Apple Addressing iPod Touch Screen Issue

[wheatie]

Well the moment everyone has been waiting for (on this board at least), Apple through their prophet, Walt Mossberg of the WSJ have acknowledged the screen issues.

A quote from Walt's article to appear in tomorrow's WSJ,

"Also, some early iPod Touch units have had defective screens, where images appeared too dark. Apple says this problem affected a small number of units and is being remedied. My two test units displayed beautiful images."

Here is a link to Walt Mossberg's entire article/review of the iPod Touch.

http://ptech.allthingsd.com/

If you don't know the background on Walt Mossberg he is one of the big tech columnists who writes for the Wall Street Journal, he has a direct line dialog with Steve Jobs.

I have been wanting a Touch since they were announced. I am one of those who didn't want a contract with AT&T but the essence of an iPhone.

I have been lurking on these boards reading comments way to much. I don't know whether it was a software or hardware issue that has been plaguing the screen (I tend to think it is a software Gamma issue as stated, but have no special knowledge) but I'm just glad it will be fixed.

Now I'll try to find one at Costco and either get one if they arrive tomorrow that is fixed or return it when the screen issue is resolved.

I have no idea what happens from here for all your iPod Touch owners currently, please just wait till they announce and stop returning units, you're making it too hard for the rest of us suckers to buy them!

Update: I just emailed Walt to ask him if he knew anymore on the screen issue, unbelievably he responded. Here is his response,

"I don't know exactly what the problem is or how they will solve it. But they insist it only affected a small number of early units."

Of course, we don't believe this to be true as it appears people getting them as late as today have the issue. I'm just relaying the information to all.

[metalarmed]

yes yes yes! This is awesome news!

[ivi7]

It's about time.

[Sean Dempsey]

"Screengate 2007" coming to a close so soon?

[onionperson654]

Apple says this problem affected a small number of units

..........right, maybe compared to all of the touch units they every plan on selling, but from posters on this board it seemed greater than, say, 80% (although those with defective ipods are probably more likely to post).

Hopefully the rumor that Costco (or at least one Costco) will have them tomorrow is true, but considering no stores other than Best Buy and Apple have gotten them in, I'm not very optomistic.

On the other hand, I had a weekly meeting, and during it thought that this time next week, I'd probably have one in my pocket. (not really one for smiley faces, but keeping in the spirit on the top of this thread!)

Added: The article seemed to suggest that it was a hardware, not gamma shift, issue as there were a number of defective units. The software should all be the same, and one would have expected that if that was the issue, Apple would have fixed it already (they must have known about this issue since the first rumors of it came out.

[RyanG]

So hardware confirmed?

[wheatie]

I spoke with someone at Costco, they said it lists the 20th as they date they will get them on their computer system (this must be a nationwide date for them). She said this doesn't mean they will necessarily be in the stores on the 20th. They said you can call the individual store and give them the item #237352 [Costco designated item # for the iPod Touch (16GB I think/hope)] they can check its status and if it's in yet. She said if it is showing "In Transit" when they look up on their computers than this means it is "arriving that day".

My fingers are crossed it is "In Transit" tomorrow as well so I can get my hands on one!

[Vikinguy]

So, I wonder what the percentage is that are defective. I REALLy wanna go get one tomorrow.

[onionperson654]

Originally Posted by wheatie

I spoke with someone at Costco, they said it lists the 20th as they date they will get them on their computer system (this must be a nationwide date for them). She said this doesn't mean they will necessarily be in the stores on the 20th. They said you can call the individual store and give them the item #237352 [Costco designated item # for the iPod Touch (16GB I think/hope)] they can check its status and if it's in yet. She said if it is showing "In Transit" when they look up on their computers than this means it is "arriving that day".

My fingers are crossed it is "In Transit" tomorrow as well so I can get my hands on one!

Wonderful! Specifics are far better than random rumors.

I tried searching for 237352 on Costco's website under search by item number with no success. I'll try again tomorrow, although I hope I'm not getting my hopes up too high. Plus, because Costco sells them slightly cheaper, they don't list their prices, and you can't order them online (or at least have them shipped), so even if the touch doesn't show up (they still have the last generation listed under ipods) it could mean nothing. Arggg, just more ambiguities.

(even for those not buying at Costco, its a good sign that the touch will be availible before the 28th. The typhoon in Singapore, however, is not the best sign for early releases, although I feel somewhat selfish for considering that when people could by dying/loosing their homes)

[mrkramer]

Originally Posted by Vikinguy

So, I wonder what the percentage is that are defective. I REALLy wanna go get one tomorrow.

I would guess that if it is a hardware problem they are all from one factory and it probably is less than 50% just the people who have the problems are the ones who will post.

[wheatie]

Originally Posted by onionperson654

I tried searching for 237352 on Costco's website under search by item number with no success. I'll try again tomorrow, although I hope I'm not getting my hopes up too high.

They don't sell iPods online at Costco.com; they only sell them in stores. So you won't find the item # online. You'll need to call the individual store and inquire and have them look up the status in the internal Costco computer system they have. She just gave me the item # so they could get the info quicker from their system when I call back. Hopefully the item # she gave me is valid, if not you can describe it as an Apple iPod Touch 16GB and they can look it up that way too.

I hope it is in the stores tomorrow, I've been bitten by the tech bug bad on this one. Just thinking now how I'm going to justify the purchase to my wife. I usually some it up for her and say something like, "It only cost me $70 when you factor in me selling my old iPod and accessories, yada yada. Luckily she doesn't realize how much I must have spent on those other accessories too. Oh well, we all like to spend $$ on different stuff.

Good luck onionperson I hope you get yours tomorrow as well too.

[jmack549]

This is fantastic! I surely hope they replace all of ours! New iPods FTW!

[onionperson654]

Originally Posted by wheatie

I hope it is in the stores tomorrow, I've been bitten by the tech bug bad on this one.

I'm a little worried about that myself. It's not that I don't think I'll love the device (at least post-screen problem) or that even though I know every spec I'll still by fascinated, I'm a little worried that after all of this time reading, discussing, and thinking about it, I know that the fun of having such a great gadget (btw, I've never had an iPod. Been using a palm for mp3s and waiting until a real (i.e. not 5.5) update) won't last as long.

On the other hand, the ability to watch video and have a great MP3 player around might slightly change everyday life, so in that regards it will be with me a LONG time.

Originally Posted by wheatie

Good luck onionperson I hope you get yours tomorrow as well too.

Thanks, you too (and all of the rest of you whom have been waiting in solidarity)!!!

[aidanpendragon]

Wonder if they will announce a serial # range for replacements? Almost have to, since "my screen looks bad" is so subjective.

[Zwhaler]

"Small number of units"... yeah right.

It's okay though, as long as my next one is okay.

[Vikinguy]

Yeah, they should be able to compile that list pretty quick if they know the problem exists and where it came from.

[wizzracer]

Originally Posted by Vikinguy

Yeah, they should be able to compile that list pretty quick if they know the problem exists and where it came from.

I'm sure it will be all those sold since last thursday. Which is all of them and a small number when you compare they will sell over 1 million in the next three months.

Remember we got ours before the actual release date.

[Vikinguy]

So, i suppose it would be best to wait a week or so to go get one?

[onionperson654]

Originally Posted by Vikinguy

So, i suppose it would be best to wait a week or so to go get one?

Or make sure you know the return policy (and restocking fee).

[uburoibob]

kind of a misleading title. And it doesn't rule out a software/firmware fix...

[pushateg7]

Nice just finished reading this article and watching the video. I hope there is more of an official announcement to come very soon. My target purchase date still stands at Sept. 28th (next payday)

[csmitty]

I was at an apple store this evening returning my 16gb. The "genius" (the way he handled an airport thingy before hand made me wonder) said apple has acknowledged it, like above. and that it was a contrast problem that they should be updating soon. I told him i wasn't very confident in that and would still like to return it. He said there would be a restocking fee and i told him that i feel like i should have to pay it. Then i talked to maybe the manager i dunno, who had no idea what the problem was but still got me a full refund which was nice. I was gonna get a nano as an exchange/surprise for someone but they came in while i was there. but anyways. seems like the problem should be fixed soon. So i had a little bit of grief but just persisted.

I found a great deal on a nano so i'm gonna play with that for a while. And once the touchs get resolved and some 3rd party apps and iphone apps get added i'll pick another on up. It will be missed as it was a beautiful device.

[SirCrumpet]

Originally Posted by wheatie

"Apple says this problem affected a small number of units and is being remedied. My two test units displayed beautiful images."

Excellent news - heres hoping it will be fixed for us international orderers and those which still haven't yet been "Prepared for shipment" or shipped

[hdhanani]

Originally Posted by SirCrumpet

Excellent news - heres hoping it will be fixed for us international orderers and those which still haven't yet been "Prepared for shipment" or shipped

Oh yeah... I'm still at "not yet shipped" and it's calming to hear that apple acknowledged the problem and are fixing it... good news for Canadians for sure

[Dijo John]

Originally Posted by hdhanani

Oh yeah... I'm still at "not yet shipped" and it's calming to hear that apple acknowledged the problem and are fixing it... good news for Canadians for sure

Me too.
Would be really convenient if I get a proper unit out of the box without needing to go through the hassle of conducting tests, adjusting images, returning the iPod and all that.