Riddle me this Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) bulls, gadget lovers, and self-identified nerds: why should I get excited about new iPods if my existing one doesn't work right now?
Much I love my iPod, it drives me bonkers. Sometimes my podcasts don't update even though I make sure that my software is updated. Sometimes the iTunes doesn't recognize it. Sometimes, I can only play music I downloaded from my CDs. Oh, how can I forget the times it's crashed.
Tech companies including Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) all follow the same product introduction playbook. They introduce a device or Internet feature before the bugs are worked out in the hopes that consumers will give them "feedback" about problems they should have caught themselves. Good thing for Apple that the iPod is so cool that people will put up with this nonsense, but it is irritating.
Apple seems to expect me to buy new, expensive devices every few years that in theory should have fixed the problems in the old iPods though likely they will have their own set of problems for consumers to sort out.
About the only help that consumer can get is "support" documentation that's written by geeks for other geeks.
That seems to be the way things work in the digital age and that's sad.










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-05-2007 @ 11:03AM
Jeff said...
wow good job on pepper spraying the fanboys.
Have you heard of the Genius Bar - sounds like you're in need of it.
9-05-2007 @ 11:22AM
kjgienapp said...
I have a second generation iPod (2002) and only had to reset it once after it froze when I dropped it. The battery may not last as long as it used to but it still works. Maybe you should not assume that because your iPod has problems that all iPods have problems.
9-05-2007 @ 11:39AM
fog city dave said...
Let me guess... you use Windows, right?
9-05-2007 @ 11:45AM
Terry Langley said...
Jonathan
No one forces you to buy! No one forces you to buy Apple! Try another vendors MP3/4 player, try an alternate music management application. You will soon realise how fortunate you have been up to now.
9-05-2007 @ 12:29PM
Norville said...
Yes, please do try another vendor. The real forture will be the discovery of a quality product once he leaves Crapple behind.
9-05-2007 @ 12:31PM
michael said...
what an idiot.
9-05-2007 @ 12:34PM
ben said...
I'm guessing the problem is with the user. In this short blog post alone, I count three typos. I don't doubt that a similar lack of attention to detail is common throughout the author's life.
9-05-2007 @ 12:44PM
jonathan berr said...
Nerds/geeks/Apple fans
Most people in this world are more like me -- though hopefully better spellers -- than you. The iPod is a wonderful device, but it's far from perfect.
Jonathan Berr
9-05-2007 @ 12:45PM
James said...
Jonathan, I would submit to you that the existing iPods work wayyy better than competing devices. I think the problems you are having are not widespread. Yours is not the rule, it's the exception.
Has it been happening with several iPods you've owned or with several people you know?
I've owned a few different iPods. Honestly I've never really had anything that couldn't be fixed by re-starting iTunes or resetting the iPod — and either one of those was a very rare occasion.
Yes I am pro-Apple, but it's bc — more than other companies — their products tend to work and work well. That helps me get things done.
9-05-2007 @ 12:48PM
sean said...
Boo-Freaking-Hoo. :o(
Your "broad-stroked" comments are extremely poor journalism. Time to go back to school, Sparky...... and pay attention in class this time.
9-05-2007 @ 12:53PM
Lino said...
I agree with #11. If its as bad as you say, then why haven't others "the consumers" brought something up before? Obviously you are having issues, but that doesn't mean that it's happening EVERYWHERE else. And a Genius Bar would definitely help with your issues, that's what they're there for. If you're going to say something like what you posted, don't make it sound like its a fact for every iPod out there.
Maybe you can't get excited about new iPods (and you're probably one of the only ones, aside from Microsoft lovers), but that doesn't mean all the other millions of satisfied customers can't. Your post was, obviously, one sided and biased. Apparently, you're either anti-Apple, or pro-Microsoft, or worse...both....
9-05-2007 @ 1:01PM
JJIrons said...
Hey Norville! (poster #7)
I agree with you! Let him try another maker's MP3 players. It will get him writing bewilderment about them and not posting confused blather about the iPod.
I and my 3 kids have had none of the problems with our iPods mentioned in this article! What the heck are you doing with your iPod, Johnathon?!?
9-05-2007 @ 1:04PM
Darryl said...
Perhaps I've been fortunate but, out 3 different iPods I've owned, I've never experienced any of the problems you've described. I would go further to surmise that 110 million sold in 6 years would contradict your assertion that iPods need to be fixed.
Improved sure, evolved definitely, upgraded, by all means. Fixed, not so sure about that.
9-05-2007 @ 1:11PM
Rokit said...
I dropped my ipod in a lake. I retrieved it and I thought it was dead. After it dried out it worked great. i've had zero problems.
This blogger must be running windows and if you can't get an ipod to work, you don't deserve to own one
9-05-2007 @ 1:42PM
Rob said...
Since when do iPods only play music downloaded from CDs? I think the issue is not with your iPod...read the manual.
That being said I have had my Macbook serviced half-a-dozen times within a year. Bu my iPod works fine :)
9-05-2007 @ 2:02PM
rfjason said...
Wow. Awesome spelling mistake and complete POV skewing on your reporting. Truly, you are a professional blogger.
9-05-2007 @ 2:10PM
Beetlebug said...
I must say my iPod has been one of the most reliable and easy to use pieces of technology I've ever had. Same with the previous ones I owned. Obviously, synching with iTunes can be dependant on you PC or Mac's shape. I use a PC and have had a very good experience. Compared to other devices (like my BlackBerry) it's a god send. Anecdotally even my non-technical friends can easily use the iPod without trouble. You can't say that about much now days. I think there will always be problems for any device, but Apple knows how to enhance the user experience.
9-05-2007 @ 2:11PM
Stan said...
I have three iPods which I've been using with Windows XP for years. I've had a single problem (on a plane, no less) with one of them -- took it to the Genius Bar, and it was fixed in no time.
I understand that YMMV. I don't care what product you talk about, SOMEBODY is going to have SOME problems with it. Your experiences, unfortunate though they are, are very far from typical. This personal rant has no place on forum devoted to stock and fiancial matters.
9-05-2007 @ 2:11PM
george scandalis said...
The misleading headlines these bloggers post bashing Apple is all about the clicks.
The next one this genius will post will probably be "iPods cause cancer!", "All Apple Users worship Satan!"
9-05-2007 @ 4:19PM
George said...
If you can't figure out the iPod. I would recommend 8-tracks. Play, fast forward, rewind and eject.