Tuesday, September 27, 2005
iPod: The Truth
This is adapted from an online site. The author of this blog bears no responsibility for the content of this post. If you find yourself disturbed by this post, just shut down your computer, and brain as well.
Post 1
All,
I know that Apple is a beloved company, but I find it hard to believe the lengths people go to for this company.
The fourth generation iPod has the SAME issue.
Take one apart. It looks like they put very little
thought into the design.
I haven't taken apart a Nano, but if you look at a
4th Generation iPod the LCD is supported by the frame
of the iPod. If you torque, twist, or put force on the
frame most of it will ripple through the screen. They
put no protection in front or back of the screen.
Also, placing the audio jack behind the screen was a
very dumb move. Can you say 'stress point?'
Drop your iPod from about 3 feet with the headphones
plugged in and have it land on or near the headphone
jack. See how long the screen lasts. It won't matter
if you have a cover on it or not. That's how my wife
broke hers. I expected to see a bunch of scratches and
abuse. I really didn't believe her at first. She told
me it fell out of her purse. She is only 4' 11" tall.
How far could it have fallen?
I asked if she had the cover on it.
When I looked at it then I noticed there was a crack
that points directly to the audio jack.
Took it apart and discovered why...
I notice many times that people say that reviewers of
competing products tend to say what others consumers are
saying. I notice this is very true of Apple products as
well. How come you don't have professional reviews that
point out these flaws?
I was very disappointed in my purchase of the 4th Gen
iPod. Several of these issues should have been worked
out by now.
Even the standard headphone and remote jacks do not
have proper strain relief. Give one to your wife or
kid and let them wrap it around the iPod a few times.
See how long it is before they notice clicking or
static. Then wiggle the wire right near the jack.
Notice the static...
As far as the battery goes...
Apple is getting worse, not better.
How do you seriously sell a product like this to
consumers where the battery is soldered to the board
inside? Talk about a pain in the you know what to replace.
Oh, that's right...
Just buy a new one.
The testing by Ars Technia (spelling?), should be removed.
They don't clearly post their methods of test.
They don't seem to be following any kind of technical procedure.
They aren't testing it in a configuration that a consumer would use.
For example.
Did they drop it screen down or up?
(Pictures often show them as holding the Nano with the screen up.)
Did they drop it on the corners?
If so, how many times?
From what distances?
Again, was the screen side hitting the pavement?
How did it hit the pavement?
Any stress diagrams?
Why are there no headphones attached?
What if I attach a clip?
What if I have something attached to the docking connector?
I know people are going to probably blast me for this post, but if you don't demand better products you won't get them.
Also, I would like to see less bias in reviews and posts on Apple products. They do make mistakes. Appelinsier is pretty good about balance. That's why I come here first.
However, my feeling on this one...
Is not that it is a mistake, but a lack of concern for their customer. Their products get praised by everyone regardless, and Apple seems to know it. Hence, it is more profitable for them to be lax about these things.
Regards,
Ocriss
Post 2
Two points I'd like to make. First about Steve....
The CEO of Apple at a public media event pointed to his coin pocket and said "Did you ever wonder what this pocket is for?" and then proceded to pull out the new Nano. Now what are we supposed to make of that? Well, my guess would be that it's okay to carry a nano in your pocket.. Furthermore, the marketing slogan for the Nano is "1000 songs in your pocket." If Apple had not intended for people to be pocketing their Nano's then they are truly sending the wrong message.
Secondly, the scratches.
Yes, all plastic will scratch. it's a given. However there are different levels of durablility for plastics and the Nano IS NOT, and I repeat, NOT even remotely as durable when it comes to scratch resistance as previous iPods. Steve Jobs said himself in Time Magazine that everything on the Nano is a new ground up design with none of the materials carried over from previous iPods.
These scratch complaints are legitimate. The Nano surface is so delicate that a fricking Kleenex will scratch the surface, putting the Nano in a cotton shirt pocket will leave scratches. It does not take negligence to make this thing look terrible. Yes, they are hairline scratches, but after very little time the scratches begin to make the display unreadable. Almost as if sandpaper has been rubbed against the surface.
This is unacceptable for a consumer electronic device. A proper case will surely protect from these scratches, but Apple released the Nano more than a month before any cases are even available. And if a case is required to keep the display on a nano readable (which it is) then it should not be an optional accessory, it should be included in the box.
Apple's got some splain'n to do.
Post 1
All,
I know that Apple is a beloved company, but I find it hard to believe the lengths people go to for this company.
The fourth generation iPod has the SAME issue.
Take one apart. It looks like they put very little
thought into the design.
I haven't taken apart a Nano, but if you look at a
4th Generation iPod the LCD is supported by the frame
of the iPod. If you torque, twist, or put force on the
frame most of it will ripple through the screen. They
put no protection in front or back of the screen.
Also, placing the audio jack behind the screen was a
very dumb move. Can you say 'stress point?'
Drop your iPod from about 3 feet with the headphones
plugged in and have it land on or near the headphone
jack. See how long the screen lasts. It won't matter
if you have a cover on it or not. That's how my wife
broke hers. I expected to see a bunch of scratches and
abuse. I really didn't believe her at first. She told
me it fell out of her purse. She is only 4' 11" tall.
How far could it have fallen?
I asked if she had the cover on it.
When I looked at it then I noticed there was a crack
that points directly to the audio jack.
Took it apart and discovered why...
I notice many times that people say that reviewers of
competing products tend to say what others consumers are
saying. I notice this is very true of Apple products as
well. How come you don't have professional reviews that
point out these flaws?
I was very disappointed in my purchase of the 4th Gen
iPod. Several of these issues should have been worked
out by now.
Even the standard headphone and remote jacks do not
have proper strain relief. Give one to your wife or
kid and let them wrap it around the iPod a few times.
See how long it is before they notice clicking or
static. Then wiggle the wire right near the jack.
Notice the static...
As far as the battery goes...
Apple is getting worse, not better.
How do you seriously sell a product like this to
consumers where the battery is soldered to the board
inside? Talk about a pain in the you know what to replace.
Oh, that's right...
Just buy a new one.
The testing by Ars Technia (spelling?), should be removed.
They don't clearly post their methods of test.
They don't seem to be following any kind of technical procedure.
They aren't testing it in a configuration that a consumer would use.
For example.
Did they drop it screen down or up?
(Pictures often show them as holding the Nano with the screen up.)
Did they drop it on the corners?
If so, how many times?
From what distances?
Again, was the screen side hitting the pavement?
How did it hit the pavement?
Any stress diagrams?
Why are there no headphones attached?
What if I attach a clip?
What if I have something attached to the docking connector?
I know people are going to probably blast me for this post, but if you don't demand better products you won't get them.
Also, I would like to see less bias in reviews and posts on Apple products. They do make mistakes. Appelinsier is pretty good about balance. That's why I come here first.
However, my feeling on this one...
Is not that it is a mistake, but a lack of concern for their customer. Their products get praised by everyone regardless, and Apple seems to know it. Hence, it is more profitable for them to be lax about these things.
Regards,
Ocriss
Post 2
Two points I'd like to make. First about Steve....
The CEO of Apple at a public media event pointed to his coin pocket and said "Did you ever wonder what this pocket is for?" and then proceded to pull out the new Nano. Now what are we supposed to make of that? Well, my guess would be that it's okay to carry a nano in your pocket.. Furthermore, the marketing slogan for the Nano is "1000 songs in your pocket." If Apple had not intended for people to be pocketing their Nano's then they are truly sending the wrong message.
Secondly, the scratches.
Yes, all plastic will scratch. it's a given. However there are different levels of durablility for plastics and the Nano IS NOT, and I repeat, NOT even remotely as durable when it comes to scratch resistance as previous iPods. Steve Jobs said himself in Time Magazine that everything on the Nano is a new ground up design with none of the materials carried over from previous iPods.
These scratch complaints are legitimate. The Nano surface is so delicate that a fricking Kleenex will scratch the surface, putting the Nano in a cotton shirt pocket will leave scratches. It does not take negligence to make this thing look terrible. Yes, they are hairline scratches, but after very little time the scratches begin to make the display unreadable. Almost as if sandpaper has been rubbed against the surface.
This is unacceptable for a consumer electronic device. A proper case will surely protect from these scratches, but Apple released the Nano more than a month before any cases are even available. And if a case is required to keep the display on a nano readable (which it is) then it should not be an optional accessory, it should be included in the box.
Apple's got some splain'n to do.
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