ipod

09/28/2005, 11:00am, EDT

Wednesday, September 28th

Apple confirms LCD flaw in "limited" iPod nanos

Apple today confirmed an LCD manufacturing flaw in some of its iPod nanos, while downplaying other complaints about the device's external finish. First noted last week, the news of cracked/broken LCD screens has led to widespread news coverage as well as a new website to track how widespread the problem is and allow customers to share their experiences with Apple's support/return policies. Apple said the issue was very limited and only affects a small number of owners, according to Macworld UK: "This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units. Our figures show this issue has affected less than 1/10 of 1 per cent of the total iPod nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue." Apple is offering free replacement to affected customers. [updated: first published 9/27]

However, Apple is moving to quelch rumors that the iPod nano is more susceptible to scratches than previous generation iPods, according to the same report. Apple is claiming the Nano player is made with the same quality materials as fourth-generation iPods. Apple claimed to have received "very few" calls concerning the external durability and suggested that customers use one of the iPod nano cases to protect the devices.

Update: A Reuters quotes Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, as saying the broken screens were due to a "vendor quality issue" that affected "less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the total iPod nano units that we've shipped."


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Refunds?
0
09/28, 9:34am, EDT
Does this mean that users who have paid between $99 and $145 to have the screen repaired from a third party are going to receive a refund? It would be the right thing to do but I dont know if Apple will.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Sep 2005
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Good for Apple
0
09/28, 9:40am, EDT
This seems to be a fairly quick response for Apple. Good for them, doing the right thing, acknowledging the problem.

Next time Apple has a problem with a new product, and people report it, the apologists will of course cry "FUD!" once again, blame the victims and trot out the same conspiracy theories that hapless competitors are trying to smear Apple.
Mac Enthusiast
Joined Jun 2000
User is offline
Is Mine Bad?
0
09/28, 10:28am, EDT
Sure hope they give the range of serial #s that have the acknowledged problem. I avoid touching mine any more than I have to. A few small scratches on case -- either arrived with them or from my fingers. Would like to know if mine is a "good one" when I try to sell on eBay in 6 or 8 months when the next version arrives.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Dec 1999
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Good for Apple
0
09/28, 11:33am, EDT
You know, the customers you call Apple Loyalists only appear to cry FUD so often because so many journalists really are out there to smear Apple.

The whole "cracks in the cube" fiasco is proof.

Being an Apple user is like being a Christian, we are continuously persecuted. If you don't see that then you probably are not really one or are somehow segregated from the real world.
Mac Enthusiast
Joined Apr 2001
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re: Good for Apple
0
09/28, 11:38am, EDT
Christians are persecuted? Last time I checked, a rather strident variety of the faithful ran the country, and were trying to ram their ideology down the throats of the world. Some persecution.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
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re: re: Good for Apple
0
09/28, 11:49am, EDT
some christians are still looking for repairations for that whole unpleasantness with the lions and all.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2002
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well
0
09/28, 11:50am, EDT
good analogy, wrong timing.

Apple is like Volkswagen: A company with a larger-than-life past and mind boggling ideas, that's smitten with manufacturing flaws and lots of bad reviews. (The latter has been changing for Apple as of late).
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jun 2003
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re:well
0
09/28, 12:21pm, EDT
I wish Volkswagen was more like Apple. IMHO, VW, unlike Apple, isn't "thinking different", like they used to. Where are the VW hybrids? Most of their models have sucky gas mileage, and the New Beetle is a Jetta in different clothing, living off the nostalgia of the original bug.

Apple is cranking out the best stuff in its history. Let's hope VW rejoins the cutting edge.

-proud owner of several macs and a 1999 "original" bug, hecho en Mexico.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Oct 2000
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re: refunds?
0
09/28, 1:13pm, EDT
Why in the world would anyone send a product to a third party for a screen repair and pay for it when the item is under warranty? All they have accomplished at that point was maybe fixing the screen after paying money to void the warranty. *shaking head*
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2001
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re: re: refunds?
0
09/28, 2:41pm, EDT
I though the lcds weren't under the original iPod warranty?
Mac Elite
Joined May 2001
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