‘Stunned’ Apple rails against Real’s iPod move. I thought Apple wanted to sell as many of these things as possible. How does this hurt that goal? It’s doesn’t, which means Apple had some scheme up its sleeve that this product ruined. Apple says it will screw over the users with an upgrade that disables this software from working. Shades of Microsoft? “DOS isn’t done until Lotus won’t run.”
In a terse statement, a “stunned” Apple accused RealNetworks of adopting the “tactics and ethics of a hacker” with the release of its Harmony software. Harmony allows songs sold via RealNetworks’ online store to be played on a variety of portable devices, including Apple’s iPod and Microsoft-compatible rivals.
TO BE CONTINUED….
Apple offers $50 credit for iPod battery problems.
AP reports that, “Consumers will be notified of the tentative settlement in three ways: by e-mail, by letters, and through advertisements in USA Today and Parade Magazine in the next month.” I saw the credit called a coupon and on TV news it was a voucher.
For 400 bucks, you would think they would give you a decent battery. They could just send you a battery, but this looks like it is being spun into a new ad campaign for Apple. I bought a $250 PDA which runs on standard AAA’s batteries. The thing just drains the batteries and although it still works it is useless. You can trade it in and get a $50 credit towards accessories when you buy a new PDA. This might be how the Apple deal works. Instead of sending consumers new batteries, Apple gets off with a $50 credit and benefits by selling more stuff since you were “going to upgrade” sooner or later. Right! That’s why it is running bad battery ads in USA Today. Look for rave reviews from the press on how Apple is cutting edge and the ipod is better than ever. The AP story that ran even had a hot link to Apple, which should be good for free web traffic compliments of AP. Thanks! No link to the Apple consumer claims site, if Apple even has a claims site. Reuters reports tha “iPod owners who show proof of purchase receive a one-year extension of their warranty. Consumers who experienced battery failure can make a claim for a new iPod, have their current player fixed or receive a $50 credit for Apple products”. I’ll bet Apple will not be fixing too many units. They aren’t worth fixing. It is cheaper to ship another unit out of a warehouse.
The best thing would be to have consumers send in to Apple the defective batteries in exchange for the new battery. This would be environmentally responsible. Apple would then have to deal with recycling the old batteries, which I’m sure they don’t want anything to do with. If you lost your receipt, the battery is proof you own it. I would send my bad battery back to Apple and demand a new battery or just buy a battery for 30 bucks and forget about it.
Macsales.com has a battery upgrade for $29.95
The site says, “Is your 1st or 2nd Generation
iPod battery wearing out?
Newer Technology has the replacement battery you need! And, as a bonus, our replacement battery for your iPod adds a whopping 46% extra run time! The original Apple battery was rated at 1320mAh, our High Capacity version offers a fantastic 1800mAh!
The Newer Technology replacement battery uses the same Lithium-Polymer battery technology as the original battery that Apple used. A detailed instruction manual, and installation tool is included.”
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BIPOD1800M12/
wow.. the good ol days