarily reassigned the yellow video out cable on AV cords to the red cable?

Oh, Apple… Sunsetting old accessories just because you want to bank on the new accessories you’ll be able to sell might be good business practice, but it’s just plain horrible to do to your customers.