iPod Nano Class Action Suit

[avus]

I still don't understand. He forgot the woman's name, what's the big deal? You sound like another apple apologist to me.

It is essential to give a proof if you try to make a serious argument about the company's ethic, IMHO.

Honestly, I was going to buy a Nano but I will keep my Mini for a little longer to see how this plays out. If I were an Apple apologist, I would simply cry out that everything is perfect, correct?

Still, this is a very subjective issue, less so than the battery issue, and it is a very difficult case to prove that all the damages were caused by "normal use" and not by people grinding with sandpapers. Again, I am not saying that Apple doesn't have an issue.

 

[~Shard~]

Don't know how hard it would be but they should use some quartz covers or something. I'll be damned if my Seiko watch ever gets a scratch...ever.

jon

Good thought, I wonder how much more expensive something like that would be...

 

[tsk]

It seems to me there are two issues people here are discussing: scratching of the screen and scratching of the plastic.

If the Nano is made out of the same material as my iBook, I'm sure they are *impossible* to not scratch. My iBook is filled with tons and tons of *tiny* scratches all over. You do have to look very closely, but they are all over the place. I have also treated my iBook very gently in the few months I had it. I'm guessing the iBook and Nano material is the same and I'm guessing the white material does scratch easily (and is probably even more noticable in black).

As far as the screen, I have no knowledge of it. But it should be able to go in your pocket without fear. I have a digital voice recorder with a plastic face I toss in my pocket and it has yet to scratch. The plastic body has taken a few scratches but nothing on the screen. So I think the screen ought to be more durable than it sounds like it is.

 

[wmikulic]

I suppose this is what happens when you start bringing more Windoze users into the fold.

And I'd LOVE to see how any lawyer's going to prove that because a plastic screen can get scratched when it comes in contact with sharp devices, it somehow means the product is "defective" Idiots!

This is not limited to Windoze users, the so-called "Apple Faithful" have also whined over the years about any deterioration in their Apple products. Remember this?

It's the Macintosh G4 cube. It was the envy of every Macintosh user in its day. In a photograph, it looks like a beautiful piece of crystal. And in person, it has casting lines in the plastic, which infuriated a great many of those who purchased it. Did the cube still work? Perfectly (although mine had its hard drive die after a few months and Apple sent me a free replacement) but yes, its appearance was not perfect.

Neither will the Nano be, after some use.

But I think Apple could have made some manufacturing improvements over the years. Materials Science is an impressive field, and I know they could have used a harder substance less prone to scratching. Many materials don't scratch except with sharp contact with very hard substances such as corundum. Materials as soft as wood pulp and cotton fibers should not scratch iPods, but they do, and that's the design flaw that should be fixed.

 

[Jon the Heretic]

Nice.

No seriously; I'd get an eye exam if I were you. You could be a danger to those on the road around you. I DO have corrected vision and I have no problem seeing those hundreds of scratches on my black nano or those at the local Apple store.

This is not limited to Windoze users, the so-called "Apple Faithful" have also whined over the years about any deterioration in their Apple products. Remember this?

It's the Macintosh G4 cube. It was the envy of every Macintosh user in its day. In a photograph, it looks like a beautiful piece of crystal. And in person, it has casting lines in the plastic, which infuriated a great many of those who purchased it.

Verdict is still out on the cube. Apple said it was "casting lines" and maybe they are (I don't own a cube; I DO own a week old nano) but I have read dozens of cube complaints that made me question Apple's claim. (the irregularlity of some of the lines; the fact that sometimes they appeared after use, but not when brand new). Apple could be right, but thier denial of having even heard of complaints about the nano's (in itself a response to some complaints!!!) is a lot like the boy who cried wolf. Love Apple and Apple products, but I wouldn't put it past them to lie through their teeth if it suited their needs (or any big heartless corporation for that matter), especially if they thought they had a chance of deniability.

I do agree about the materials. But even a cursory inspection of this product---much akin to my use of the nano---would have revealed that Houston (um, Cupertino) had a problem. Do they even do product testing? What about all of those abused bunnies we hear about? Ah, nevermind.

As a mini owner too, I had HOPED Apple would go for some sort of metal enclosure again. The durability of the mini's finish is awesome, better than any other iPod release. I am sure they could have gotten the same form factor with aluminum.

 

[atomwork]

Little sucker

I bought a Nano and love it however it is true that this bloody thing scratches hell easy. I don't want to have it in a case. Apple really messed up here. It looks gorgeous but it is just too sensitive for my taste.

The lawsuite is BS in my view. Sounds like those idiots are just in for the money. I still can ready the display. It just sucks to have the little beauty scratched

 

[Jon the Heretic]

I'm with you here!

I bought a Nano and love it however it is true that this bloody thing scratches hell easy. I don't want to have it in a case. Apple really messed up here. It looks gorgeous but it is just too sensitive for my taste.

The lawsuite is BS in my view. Sounds like those idiots are just in for the money. I still can ready the display. It just sucks to have the little beauty scratched

Totally agree on all points. But only the lawyers will get any money. Apple will never fix the scratch issue on existing nanos even if they lost the suit. Best a current nano owner could hope for is some crappy coupon towards Apple products ($25 to $50 is typical). Kinda worthless to me -- my brand new nano was $250 plus tax and shipping -- and it doesn't make my barely used nano any prettier.

 

[autrefois]

I agree that the plaintiffs shouldn't be asking for a share of Apple's profits from the nano. If Apple is found guilty, the plaintiffs should be reimbursed for their purchase and/or receive a replacement and/or if deemed appropriate, Apple should be forced to pay punitive damages.

Additionally, people who go defy manufacturer recommendations for proper usage and care should not be reimbursed for any damages caused.

However, Apple shouldn't make products that scratch so easily. If they scratch that easily, they should come with a case to protect them or else be made differently. Any product that scratches easily after minimal, careful usage is defective in the mind of any reasonable consumer. There are even reports (including from devilot76) of nanos scratching after a week despite having a protective case and being handled carefully.

People who say the problem doesn't exist appear in general to be people who 1) don't want to admit Apple can make mistakes and/or 2) think they are superior to the average user and this sort of problem would never happen to them and/or 3) believe that if it didn't happen to them, then there must not be a real problem and/or 4) there is some secret conspiracy against Apple.

This gives a bad name to more open-minded, rational Mac/iPod users who I like to believe are the silent majority among us here in the forums.

I hope that whoever has a scratched nano despite taking care of it and following instructions gets what they deserve—no share of nano profits, just reimbursement or replacement (and possibly small punitive damages only if deemed appropriate). Those who abused their nanos should receive nothing.

 

[oskar]

I still think this is just an attempt from Apple's competitors to try to lower their holiday sales. I can imagine guys from creative pulling their hair out everytime they hear the quarterly financial results and iPod sales growth every time.

When I got my 4G iPod at first I remember taking caring of it like it was a baby. Once I started leaving it on any surface and throwing it in my backpack (in it's case) it started getting small scratches everywhere. I even remember when I bought a 20GB iPod Apple case for my 40GB because the clerk told me it did fit my iPod. The first day I had my iPod I scratched it with an iPod case, how stupid. The biggest scratch it got was also when I was cleaning it. Seriously. I don't blame the quality of my iPod or the plastic it's made with. I blame it on myself for wanting it to stay new and shiny all the time and wiping it clean every 5 minutes. Cleaning it once in a while is okay but I think we're a bit obsessive/excessive from time to time.
My iPod's not like new, but that's why I bought the scratch remover/polish for my current iPod and 5G iPod I plan to buy next week.

 

[Benjamindaines]

there is something seriously wrong with these people. My nephew got an ipod for christmas, his screen is completely smashed (no idea what happened). He has never asked for a new one or complained about it because it still plays the music just fine.

 

[padrino121]

Like a bunch of lemmings

I can't believe how illogical a good number of these posts are. To apply the same logic I see here comparing it to an old quality issue with the Ford Pinto. When I got hit frim behind my car didn't blow up, therefore there is nothing wrong with the car. With thinking like that it makes me wonder how some of you can breathe unassisted.

 

[oskar]

there is something seriously wrong with these people. My nephew got an ipod for christmas, his screen is completely smashed (no idea what happened). He has never asked for a new one or complained about it because it still plays the music just fine.

I guess the mind of a kid is a lot more innocent than the mind of the people who think they deserve other people's fortune because they bought an MP3 player and are unhappy about it's quality.
But still, your nephew must have a different iPod since you say he got it for Christmas.

We should just wait and see what becomes of this issue in the next weeks/months. Until I get a nano I really can't say the nanos don't get scratched easily, but the lawsuit demanding profit made from the product kind of gives these people away.

 

[Benjamindaines]

your nephew must have a different iPod since you say he got it for Christmas.

Yes, it's a 4G (B&W)

 

[MontyZ]

.

 

[floatingspirit]

at first I said, I dont really care about scratches on my nano.

Now that the thing looks like it has been used for a year, I will agree with others and say that it does scratch very easily. To easily in fact. I have done nothing but carry it in my pocket like Steve did on the keynote.

If you don't have a nano, let me reassure you scratches are a problem, and if it takes a lawsuit for Apple to sit up and notice, then I say good.

Was there anything else in your pocket? I made the mistake of putting my keys in with my cell phone and the screen has never been the same since! Wont do that again!

I can't believe how illogical a good number of these posts are. To apply the same logic I see here comparing it to an old quality issue with the Ford Pinto. When I got hit frim behind my car didn't blow up, therefore there is nothing wrong with the car. With thinking like that it makes me wonder how some of you can breathe unassisted.

Dude....

 

[Koodauw]

Was there anything else in your pocket? I made the mistake of putting my keys in with my cell phone and the screen has never been the same since! Wont do that again!

Nope, I just carry it in change pocket just like Steve did in the Keynote. There isnt room for anything else. Except maybe some lint.

 

[baummer]

Firstly, it's ASSININE to expect a share of the profits from Nano sales. There are no grounds for this whatsoever. Secondly, I believe Apple should do something to appease these defective units, but also plan better for the future in such a way:

- Include a warning card that the screen may become scratched and to use the enclosed lint-free cloth to wipe away scratches.

- Include a soft, lint-free cloth (like you get with glasses).

However, I would not be opposed to using a different material or chemical to treat the screens. Something along the lines of plexiglass or some other strong, but lightweight, plastic material coated with a scratch-resistant solution.

 

[plastikimo]

- Include a soft, lint-free cloth (like you get with glasses).

Its a shame they don't include it, we pay 300 and they cant causgh up a 50 cent rag.

However, I would not be opposed to using a different material or chemical to treat the screens. Something along the lines of plexiglass or some other strong, but lightweight, plastic material coated with a scratch-resistant solution.

They should use that crap that toshiba developed for the HD/DVDs for scratch resistance.

Apple should have fixed this problem. Laptop screen pixels die. OS updates killed the firewire on my last computer....

Thats why you buy AppleCare.

 

[decksnap]

Oh My God! I can't understand this. The bottom line is, if the scratches cause the machine to be unuseable, AND were caused by 'normal' use, then there is an issue. If not, suck it up! They're scratches, not chicken pox. If you REALLY can't read the screen anymore, you have a problem, but I suspect that there are very few people who can say this is the case.

Take a look at your car with the sunlight reflecting off of it- The exterior, the odometer coverings, the radio controls... Scratches! Thousands of them! Millions of tiny scratches!!! They're just staring at you whispering... "sue..sue.. sue..". I never even put my car stereo inside my jeans pocket and it's still scratched up.

Unless it's rendered unuseable, it's all part of buying and using a product. Whoever posted the sneaker analogy is pretty close... They are intended to be worn everywhere, literally on the ground, yet they're still sold in white and in materials that get dirty extremely easily. Where's the outrage? My new sneakers are stained and tinted the first day I wear them.

 

[maya]

If "a few" scratches make the Nano's screen unreadable for you, My Unc is an optometrist, and he can fix that for you.

I believe you have that analogy reversed. Since my eye sight rating is 20/20 or 6/6 depends if you live in the East or West of the, my sight is perfect. If you cannot see the scratches on the screen and it does not bother you great. I however would be bothered by it, hence the whole purpose of a screen. If you have scratches on your front windshield of your car it makes it annoying to most, not necessary yourself.

I didn't pay for an mp3 player with a great looking screen and it being marketed as such for daily use for it to be scratches. Same applies for a car, you don't test drive or after owning the car for a few days with scratches on the windshield, you have a warranty period, usually one year.

I dislike people who have to side with Apple for everything they do, geez its like Steve Jobs is giving you some money or an iPod to stick up for them, they have lawyers for that very reason they do not need fans to stick up for they faults and shortcomings. Its a matter of Apple marketing something and being cheap to apply a diamond coat on the product, when they are selling many of these units.

Customer Satisfaction is No. 1, and the Customer is always right., remember that, without customers you have no business.

 

[xnu]

I just discovered I own an iPod Nano. And further it has scratches. I think the only thing that would be fair is that Apple grants me 1000 shares of their stock and a lifetime supply of paper towels (since it appears that product was also defective).

 

[~Shard~]

Oh My God! I can't understand this. The bottom line is, if the scratches cause the machine to be unuseable, AND were caused by 'normal' use, then there is an issue. If not, suck it up! They're scratches, not chicken pox. If you REALLY can't read the screen anymore, you have a problem, but I suspect that there are very few people who can say this is the case.

Take a look at your car with the sunlight reflecting off of it- The exterior, the odometer coverings, the radio controls... Scratches! Thousands of them! Millions of tiny scratches!!! They're just staring at you whispering... "sue..sue.. sue..". I never even put my car stereo inside my jeans pocket and it's still scratched up.

Unless it's rendered unuseable, it's all part of buying and using a product. Whoever posted the sneaker analogy is pretty close... They are intended to be worn everywhere, literally on the ground, yet they're still sold in white and in materials that get dirty extremely easily. Where's the outrage? My new sneakers are stained and tinted the first day I wear them.

I agree with you on the whole functionality aspect (i.e. if it still plays music and does what it's supposed to do, who cares?). I think your example of a car is a good one too. First off, if it has scratches, paint chips, etc., does it mean the car doesn't perform its function? Of course not. Secondly, one could argue that a car is still drivable if it is completely covered in rust, but is that acceptable? This is where the whole "user care" concept comes into play. If you want your item of purchase to be in excellent shape, treat it with care and take the necessary precautions. Simple.

I have no doubts that people have legitimate issues with their nanos, and I think it's reasonable to expect certain levels of quality from Apple, but this whole suing thing is what always gets me - in cases like this it just seems like a bunch of whiners wanting something for nothing, i.e. a share of the profits. Sometimes life ain't fair, get used to it.

 

[maya]

Oh My God! I can't understand this. The bottom line is, if the scratches cause the machine to be unuseable, AND were caused by 'normal' use, then there is an issue. If not, suck it up! They're scratches, not chicken pox. If you REALLY can't read the screen anymore, you have a problem, but I suspect that there are very few people who can say this is the case.

Take a look at your car with the sunlight reflecting off of it- The exterior, the odometer coverings, the radio controls... Scratches! Thousands of them! Millions of tiny scratches!!! They're just staring at you whispering... "sue..sue.. sue..". I never even put my car stereo inside my jeans pocket and it's still scratched up.

Unless it's rendered unuseable, it's all part of buying and using a product. Whoever posted the sneaker analogy is pretty close... They are intended to be worn everywhere, literally on the ground, yet they're still sold in white and in materials that get dirty extremely easily. Where's the outrage? My new sneakers are stained and tinted the first day I wear them.

It's a domino effect, if the people are not happy with the outcome of the whole scratch screen issue that the Nano and iPod line has to offer, Apple will be forced to either use a hard coat, different material, or a better plastic for the case. The Mini was perfect, and so was the 3G and 4G iPod line.

I have no clue why Apple took 2 steps backwards on the Nano and 5G iPod line. The made a similar mistake with the Cube. Apple does make mistakes, they are not perfect.

It's your hard earned money, why do you see fit to protect Apple, they are a company trying to make a profit off you. People who stick up for companies make me ill at times, then several people have posted they experience with a product.

 

[~Shard~]

Apple does make mistakes, they are not perfect.

Absolutely, everyone makes mistakes. And I think this is a good thing that this has received so much attention, as it will cause Apple to revisit their Quality Control and make some changes which will benefit all of us - hopefully.

 

[maya]

I agree with you on the whole functionality aspect (i.e. if it still plays music and does what it's supposed to do, who cares?). I think your example of a car is a good one too. First off, if it has scratches, paint chips, etc., does it mean the car doesn't perform its function? Of course not. Secondly, one could argue that a car is still drivable if it is completely covered in rust, but is that acceptable? This is where the whole "user care" concept comes into play. If you want your item of purchase to be in excellent shape, treat it with care and take the necessary precautions. Simple.

I have no doubts that people have legitimate issues with their nanos, and I think it's reasonable to expect certain levels of quality from Apple, but this whole suing thing is what always gets me - in cases like this it just seems like a bunch of whiners wanting something for nothing, i.e. a share of the profits. Sometimes life ain't fair, get used to it.

If we apply your backing of his example then a scratched pair of glasses, fine crystal, diamonds, etc... will hold they value when scratched up as you can still see with scratched glasses, still drink out of fine crystal and still flash a diamond.

Apple has posed its self and its products as "top of the chain" as far as the industry is considered, and customers will expect a triple "A" rating from those products for a reason.

I would not want to buy a BMW for 100K USD and have it scratched up while leaving the dealership, or have the signal lights fused. If Apple was selling a 20-50 USD mp3 player then I am pretty sure no one would give a dam .

I just discovered I own an iPod Nano. And further it has scratches. I think the only thing that would be fair is that Apple grants me 1000 shares of their stock and a lifetime supply of paper towels (since it appears that product was also defective).

I agree that some of the compensation being asked for damages is ridiculous at best.

People will always be greedy, no doubt.