@Stephen's concept would be the best, sort of a wristwatch type design with possibly integrating a heart rate monitor in it, or even a GPS like the Garmin Forerunners, and just make the headphones over the ear and with a receiver on one side of the head phones or possibly in the middle.

i like it, but i don't know if the market for this is too small and how would a user know which button their pressing on the earphone?

Add a wireless controller that you wear on your wrist. That way you can see a display and control the volume, pause, go to next song, etc.

In large volume production the external controls and holder shouldn't add much to the overall cost for the relative value received. I think this product has potential if it sets itself apart from the link item shown. Problem is if they already are ont he market they probably are already working on the second generation that includes most things needed by the end users.

It's too product specific...and the problem with earphones with external controls is if they break it's a significant replacement cost. That's the whole problem with the new shuffle as well...

Not for the new shuffles which are completely different and require external controls

http://cnettv.cnet.com/arriva-ipod-shuffle-ear-headphones/9742-1_53-32383.html

I believe this product exists already.