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iPod and iBook Complaints?
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Re: iBooks
I think that's the crux of the problem - that's what's got everyone so mad!! If Apple would only admit their mistake, then we wouldn't all be hopping mad like this!!
Hob
I think that's the crux of the problem - that's what's got everyone so mad!! If Apple would only admit their mistake, then we wouldn't all be hopping mad like this!!
Hob
Re: Re: Die thread die
I hadn't thought of that, but yes! I want a little icon too.
Acutally I was being facetious, I just went through all the posts after ignoring the thread for a while. Vanilla's having a bad time of it though, but it's good to hear iTunes for Europe, not that I care for myself, but I think it's good they will get the same experience and more people buying songs on iTMS is a good thing.
I hadn't thought of that, but yes! I want a little icon too.
Acutally I was being facetious, I just went through all the posts after ignoring the thread for a while. Vanilla's having a bad time of it though, but it's good to hear iTunes for Europe, not that I care for myself, but I think it's good they will get the same experience and more people buying songs on iTMS is a good thing.
Weel, thanks to all of you that actually posted on the topic of iPod and iBook complaints. My iBook 600 has been showing its age and I was considering a new one, but have decided to wait. The logic board and screen issues concern me. I can wait a bit longer before I drop the $$.
For awhile there- I was considering starting a thread called, "the squeeky noise/gap is a feature" to try and attract all the trolls. Blissfully, the iPod thread seems to have accomplished that.
Hope Apple addresses the problem for you.
Thanks again ...
For awhile there- I was considering starting a thread called, "the squeeky noise/gap is a feature" to try and attract all the trolls. Blissfully, the iPod thread seems to have accomplished that.
Hope Apple addresses the problem for you.
Thanks again ...
Just as an FYI, the iPod battery issue is now being noted in the UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3477497.stm
Note I am not gloating, I am not happy about this, but Apple have only themselves to blame for this state of affairs.
I have no problem in owning a product run by a battery that will degrade over time. Of course batteries degrade. I own a cellphone by way of example. When the battery degrades I go down to my local cellphone shop, buy a new battery and install it myself. This is the norm for all electrical items I own that are powered by batteries.
But to Market a battery driven product costing hundreds of pounds that has no facility to allow the user to replace its power source simply, other than handing it back to the manufacturer either under warranty if it happens within one year or for a fee if it fails outside of the warranty (US only), is just stupid. Not to mention that the out of warranty service is STILL not available in the UK.
Look, its a battery driven product, re-design the thing so that a user can purchase Apple replacement batteries from resellers and install it themselves. End of problem.
Vanilla
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3477497.stm
Note I am not gloating, I am not happy about this, but Apple have only themselves to blame for this state of affairs.
I have no problem in owning a product run by a battery that will degrade over time. Of course batteries degrade. I own a cellphone by way of example. When the battery degrades I go down to my local cellphone shop, buy a new battery and install it myself. This is the norm for all electrical items I own that are powered by batteries.
But to Market a battery driven product costing hundreds of pounds that has no facility to allow the user to replace its power source simply, other than handing it back to the manufacturer either under warranty if it happens within one year or for a fee if it fails outside of the warranty (US only), is just stupid. Not to mention that the out of warranty service is STILL not available in the UK.
Look, its a battery driven product, re-design the thing so that a user can purchase Apple replacement batteries from resellers and install it themselves. End of problem.
Vanilla
Maybe there would have been even more problems of a different nature if the design had been any different.
I am looking at my cordless mouse, and although it isnt exactly flimsy, it does flex where the casing is removable to get to the rechargeable battery. Judging by the adverts, people go crazy dancing when they have their iPod, so that requires a fairly bombproof case, and in that instance, the iPod design is spot on.
Also, it is evident that for most people, the batteries do last if they are looked after. It is the new trend though to place responsibility for everything on the shoulders of someone else. Apple taught the world how to use a mouse, do they really have to teach everyone how to treat a battery that is found in thousands of other electronic devices?
I suppose a huge red note in the manual would help, but really, most people dont care to read up about something like battery care, they just assume stuff - rechargeable means it has a memory, or maybe it works better if it is left on constant charge, or whatever other battery care techniques have come and gone over the years. Then when they are down the road and the battery is suffering, then they maybe read up about what they have been doing wrong, and kabaam. A class action.
I am looking at my cordless mouse, and although it isnt exactly flimsy, it does flex where the casing is removable to get to the rechargeable battery. Judging by the adverts, people go crazy dancing when they have their iPod, so that requires a fairly bombproof case, and in that instance, the iPod design is spot on.
Also, it is evident that for most people, the batteries do last if they are looked after. It is the new trend though to place responsibility for everything on the shoulders of someone else. Apple taught the world how to use a mouse, do they really have to teach everyone how to treat a battery that is found in thousands of other electronic devices?
I suppose a huge red note in the manual would help, but really, most people dont care to read up about something like battery care, they just assume stuff - rechargeable means it has a memory, or maybe it works better if it is left on constant charge, or whatever other battery care techniques have come and gone over the years. Then when they are down the road and the battery is suffering, then they maybe read up about what they have been doing wrong, and kabaam. A class action.
OK - After being bombarded by non-Apple afficianados regarding the (lack of) battery life of the new iPods, I've finally waded through this thread and have come to some interesting decisions...
I'm not afraid of opening my iPod to replace the battery myself AT ALL.
And because of that, I have absolutely NO reservations in buying - or RECOMMENDING to anyone interested in buying - an iPod.
Think of my line of work - I'm a cameraman by trade, who relies on Li-ion and Ni-Cd rechargable batteries to supply power to my camera - with each one lasting a little under an hour with a full charge. On average, my 5 batteries (of which I cycle useage to even out and extend their life expectancy) have to be replaced at least every 2 years - at a cost of £300 EACH...
Therefore, I find it not disconcerting in the slightest that I would have to replace a Li-ion battery in the worlds' sexiest MP3 player - considering it would have previously given me HOURS of pleasure in the process (AND the replacement battery would have ONLY cost me @ £30 in adjusted currency...).
I'm not afraid of opening my iPod to replace the battery myself AT ALL.
And because of that, I have absolutely NO reservations in buying - or RECOMMENDING to anyone interested in buying - an iPod.
Think of my line of work - I'm a cameraman by trade, who relies on Li-ion and Ni-Cd rechargable batteries to supply power to my camera - with each one lasting a little under an hour with a full charge. On average, my 5 batteries (of which I cycle useage to even out and extend their life expectancy) have to be replaced at least every 2 years - at a cost of £300 EACH...
Therefore, I find it not disconcerting in the slightest that I would have to replace a Li-ion battery in the worlds' sexiest MP3 player - considering it would have previously given me HOURS of pleasure in the process (AND the replacement battery would have ONLY cost me @ £30 in adjusted currency...).
From the that must of been frightning when Apple held a gun to your head department
First, how much does a battery for your cellphone cost? I checked on mine, and guess what it costs 39.95 and I don't believe it is even covered under a warrenty, but if it is I can't imagine that warrenty goes past a year.
Is it annoying that a dead battery requires dismantling the device? Yeah a little, but I don't remember Apple forcing anyone to buy an iPod, in fact I believe it is the customer's responsibility[B/] to recognize a product's inherent flaws, so long as they're not hidden. The exploding Pinto for example.
The iPod had an internal battery that could not be easily replaced, this was true with the first 5GB iPod and is true now. The product faulted for a few people, who I am sure, didn't treat their battery correctly and are now complaining, and now suing. :rollseyes:
It reminds me of a friend who would wait until his car was just out of gas, and only when running on fumes would he fill it up. He did this so often that his fuel pumps kept failing, he went through 3 or 4 before he went and talked to a lawyer who said he could bring up a class action suit, except the company pointed out to him (as I had) that the fuel pump requires fuel as a lubricant, without it the pump dries up and fails. Whose fault is it? The car company who even stated in the manual how to care for such things? Or my dumbass friend?
Did Apple make a mistake in designing the iPod without a removable battery, in hindsight yes, not because it was poor design, but rather because they did not foresee the litigiousness of the average consumer and their inability to read a manual or take care of something they spent hundreds of dollars for.
And for the last time, you can replace the battery on your own:
http://www.ipodbattery.com/
Lastly, I'm not defending just Apple, I hate the overt and constant litigiousness of our modern society. We're so damn busy suing each other for every little perceived slight, for every opportunity where common sense should have ruled. Consumers are becoming more and more irresponsible to the point of blind stupidity, resulting in such rediculousness as warning labels on hair dryers reading 'do not use in shower.'
Have we really become so stupid?
First, how much does a battery for your cellphone cost? I checked on mine, and guess what it costs 39.95 and I don't believe it is even covered under a warrenty, but if it is I can't imagine that warrenty goes past a year.
Is it annoying that a dead battery requires dismantling the device? Yeah a little, but I don't remember Apple forcing anyone to buy an iPod, in fact I believe it is the customer's responsibility[B/] to recognize a product's inherent flaws, so long as they're not hidden. The exploding Pinto for example.
The iPod had an internal battery that could not be easily replaced, this was true with the first 5GB iPod and is true now. The product faulted for a few people, who I am sure, didn't treat their battery correctly and are now complaining, and now suing. :rollseyes:
It reminds me of a friend who would wait until his car was just out of gas, and only when running on fumes would he fill it up. He did this so often that his fuel pumps kept failing, he went through 3 or 4 before he went and talked to a lawyer who said he could bring up a class action suit, except the company pointed out to him (as I had) that the fuel pump requires fuel as a lubricant, without it the pump dries up and fails. Whose fault is it? The car company who even stated in the manual how to care for such things? Or my dumbass friend?
Did Apple make a mistake in designing the iPod without a removable battery, in hindsight yes, not because it was poor design, but rather because they did not foresee the litigiousness of the average consumer and their inability to read a manual or take care of something they spent hundreds of dollars for.
And for the last time, you can replace the battery on your own:
http://www.ipodbattery.com/
Lastly, I'm not defending just Apple, I hate the overt and constant litigiousness of our modern society. We're so damn busy suing each other for every little perceived slight, for every opportunity where common sense should have ruled. Consumers are becoming more and more irresponsible to the point of blind stupidity, resulting in such rediculousness as warning labels on hair dryers reading 'do not use in shower.'
Have we really become so stupid?
I see the litigous people as not having done enough research. First off:
1. Lithium batteries are heat sensitive. They drain quicker when not between 50 F and 85 F. So if you have the battery out in the cold, of course it will run for maybe 4 instead of 8 hours. Same if you put it against something hot like in your pants pocket which is next to the 98.6 F body temperature if you have tight jeans.
2. Now there are two external attachment options. One that takes standard AA batteries including rechargeable AA batteries and is compatible with iPods made since May 2003, and itself was made available when those iPods came out. Belkin makes it. For $60 you have an unlimited battery replacement life with standard AA batteries. That's even cheaper than Apple's $99 replacement program, and does not require your losing your stored songs on the iPod. Not to mention it brings the iPod's battery life to 20 hours! Next there is an external lithium pack which works both on the older generation and newer generation iPods that was just announced at Macworld.
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=148969
http://www.batterytech.com/ipod_info/iPod_info.htm
For more info visit http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/
1. Lithium batteries are heat sensitive. They drain quicker when not between 50 F and 85 F. So if you have the battery out in the cold, of course it will run for maybe 4 instead of 8 hours. Same if you put it against something hot like in your pants pocket which is next to the 98.6 F body temperature if you have tight jeans.
2. Now there are two external attachment options. One that takes standard AA batteries including rechargeable AA batteries and is compatible with iPods made since May 2003, and itself was made available when those iPods came out. Belkin makes it. For $60 you have an unlimited battery replacement life with standard AA batteries. That's even cheaper than Apple's $99 replacement program, and does not require your losing your stored songs on the iPod. Not to mention it brings the iPod's battery life to 20 hours! Next there is an external lithium pack which works both on the older generation and newer generation iPods that was just announced at Macworld.
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=148969
http://www.batterytech.com/ipod_info/iPod_info.htm
For more info visit http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/
why is the battery life so much shorter than other players?
why is the ipod's battery life so much shorter compared to some of the other players that have been released recently, from rio, iriver, etc. ? The weight difference seems negligible. Is apple going to fix this?
why is the ipod's battery life so much shorter compared to some of the other players that have been released recently, from rio, iriver, etc. ? The weight difference seems negligible. Is apple going to fix this?
Re: why is the battery life so much shorter than other players?
Shorter? 8 hours is shorter? Nothing to fix there. Firewire takes more power than USB, but then again is much faster. Even USB 2 while its official spec is 480 Mbps only goes about 150 Mbps. And with the half hour skip protection and brighter screen I don't know how you are going to be able to get more battery life. If you aren't getting the optimal battery life, you are either:
1. keeping the iPod in an area that has too much cold or warmth. This is a problem for all Lithium batteries
2. attempting to recharge while it hasn't drained at least 50% but not more than 99%
3. are frequently switching the songs in the player (like once every 5 minutes) instead of once every half hour.
For more on the iPod battery and alternatives to keep it going longer visit:
http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.html
Shorter? 8 hours is shorter? Nothing to fix there. Firewire takes more power than USB, but then again is much faster. Even USB 2 while its official spec is 480 Mbps only goes about 150 Mbps. And with the half hour skip protection and brighter screen I don't know how you are going to be able to get more battery life. If you aren't getting the optimal battery life, you are either:
1. keeping the iPod in an area that has too much cold or warmth. This is a problem for all Lithium batteries
2. attempting to recharge while it hasn't drained at least 50% but not more than 99%
3. are frequently switching the songs in the player (like once every 5 minutes) instead of once every half hour.
For more on the iPod battery and alternatives to keep it going longer visit:
http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.html
iBook Screen
My sons iBook purchased about 14 months ago started having screen problems. If you pushed the screen back beyond 90 degrees the backlight would go out. Everything else worked fine. No software or startup problems.
My wife took the laptop to the Mall of America Apple Store for repair (I was home sick with the flu).
She called me from the store practically in tears. The Apple sales person was trying to talk her into spending $50 bucks on backing up the hard drive. Not that backing up is ever a bad idea but he was doing everything but telling her she was stupid for not doing it. She explained her frustration and confusion. I told her that the problem has hardware and there was no need for a back up because all of the vital data were on our other Mac. She asked to speak to a manager and complained about the sales persons attitude and the policy of pressuring rather than explaining the back up procedure. My wife is a consummate sales person with a passion for customer service and she felt the need to explain the poor way she was being treated.
I remember my mom saying, Never piss off the chef because hell spit in your food.
You can probably see whats coming. When I picked up the iBook from the store on Saturday and fired it up in the store I got the beautiful sign in/registration screen that I hadnt seen since we fired it up the day I brought it home.
The hard drive was empty except for System 10.2 and the applications Apple puts there (they didnt even bother to install Panther!).
Sitting there at the Genius Bar with the store manager looking over my shoulder, he admitted it was very unusual. He looked the repair order and according to the Apple technicians notes the iBook would not boot up.
Is it Apples policy to erase a customers hard drive if they cannot get it to boot up during a repair or was it empty when it got there? Suspicious.
Now I know I should have requested a backup and a hundred things could have happened to the laptop while in Apples hands, being shipped, etc. But Im feeling that something malicious happened.
Any ideas on how I can check the drive for any record of system software being deleted or otherwise messed with? Anyone at Apple I can talk to?
Thanks!
My sons iBook purchased about 14 months ago started having screen problems. If you pushed the screen back beyond 90 degrees the backlight would go out. Everything else worked fine. No software or startup problems.
My wife took the laptop to the Mall of America Apple Store for repair (I was home sick with the flu).
She called me from the store practically in tears. The Apple sales person was trying to talk her into spending $50 bucks on backing up the hard drive. Not that backing up is ever a bad idea but he was doing everything but telling her she was stupid for not doing it. She explained her frustration and confusion. I told her that the problem has hardware and there was no need for a back up because all of the vital data were on our other Mac. She asked to speak to a manager and complained about the sales persons attitude and the policy of pressuring rather than explaining the back up procedure. My wife is a consummate sales person with a passion for customer service and she felt the need to explain the poor way she was being treated.
I remember my mom saying, Never piss off the chef because hell spit in your food.
You can probably see whats coming. When I picked up the iBook from the store on Saturday and fired it up in the store I got the beautiful sign in/registration screen that I hadnt seen since we fired it up the day I brought it home.
The hard drive was empty except for System 10.2 and the applications Apple puts there (they didnt even bother to install Panther!).
Sitting there at the Genius Bar with the store manager looking over my shoulder, he admitted it was very unusual. He looked the repair order and according to the Apple technicians notes the iBook would not boot up.
Is it Apples policy to erase a customers hard drive if they cannot get it to boot up during a repair or was it empty when it got there? Suspicious.
Now I know I should have requested a backup and a hundred things could have happened to the laptop while in Apples hands, being shipped, etc. But Im feeling that something malicious happened.
Any ideas on how I can check the drive for any record of system software being deleted or otherwise messed with? Anyone at Apple I can talk to?
Thanks!
Re: iBook Screen
AppleCare - they have a customer relations office at 1-800-APLCARE which can be requested once you start to speak to a customer service representative. Oh and by the way, if your iBook's serial number matches the repair program listed here, it won't matter you are out of AppleCare:
http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/
AppleCare - they have a customer relations office at 1-800-APLCARE which can be requested once you start to speak to a customer service representative. Oh and by the way, if your iBook's serial number matches the repair program listed here, it won't matter you are out of AppleCare:
http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/
iBook's have always been notoriously known for faulty logic boards. Also you can't expect the video to be great on a entry class laptop.
iPod's Apple definately needs to do something about the battery. The battery story is spreading and fast and they need to announce some sort of new reliable batter before it starts to hurt sales.
iPod's Apple definately needs to do something about the battery. The battery story is spreading and fast and they need to announce some sort of new reliable batter before it starts to hurt sales.
Please read my prior posts about the iPod battery in this thread.
There is NO PROBLEM WITH THE IPOD.
Read http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/
and point it out to those who believe there is a problem with the iPod battery. The problem is a myth that has spread because of the LIES told by the Neistat brothers. They didn't register their domain until A WEEK AFTER Apple started the iPod warranty, 5 months after Belkin released the external battery pack for the iPod which takes STANDARD AA BATTERIES which was also released simultaneously with the 3rd Generation iPods. BT even has an external battery pack for older iPods. The iPod battery problem is a big lie. And those saying the problem exists in the media are nothing but irresponsible journalists who don't do enough research.
Read http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/
Learn about Lithium batteries, and you will realize the press is just jealous.
What problem? OK, it might be able to handle hot or cold, but no Lithium battery can. Just reset the iPod (holding play and menu simultaneously for several seconds) when connected to power, and charge overnight. You should be ready to go. That's why there are belt packs to hold the iPod and protect it against the elements.
Re: Re: why is the battery life so much shorter than other players?
The 40GB iriver
http://www.iriveramerica.com/estore/ihp-140.htm
has a 16 hour battery life! 8 hours is definitely shorter!
So my question is ... what's stopping the iPod?
The 40GB iriver
http://www.iriveramerica.com/estore/ihp-140.htm
has a 16 hour battery life! 8 hours is definitely shorter!
So my question is ... what's stopping the iPod?
Re: Re: Re: why is the battery life so much shorter than other players?
No Firewire
6.5 ounces
The 40 GB iPod is 6.2 ounces, and the 20 GB iPod is 5.6 ounces.
Probably does not have as easy to use interface
No AAC compatibility
And thanks to Belkin, I get 20 hours battery life on my iPod.
No Firewire
6.5 ounces
The 40 GB iPod is 6.2 ounces, and the 20 GB iPod is 5.6 ounces.
Probably does not have as easy to use interface
No AAC compatibility
And thanks to Belkin, I get 20 hours battery life on my iPod.
Should I get an iPod warranty for my new 3G?
I'm slammin' happy about my new 20GB iPod, but haven't decided whether to spend another $59 for the 2-year warranty.
Since it's basically a hard drive (and hard drives have been known to go on the blink), is it worth getting?
What gets me is that the warranty is only 2 years, not 3 like other Mac hardware.
And since those wild and crazy Neistat bros. discovered that their battery didn't last more than 18 months, am I really just paying for 6 months of extra battery replacement under the warranty until I hit 2 years?
I'm slammin' happy about my new 20GB iPod, but haven't decided whether to spend another $59 for the 2-year warranty.
Since it's basically a hard drive (and hard drives have been known to go on the blink), is it worth getting?
What gets me is that the warranty is only 2 years, not 3 like other Mac hardware.
And since those wild and crazy Neistat bros. discovered that their battery didn't last more than 18 months, am I really just paying for 6 months of extra battery replacement under the warranty until I hit 2 years?
Re: iBook Screen
You can check the drive, but it's a complicated procedure and really won't tell you much. Possibly the guy pulled your drive because he thought the problem might be there, realized it wasn't, put it back in and nuked the data to be sure that wasn't the problem. Or maybe the guy's a jerk. When I sent my Powerbook in they did ask if I wanted to pay for hard-drive backup and I didn't because I have it all done on my iPod, and they stated they were not responsible for any data loss, which I understand. I think it's possible the guy was just being a jerk, but you waste more time than necessary trying to figure it out. Throw Panther back on (I don't know why they didn't do that) and be done with it, and since you've let the manager know someone is already in trouble, the Apple managers appear to be pretty hardcore.
[edit, I tried to not quote the entire post and I failed.]
You can check the drive, but it's a complicated procedure and really won't tell you much. Possibly the guy pulled your drive because he thought the problem might be there, realized it wasn't, put it back in and nuked the data to be sure that wasn't the problem. Or maybe the guy's a jerk. When I sent my Powerbook in they did ask if I wanted to pay for hard-drive backup and I didn't because I have it all done on my iPod, and they stated they were not responsible for any data loss, which I understand. I think it's possible the guy was just being a jerk, but you waste more time than necessary trying to figure it out. Throw Panther back on (I don't know why they didn't do that) and be done with it, and since you've let the manager know someone is already in trouble, the Apple managers appear to be pretty hardcore.
[edit, I tried to not quote the entire post and I failed.]