Apple are cheapskates with iPod [Archive]

zainjetha

Mar 18, 2008, 04:23 PM

Cromulent

Mar 18, 2008, 04:28 PM

So what you are really saying is that they have removed the iTunes CD (not needed), the firewire cable (also not needed as it is USB anyway), the firewire power adaptor (also not needed) and a cheap flimsy belt clip?

Whats the problem? You want Apple to supply useless junk in the box?

marykay9507

Mar 18, 2008, 04:30 PM

i don't think it is a question of being cheap, but more towards reducing the packaging by removing unnecessary items

zainjetha

Mar 18, 2008, 04:32 PM

Cromulent

Mar 18, 2008, 04:34 PM

alright fine scrap itunes cd and FW, belt clip, but they must provide a power adapter as they must think that people might travel around with ipods and might need to charge it somewhere. it really quite shocking that they dont

How many other portable music players supply power adaptors in the box?

marykay9507

Mar 18, 2008, 04:36 PM

not everyone needs an adapter as they just charge through their computer-- and I hate to say it but lots of people probably already own them from previous gen iPods.

Plus...you don't NEED it-- it is an option (like a case, fm transmitter, sound dock, etc)

Phil A.

Mar 18, 2008, 04:37 PM

alright fine scrap itunes cd and FW, belt clip, but they must provide a power adapter as they must think that people might travel around with ipods and might need to charge it somewhere. it really quite shocking that they dont

If you need a power adapter, just buy one. Apple may have dropped some items from the box, but they've also dropped the prices quite considerably in real terms

Mar 18, 2008, 05:07 PM

The only thing that is of any good that's no longer included is the Wall Charger, but, with every new generation iPod the price continues to drop.

jessica.

Mar 18, 2008, 05:19 PM

JG271

Mar 18, 2008, 05:23 PM

As long as they keep the stickers i'm not complaining:rolleyes:

With regard to the belt clip - all the ipods will fit into a pocket these days.

GimmeSlack12

Mar 18, 2008, 05:23 PM

Techguy172

Mar 18, 2008, 05:26 PM

The iPods get pretty good battery life anyways you aren't really going to need one unless your going on an extended trip what is it like 45 Hours for the Classic.

Abstract

Mar 18, 2008, 05:33 PM

i don't think it is a question of being cheap, but more towards reducing the packaging by removing unnecessary items

I seriously doubt that they're doing this to lower the environmental impact of purchasing an iPod.

So what you are really saying is that they have removed the iTunes CD (not needed), the firewire cable (also not needed as it is USB anyway), the firewire power adaptor (also not needed) and a cheap flimsy belt clip?

The AC adapter is very useful. I still use my old iPod adapter with my Nano, particularly when I'm not at home. Do I want to whip out my laptop just to charge my iPod? It seems silly. At the time, they took the AC adapter away without actually lowering the price. It's similar to the MacBooks not including the remote anymore. So yes, in a way, the OP is correct, and Apple are being cheapskates. They included the remotes before, and now they're not.

I also liked having FW on my old iPods. It was great when I was using my iPod 20 GB as a backup HDD. I guess the Firewire chipset cost Apple too much, and they were trying to save money. I guess that extra $1 meant a lot to Apple. :o

marykay9507

Mar 18, 2008, 05:37 PM

Mar 18, 2008, 05:51 PM

I also liked having FW on my old iPods. It was great when I was using my iPod 20 GB as a backup HDD. I guess the Firewire chipset cost Apple too much, and they were trying to save money. I guess that extra $1 meant a lot to Apple. :o

Whats the point of jacking up the price of an iPod to have firewire syncing when a good majority of the users will NOT be able to take advantage of it.

GimmeSlack12

Mar 18, 2008, 06:02 PM

I guess the Firewire chipset cost Apple too much, and they were trying to save money. I guess that extra $1 meant a lot to Apple. :o

I would imagine it had a bit more to do with PC compatibility, as nearly all PC's do not have a 6pin Firewire port. Again, I really don't think Apple was out to screw anyone.

decksnap

Mar 18, 2008, 06:05 PM

Which would piss off more people:
Including the power adapter and the price going up?
Or not including it and keeping the price the same?

Bit of a coin toss IMO. I'm sure its a financial move rather than an attempt to 'screw' the consumer.

How about 'include the power adapter and keep the price the same'. Like they did when they removed it. I agree with the OP. Skimpin' way too hard. Charging through the computer sucks.

mrkgoo

Mar 18, 2008, 06:07 PM

The point of removing stuff is actually to reduce cost. Even though technology is always getting cheaper, implementing the larger memory, new chips and so on (esp. R&D) come at a cost.

Apple's philosophy when it comes to product revisions is generally to keep the tiers the same price or drop the price. How can you do this when the numbers say you should increase the price of the next generation of products to remain as profitable? You remove pack-ins.

They could pack in all the stuff they used to with both Mac products and their iPod range, but the price would have to go up accordingly. Those items were never 'freebies' - rest assured, you still paid for them back then.

It's a hidden way of maintaining market price. Like bags of chips - instead of increasing price with inflation, they simply reduce volume for the same price.

You can bet Apple does a whole lot of market research when it comes to choosing a retail price point for all their products - whenever they announce a price drop, they have probably mapped that price point to be optimal for market affordability and their own profitability for years to come (including all planned updates), without the need to 'raise' the price.

SaSaSushi

Mar 18, 2008, 08:03 PM

I find that my old firewire wall charger from my now defunct white 2G 10GB iPod charges my current iPods far faster and more effectively than the USB cable. I am sad to see they don't ship them with the last few generations.

You can get a firewire wall adapter for about $20. I recommend them highly.

puma7

Mar 18, 2008, 08:27 PM

Deadaim357

Mar 18, 2008, 08:36 PM

When I bought my 30gb iPod last February it came with a black sleeve. I kept it in the sleeve all the time until I lost it around July. I think Apple should include those again.

QuarterSwede

Mar 18, 2008, 08:44 PM

I also liked having FW on my old iPods. It was great when I was using my iPod 20 GB as a backup HDD. I guess the Firewire chipset cost Apple too much, and they were trying to save money. I guess that extra $1 meant a lot to Apple. :o
Actually the reason they got rid of firewire was because the chips were physically to large to keep them in the thinner and thinner iPods. Shame since it whips USB.

DivideTheOcean

Mar 18, 2008, 09:20 PM

I love how many excuses people can come up with to explain the lack of a wall charger. A wall charger is a must for me, and the fact that they don't include it is ridiculous. And, to add insult to injury, they charge $30 to buy one from them.

They don't include a wall charger because it's not a must for the majority of customers. If you need one, buy one. Why make everyone pay for one if most people won't even touch it? In this case, it sucks to be in the minority, but that's how it goes sometimes.

I should add that I bought a wall charger for my 80 GB 5th generation iPod, but I have yet to use it (I've had it for 18 months). Should have waited until I knew I'd need it. Oh well.

My 40 GB 3rd generation iPod came with a charger, but it cost $499 back in 2003. Even taking into account the fall of memory prices since then, they've made current iPods cheaper by not including chargers, docks, and other accessories. More iPods sold = even lower prices for everyone because of high volume economics.

I do agree that $30 is a bit steep, however.

pazreal

Mar 18, 2008, 10:29 PM

I also miss the days of the decked out iPod boxes. I would rather have some sort of dock than a power adapter so the iPod isn't just laying about. Oh well luckily I still have some power bricks from my older iPods.

puckhead193

Mar 18, 2008, 10:35 PM

when i was home for spring break i found my 3 gen ipod (the cube box) and remembered what it came with..... I still use my dock from it.

mrpalmer420

Mar 19, 2008, 07:19 AM

I still have my charger from my 3rd gen./ I keep it plugged in at work in case i don't charge my ipod at night (this way i never have to listen to the droning voices of my co workers)

The thing that i really want is the Dock.

Abstract

Mar 19, 2008, 08:21 AM

I beg to differ with you...http://www.apple.com/environment/design/

They are conscious of the environment and while it may not be the primary reason for not including these items, it could be a secondary one

No it isn't. Sorry, but the iPod stopped including the AC adapter and belt clip when Apple was rated the LEAST environmentally friendly electronics company. They got called out on it several times, and so they (tried to) improve. Right now, it's all advertising.

I love how many excuses people can come up with to explain the lack of a wall charger. A wall charger is a must for me, and the fact that they don't include it is ridiculous. And, to add insult to injury, they charge $30 to buy one from them.

Exactly. I try to see the good in Apple's decisions, but not including an AC adapter for their product is quite poor form. I drink the Apple kool-aid, but not enough to defend Apple for not including simple things.

It was one thing when they stopped including the dock for the most expensive iPod, but there really isn't any excuse for not including it. It's certainly not the cost of manufacturing the iPod that has gone up. Harddisks are far cheaper than before, and the one in the iPod isn't even the biggest, highest capacity model.

Mar 19, 2008, 08:33 AM

Seriously, very few portable music devices come with anything other than a USB cable to charge your device, so I don't understand everyone's gripe. Spend 30 dollars one time and you'll have an ipod charger for every iPod you ever buy in your life...

neiltc13

Mar 19, 2008, 08:57 AM

It charges with USB. There are countless devices around now with USB on them which you can just plug the iPod in to charge.

I'm thinking games consoles, TVs, set top boxes and hell, there are now even power strips which you can buy with USB ports on them.

In all honesty I don't think a wall charger is necessary. If you travel, you pay for it. That's how it always has been and that's how it's going to be forevermore.

Tom B.

Mar 19, 2008, 10:04 AM

Most people wouldn't even use a wall charger, so including it would only make millions of people have to pay extra for something they don't need. If you do need one, then buy one. Simple.

GimmeSlack12

Mar 19, 2008, 12:01 PM

http://www.starsurplus.com/viewitem.lasso?i=TB-168

For those interested here is a link to a charger that you can buy. It is $3.95 plus shipping. I'm not sure if this will help resolve the matter or make it worse, probably the latter.

Eraserhead

Mar 19, 2008, 12:08 PM

No it isn't. Sorry, but the iPod stopped including the AC adapter and belt clip when Apple was rated the LEAST environmentally friendly electronics company.

The rating was by Greenpeace, so can hardly be viewed as particularly fair and balanced ;).

slu

Mar 19, 2008, 12:32 PM

FYI, the Zune does not include a wall charger, and only the top of the line Zen Vision W includes one.

Nothing to see here.

The black sleeves were nice though and I wish they were still included.

Tailpike1153

Mar 19, 2008, 12:52 PM

I don't need all the extras, they just get in the way. Especially at the TSA line at the airport.

ezpk69

Mar 19, 2008, 01:06 PM

We pay for everything in the box, whether that's how you like to look at it or not. Nothing is "included for free"; it's all factored into the selling price.

Around here, I have at least one FW charger, and two or more usb chargers for 3 iPods, one of which practically lives on an alarm clock/charger, and one that rarely gets used. The last iPod doesn't move around much, and so stays plugged into the wall a lot.

The point is, I have more chargers than I need by about 2. Next time I buy an iPod, I don't want to pay for a charger just because you need one. Next time you buy an iPod, pretend it costs $30 more than it does and buy a charger. Let's say Apple raised the price $15 and included the adapter-great for you, what am I? Chopped liver? I don't want to subsidize your charger, sorry.

Who's unreasonable? The guy who doesn't want to pay for something he doesn't want, or the guy who doesn't want to pay for something he does want?

aristobrat

Mar 19, 2008, 01:43 PM

i remember when i first purchased my 4GB mini... in the box was the Mini, iTunes CD, USB Cable, FireWire Cable, Firewire Power adapter and even a belt clip.... earbuds to go on earphones..
Yeah, back when a 4GB iPod cost $299 (which would cost $340 in 2007, with the price adjusted for inflation).

Now a 4GB iPod costs you $150 less, has a battery that lasts up to 4x longer, comes with a color screen that can do videos, and is physically a lot smaller.

Damn Apple cheapskates...

stainlessliquid

Mar 19, 2008, 03:14 PM

Older ipods larger than the smallest size came with a dock and a carrying case as well.

So yes they are more stingy. I dont know why people can think otherwise. Especially with the touch, that should come with one of their cheap ass non-av docks or at least something to carry it in (even a crappy sleeve like what they gave with ipods after the class action lawsuit).

The dock alone was EASILY one of the biggest rip offs I have ever spent money on and I still feel guilty for actually paying for it. $40 for 2 small pieces of cheap plastic and a hunk of iron for weight, absolutely ridiculous, it probably costed them less than $5 to make. When I got it I was naive and assumed it came with a USB cable (which I needed) since it was so absurdly expensive, I was wrong and had to spend another $20 on a cable. Now instead of including a dock they give you a little dock adapter plate so they can nickle and dime you some more.

What people dont realize is that when they include things in the box yes we are paying for them but we are paying probably close to wholesale. When we buy them separately we have to pay insane margins, especially when it comes to accessories like the dock. Compare the 360 Core with the 360 Premium, if you paid for all the individual accessories it would be extremely more expensive than if you just got the 360 Premium ($100 for a 20gb HDD? ya theres not a massive margin on that at all!). Its a way for them to make MORE money, they are not making less in any stretch of the imagination, we always paid for the docks and carrying sleeves, we just paid smaller prices since we werent being nickel and dimed to death. We are paying more, much much much more. Do people honestly think that Apple used to add $30 to the price of the old ipods just to include a travel charger (which you can get for less than $2 from other companies)?

Yeah, back when a 4GB iPod cost $299 (which would cost $340 in 2007, with the price adjusted for inflation).

Now a 4GB iPod costs you $150 less, has a battery that lasts up to 4x longer, comes with a color screen that can do videos, and is physically a lot smaller.

Damn Apple cheapskates...
You realize that 4gbs is incredibly cheaper to make today that it was a few years ago right? Im sure apple is making a hell of a lot more money off of todays 4gb ipod than the old 4gb ipod.

Mindflux

Mar 19, 2008, 03:19 PM

You realize that 4gbs is incredibly cheaper to make today that it was a few years ago right? Im sure apple is making a hell of a lot more money off of todays 4gb ipod than the old 4gb ipod.

Yes they are cheaper to make, but they are also cheaper to buy. If Apple wants a 30% margin on all products it doesn't matter if it's 1,000 dollars or 10 dollars, they mark it up 30% over cost (or whatever their true markup figure is) which in turn makes them less profit (by a numbers standpoint).

300 x .30 = $90 (so 210 is their cost before markup)
150 x .30 = $45 (105 is their cost before markup).

closeupman

Mar 19, 2008, 03:20 PM

Apple was cheap in not including an internal mic so you could do voice recordings(you have to buy an external mic to do it). Most every other music player in the market includes it.

Eraserhead

Mar 19, 2008, 03:28 PM

Apple was cheap in not including an internal mic so you could do voice recordings(you have to buy an external mic to do it).

Not really as the quality of the internal mic would be very poor. Apple just didn't overload the iPod with crappy features. On the other hand the defense for the lack of wall charger is lame, it should be included.

Schtumple

Mar 19, 2008, 03:34 PM

Apple was cheap in not including an internal mic so you could do voice recordings(you have to buy an external mic to do it). Most every other music player in the market includes it.

I've never once used the voice recorder function on any of my previous mp3 players, it's a good idea for lectures, recording down the lesson and such but thats about it...

I too also miss the black sleeve that came with my nano but not with my classic :(

Eraserhead

Mar 19, 2008, 03:36 PM

it's a good idea for lectures, recording down the lesson and such but thats about it...

Given the number of people who fail to read through their notes properly, I doubt the number of people who listen to lectures from a crappy recording is statistically different from 0.

Schtumple

Mar 19, 2008, 04:00 PM

Given the number of people who fail to read through their notes properly, I doubt the number of people who listen to lectures from a crappy recording is statistically different from 0.

:P true, it does seem like a bit of a pointless feature, much like built in FM tuners, GREAT I CAN HAVE FM RADIO, ON THE GO!!! *fuzz....fuzz....THE HITS...fuzz* ooooo no signal :D

closeupman

Mar 19, 2008, 04:37 PM

Not really as the quality of the internal mic would be very poor. Apple just didn't overload the iPod with crappy features. On the other hand the defense for the lack of wall charger is lame, it should be included.

I need a voice recorder for some work I do, it doesn't have to be quality audio, just audible and able to record voices. I can do this with my cheap a$$ voice recorder, but can't do it with the $$$$ Ipod. I'd get an iPod in a minute if it had that, otherwise my next purchase will be some other companies music player that has it.

stainlessliquid

Mar 19, 2008, 05:46 PM

Yes they are cheaper to make, but they are also cheaper to buy. If Apple wants a 30% margin on all products it doesn't matter if it's 1,000 dollars or 10 dollars, they mark it up 30% over cost (or whatever their true markup figure is) which in turn makes them less profit (by a numbers standpoint).

300 x .30 = $90 (so 210 is their cost before markup)
150 x .30 = $45 (105 is their cost before markup).

I really doubt apple uses a static % when making markup. They price things based on what people would pay, the shuffle probably has a horrendous markup while the ipod classic probably has a small markup compared to all the other ipods. Plus ipod prices dont change enough to reflect the change of price in storage. Static % stuff is reserved for raw materials and oil, not really retail products.

Eraserhead

Mar 19, 2008, 07:41 PM

I need a voice recorder for some work I do, it doesn't have to be quality audio, just audible and able to record voices. I can do this with my cheap a$$ voice recorder, but can't do it with the $$$$ Ipod. I'd get an iPod in a minute if it had that, otherwise my next purchase will be some other companies music player that has it.

See http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly/digitalmedia/2007/05/18/ipod-mic-shootout.html?page=3, but to be honest the iPod isn't great at it.

idonotliketostu

Mar 19, 2008, 07:51 PM

apple are such cheapskates with the iPod.. they have begun to give fewer and fewer things in the box....

i remember when i first purchased my 4GB mini... in the box was the Mini, iTunes CD, USB Cable, FireWire Cable, Firewire Power adapter and even a belt clip.... earbuds to go on earphones..

now all that comes in box is ipod and usb cable... the only why apple provid charger with iPhone is coz its a phone and it would probably cause a lot of uproar if they didnt....

this is quite shocking for such a previously generous company....

This is true for almost all apple products.

Which includes

the dvi out cables supplied with the powerbook
the remote controls
the giant book of info on your new apple product, and now a tiny ass packet

But If i was apple, I would do the same lol

epicwelshman

Mar 19, 2008, 07:54 PM

If you need a power adapter, just buy one. Apple may have dropped some items from the box, but they've also dropped the prices quite considerably in real terms

Amen to that. While I would love to get a free dock, charger, remote, case, etc with my iTouch, I'm much happier paying $399 for a revolutionary device than the $499 it may cost with the additional items.

Some people would rather pick and choose their accessories and pay less for the device than pay more and have potentially useless items stuffed in.

puma7

Mar 19, 2008, 09:39 PM

DivideTheOcean

Mar 20, 2008, 05:39 PM

For those saying that it would cost more to put an AC adapter in the box, why don't we just take a look at what they already make on every iPod...

"iSuppli said the lower-priced ($149) 4-Gbyte version of the new nano carries a Bill of Materials (BOM) cost of $58.85 while the $199, 8-Gbyte version comes in at $82.85."

source (http://http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/09/isupplis-nano-t.html)

This was in September 2007. Now how much could a most likely $2 AC adapter cost them to put in the box? Let's be realistic. It does NOT cost them the $30 they charge for that AC adapter.

If you're going to argue the details, please note that the BOM does not include manufacturing, overhead, packaging, shipping fees ("free ground shipping on orders over $50!"), applicable taxes, accessories, software, R&D, marketing and advertising costs, etc. Some of these expenses are very significant.

Besides, the iSuppli figure is only an estimate. Due to volume purchases, the actual BOM may be even cheaper! Only Apple knows the true overall cost.

It may or may not cost only $2 in materials to make the charger, and I will agree that it would be nice if it were priced less than $30, but I doubt we're being ripped off as much as some of us think.

iAussie

Mar 21, 2008, 09:12 AM

I seriously doubt that they're doing this to lower the environmental impact of purchasing an iPod.

I beg to differ with you...http://www.apple.com/environment/design/

They are conscious of the environment and while it may not be the primary reason for not including these items, it could be a secondary one

The site does make some good points, but the fact that the iMac and Mac mini "feature built-in wireless technologies such as AirPort and Bluetooth, reducing the need for PVC-insulated cabling" probably isnt going to be the deal breaker for global warming :rolleyes:

Seriously though, the new boxes are only marginally bigger than the iPod themselves, compared with the original box designs (which yes, did include a few more things, but generally had a fair bit of wasted space). Now they can fit say 3 or 4 times more iPods in the back of a truck/plane, so in getting from the factory to you (which is a long way), thats a lot less trucks and planes, and a lot less emissions. Which when you're shipping millions of them, I suspect adds up.

As for the thread, I think there are 2 issues here;
a) less packaging and more environmentally friendly materials etc
b) included accessories

As marykay9507 suggested, they're generally independent; the reason they dont include a power adaptor anymore isnt because they want to save the environment. It's because Apple don't think everyone needs one and hence they can save themselves some money, and can charge a premium to customers who do want one. Pretty good business move.

The only place where a) and b) are both relevant is the iTunes CD. By not having to manufacture the CD, it probably only saves Apple a couple of cents. But it allows for a considerably smaller box, hence reducing the transport costs dramatically, which is good for both Apple and the environment.

cmcbridejr

Mar 21, 2008, 09:41 AM

You can't get music on the iPod without a computer.

So, it is not really necessary to provide a charger when the iPod can be charged through a computer.

I would like to have a charger included, but Apple must think it makes better business sense to sell the charger as an accessory, as it is not a necessity.

stainlessliquid

Mar 21, 2008, 03:52 PM

The environment? By selling all of those items individually in their own retail boxes they are multiplying the amount of trash they create by a significant margin.

Nick.

Mar 21, 2008, 04:17 PM

What gets me is they don't put in a user manual anymore nor ear bud cloth things. wtf?

Also-
I think taking the iTunes disc out was a bit silly, because what if you don't have the internet and you just want to rip CD's into iTunes, the onto your iPod. You can't because greedy Apple want that 2 cents.

I hate loving Apple products.

zainjetha

Mar 21, 2008, 04:37 PM

How come they give iPhone users an iPod power adapter and not other iPod users...

Creative Zen do, Archos do, mind you not that i would every buy one..

GimmeSlack12

Mar 21, 2008, 04:59 PM

You can't get music on the iPod without a computer.

That is a perfectly logical argument. Simple and correct.
What gets me is they don't put in a user manual anymore nor ear buds. wtf?

Also, who says they don't include ear buds anymore? Yes they do.

Nick.

Mar 21, 2008, 05:05 PM

Sorry, my bad, I mean't the little black things that go over the ear buds.

Mar 21, 2008, 07:07 PM

How come they give iPhone users an iPod power adapter and not other iPod users...

Creative Zen do, Archos do, mind you not that i would every buy one..

I'm not familar with the Creative Zen, but the iPhone is a phone first, what cell phone have you ever bought that DIDN'T come with a charger? How many MP3 players can you buy that don't come with a wall charger, LOTS including the iPod.

daze

Mar 21, 2008, 07:16 PM

I love how many excuses people can come up with to explain the lack of a wall charger. A wall charger is a must for me, and the fact that they don't include it is ridiculous. And, to add insult to injury, they charge $30 to buy one from them.

With due respect, I think you should just buy the wall charger if you can't live with it. Apple is a company, and they do want to maximize their profit margins.

Daze

GimmeSlack12

Mar 21, 2008, 07:20 PM

Sorry, my bad, I mean't the little black things that go over the ear buds.

Oh, in that case. Those cheap bastards!

pbkiller

Mar 23, 2008, 12:33 AM

Ahhhhhh the good ol' days of the firewire cable, dock, wall charger an the little foam covers for the earbuds...... I really miss those, every time i run the headphones just fall off my ear... the foam thingies prevented that. And lets not go to the times when the iPod included THE CABLE REMOTE!!!!!!!!!!!! i still have it, but my iPod Mini finally went to the grave.......:(

sine-nomine

Mar 23, 2008, 01:09 AM

SiliconAddict

Mar 23, 2008, 03:39 PM

i don't think it is a question of being cheap, but more towards reducing the packaging by removing unnecessary items

Sorry but I don't consider a power brick or a case for a device that is excessively scratch prone to be unnecessary. Right now as it stands my newly purchased 5G iPod Classic can't charge anywhere other then on my computer and I had to go out and buy an overpriced case that has aprox $5 in parts for about $35. To make matters worse my Previous iPod Photo that came with a set of video cables for just displaying photos on an external source, which seems to be pointless, came with said ton of accessories vs. my 5G that has the more practical function of displaying real video externally but doesn't come with a video cable. Instead I'm going to need to drop $50 on an accessory that costs Apple maybe. MAYBE $5 in parts and maybe another $5 in shipping and packaging.

Sorry guys but Apple is the new Microsoft when it comes to the music industry and they are screwing their customers over harder then MS ever did. At no point did MS nickel and dime their customers to death like Apple is doing with accessories, iPod Touch updates, 802.11N updates, etc. Apple, sadly, has turned scumbag and frankly if there was ANY alternative to the iPod for syncing with iTunes on a Mac I would have dropped the iPod is a hot second. Instead...I'm stuck with this....this juggernaut of a company who is laughing all the way to the bank with their billions.
The fanbois have lost sight that this is no longer the Apple of yesteryear where it was them against the giants of Microsoft and IBM, and that we need to support our Apple no matter what because they are the underdog and we are doing what is good for the industry. This is the new Apple. They are the corporate juggernaut who is doing the squashing who puts questionable business practices into place and we are stuck with just happily saying yes sir...may I have more....Personally I'm going to start saying no with my next computer. I'm not buying Apple again. If for no other reason then I hate their laptops and the soon to be 6th time I've taken it in for repairs, but that is a different rant, for a different day.

applebum

Mar 23, 2008, 09:59 PM

Sorry but I don't consider a power brick or a case for a device that is excessively scratch prone to be unnecessary. Right now as it stands my newly purchased 5G iPod Classic can't charge anywhere other then on my computer and I had to go out and buy an overpriced case that has aprox $5 in parts for about $35. To make matters worse my Previous iPod Photo that came with a set of video cables for just displaying photos on an external source, which seems to be pointless, came with said ton of accessories vs. my 5G that has the more practical function of displaying real video externally but doesn't come with a video cable. Instead I'm going to need to drop $50 on an accessory that costs Apple maybe. MAYBE $5 in parts and maybe another $5 in shipping and packaging.

More sobbing...

Dude - this isn't a rant, this is just crying like a baby. First, you admitted that your previous iPod came with all the extras, so why do you need a power adapter??? And here you go - a case (for $8.95) similar to the quality that Apple used to include (http://www.hdaccessory.com/servlet/Detail?no=349). Apple clearly states what is in the iPod box, and a case isn't included. But of course it is Apple's fault you paid $35 for a case. And yeah, it will cost you $49 for the AV cables from Apple, but that comes with the power adapter as well. At least be honest while you are crying. And can you please link something that shows that the power adapter and AV cables that are costing you $49 only cost $5 to make and $5 in packaging. I would like to know how much these things cost to produce - bet it is more than $5.

As for all your other stuff - geez if electronic gizmos are making you this miserable and angry, perhaps you should step away from the electronics and do some yoga or take a walk. Life is way too short to get this mad over electronics.

GimmeSlack12

Mar 24, 2008, 12:56 AM

Sorry guys but Apple is the new Microsoft when it comes to the music industry and they are screwing their customers over harder then MS ever did.

Apple is the MS of the music industry? So MS is the MS of the OS industry. What are you trying to say? I still don't see any parallels between Apple and Microsoft. What has Microsoft ever done tries to drive costs up? And if you go back to MS then how are you improving anything in your life? We still get OS X for a fair price.
Apple isn't out to do anyone wrong. Apple is a quality company that provides quality effort in their products.

thegilly

Mar 24, 2008, 01:35 AM

iPods are sold in, what, dozens of countries? Hundreds? Presumably far more than at launch. If they were to include wall adapters with iPods, then they would have to change the factory process to ensure that every iPod has the correct wall adapter for the country it winds up in. You're no longer able to divert a shipment from New Zealand to fill a shortfall in Russia. Or else you irritate customers by supplying a US wall adapter and making them go off and find a plug adapter on their own, and you make them worry about whether the adapter can handle the voltage where they are without exploding (think of all the threads there are on the theme of "OMG I'm going to France/Germany/Spain/Australia/Canada/the wilds of Arkansas will my MacBook work there???"). It's worth the trouble, certainly, to provide the correct local wall charger for a laptop--which has no other way to charge, and is going to be used while plugged in for a good portion of the time. I fail to see how the same case could be made for an iPod.

FWIW, I've never had, used, or wanted a wall adapter for any of my iPods.

SiliconAddict

Mar 24, 2008, 02:50 PM

Apple is the MS of the music industry? So MS is the MS of the OS industry. What are you trying to say? I still don't see any parallels between Apple and Microsoft. What has Microsoft ever done tries to drive costs up? And if you go back to MS then how are you improving anything in your life? We still get OS X for a fair price.
Apple isn't out to do anyone wrong. Apple is a quality company that provides quality effort in their products.

Quality. Yah right. Tell that to the macbook pro that is about to go in for repairs for the second time.....Apple replaced the laptop outright Nov of 06 after then 4th time I took it in. don’t even get me started on the POS that OS X is. I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve locked up Tiger over the last year and a half and the handful of times I’ve done it with Leopard. Again on 2 different systems. I can consistently freeze Leopard by changing networks and then changing locations…instant freeze.

As for what Apple is in comparison to Microsoft. They are the monopoly that has user’s locked in with several proprietary components. And they damn well know it. Apple is not some humble consumer friendly company. They are predatory in every sense of the word.

Dude - this isn't a rant, this is just crying like a baby. First, you admitted that your previous iPod came with all the extras, so why do you need a power adapter???

Maybe because I'm selling the previous iPod or should I pull and Apple and not give the person the adapter? God the fanbois really are out in force. :rolleyes:

GimmeSlack12

Mar 24, 2008, 03:26 PM

I can consistently freeze Leopard by changing networks and then changing locations…instant freeze.

Well, its your decision to use what you use, but is this a common thing to change locations and network to cause freezing? Probably not, but what do I know. Regardless, use whatever OS is out there, but I can't imagine you can be bothered by OS X and then have nothing to say about Windows.
I just find it funny that people either have 0 problems and are happy, or people have a zillion problems and never satisfied. I think its more of a personality type if anything.
Go get an Abacus, maybe that'll ease your pain.

applebum

Mar 24, 2008, 05:29 PM

Maybe because I'm selling the previous iPod or should I pull and Apple and not give the person the adapter? God the fanbois really are out in force. :rolleyes:

If you dare humor this obnoxious fanboi

How much did you pay for your old iPod? How many gigs was it? How long have you had it? How much did you pay for your new Classic? How many gigs was it? How much are you selling your old iPod for? If you didn't include your old charger in the sale, how much would you have to lower the price?

Please answer these few questions, because I would really like to see just how badly Apple is screwing you.