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I really enjoyed my 3rd-gen iPod. That 10 GB sucker kept me in good listening mode for about five years. Eventually, the hard drive crapped out. I still have it, though it is difficult to see how much use it would be unless I replaced the hard drive and battery - assuming I could even find replacement parts.

http://pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter3g.htm - just a little Googleing.

Having recently bought an ipod, I have been very happy with it until I read this story and am already wished I had waited. I wonder when they are going to have built in tv reception

Don't worry, you'll have to shell out $400 for another ipod soon enough (speaking from experience). Had my ipod for 1 year 1 month exactly, wont even boot up now. Luckily it was still under warranty since I got an extended warranty. After this though, I will never get another ipod again, $400 for a device that lasts 1 year? No thanks. PS. My original 5 year old 128mb mp3 player still works great, been using it while I wait to get my 4G ipod back from Apple. Ok, so I might be a little upset, but who wouldn't be?

Apple has a great business plan IMO.

1) Design super cool mp3 player with technology that only lasts 12 to 18 months (longer if you're really lucky)
2) Charge $69.95 to replace a battery
3) Charge $170 to replace the hard drive.
4) ...
5) Profit!

you CAN replace the battery on your iPod. If you couldn't, how would these guys be selling anything?

Let the "you can't replace the battery so it sucks" statement die, please.

You can get a new 2000mAh battery for that model if you want to drop $90 on it.
Various iPod batteries
I may pick one up myself for this 2G i just got from my sister (first ipod owner too, im such a nerd but I can't afford to buy one myself).

But in the midst of the rescue attempt, the battery died and couldn't be replaced!

aw, see this would have been funny only you went one clause too far: everybody knows iPod batteries can easily be replaced

But they ALSO say (immediatly following your quote):

But, the case can be opened, and there are several third parties that offer replacement batteries for the iPod, such as iPodBattery.com (instructions, with pictures: original, non-"dockable" iPod, new, slim "dockable" iPod) and PDASmart, for as low as $49.

iPod Battery FAQ

http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

Q: Is the iPod's battery replaceable?

A: Yes. Apple has an official battery replacement program for $99. You send your iPod in (any model iPod), and Apple will replace the battery for $99. AppleCare programs for iPod will also soon be available in Europe.

Q: Is the iPod's battery user-replaceable?

A1: Yes and no. The iPod's case is not designed to be opened, so, in that respect, it's not what would generally be referred to as "user-replaceable". But, the case can be opened, and there are several third parties that offer replacement batteries for the iPod, such as iPodBattery.com (instructions, with pictures: original, non-"dockable" iPod, new, slim "dockable" iPod) and PDASmart, for as low as $49. Some will even do the replacement for you if you send it in.

A2: TechTV's Call for Help has a story, with video , discussing and demonstrating replacing an iPod battery (the video was produced before the Apple service options were available).

Q: What is the iPod's warranty? Does it cover the battery? Is there any way to extend it?

A1: The iPod warranty is one year. It does cover the battery.

A2: You can extend the iPod's warranty, including battery coverage, to two years with AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod. Numerous retailers, such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, etc., also have very inexpensive extended warranty coverage available for iPod. Often these plans simply replace the product with a comparable new unit.

Q: What's the deal? Does Apple think the iPod is disposable?

A: No. Like all Apple products, the iPod is engineered to last. This is why Apple is consistently ranked number one in product quality and support by leading consumer groups, such as Consumer Reports.

Q: I heard that the iPod's battery only lasts 18 months, and then you have to buy a new iPod! Is that true?

A1: NO! The vast, vast majority of even the earliest iPods, now over two years old, continue to function just fine. Some iPods, however, have had issues with batteries. Lithium ion batteries are only good for 300 to 500 charge/discharge cycles (more). For this reason, certain customers' usage patterns may cause the batteries to degrade, or fail, sooner than others.

A2: If the battery does fail, and the iPod is no longer under its original one year warranty or $59 AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, or any of numerous third party service plans, you don't have to buy a new iPod. You may replace the battery yourself for as little as $49, or have Apple perform the replacement for $99.

Q: Why didn't Apple use better batteries?

A: Apple uses the best lithium ion battery technology available from leading battery manufacturers. This is the best, most cost effective battery technology available given the requirements of the device.

iPod Battery FAQ

http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

Q: Is the iPod's battery replaceable?

A: Yes. Apple has an official battery replacement program for $99. You send your iPod in (any model iPod), and Apple will replace the battery for $99. AppleCare programs for iPod will also soon be available in Europe.

Q: Is the iPod's battery user-replaceable?

A1: Yes and no. The iPod's case is not designed to be opened, so, in that respect, it's not what would generally be referred to as "user-replaceable". But, the case can be opened, and there are several third parties that offer replacement batteries for the iPod, such as iPodBattery.com (instructions, with pictures: original, non-"dockable" iPod, new, slim "dockable" iPod) and PDASmart, for as low as $49. Some will even do the replacement for you if you send it in.

A2: TechTV's Call for Help has a story, with video , discussing and demonstrating replacing an iPod battery (the video was produced before the Apple service options were available).

Q: What is the iPod's warranty? Does it cover the battery? Is there any way to extend it?

A1: The iPod warranty is one year. It does cover the battery.

A2: You can extend the iPod's warranty, including battery coverage, to two years with AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod. Numerous retailers, such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, etc., also have very inexpensive extended warranty coverage available for iPod. Often these plans simply replace the product with a comparable new unit.

Q: What's the deal? Does Apple think the iPod is disposable?

A: No. Like all Apple products, the iPod is engineered to last. This is why Apple is consistently ranked number one in product quality and support by leading consumer groups, such as Consumer Reports.

Q: I heard that the iPod's battery only lasts 18 months, and then you have to buy a new iPod! Is that true?

A1: NO! The vast, vast majority of even the earliest iPods, now over two years old, continue to function just fine. Some iPods, however, have had issues with batteries. Lithium ion batteries are only good for 300 to 500 charge/discharge cycles (more). For this reason, certain customers' usage patterns may cause the batteries to degrade, or fail, sooner than others.

A2: If the battery does fail, and the iPod is no longer under its original one year warranty or $59 AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, or any of numerous third party service plans, you don't have to buy a new iPod. You may replace the battery yourself for as little as $49, or have Apple perform the replacement for $99.

Q: Why didn't Apple use better batteries?

A: Apple uses the best lithium ion battery technology available from leading battery manufacturers. This is the best, most cost effective battery technology available given the requirements of the device.

Turns out these guys are not even remotely interested in solving the problem. They're in it for the publicity.

The inciminating email exchanges that prove it.

Also...

http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
(Official Apple iPod battery replacement for $99)
http://www.ipodbattery.com/ ($49)
http://pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter.htm ($69)

I did read. Anything that says "If you don't feel comfortable with cracking the case yourself," hasn't been designed with easy usability.

The battery price now is OK compared to what it was. It's what you have to do to replace the battery that concerns me. If it is that easy to replace, why do you have to send it in to Apple? None of my other equipment has that requirement. Also, what's wrong with an authorised Apple Service Centre? Why do you send in your iPod and get another one back. All seems very strange.

Still hoping Satan will bring me a (video)iPod though

Apple's iPod support page says you can get your battery replaced for $99 - not cheap but not $250 either.

PDA Smart offers $69 replacement service or a do-it-yourself kit for $59. Which Geek.com raved about

If the guys can't Google, they shouldn't buy expensive toys.

I suspect the iPod becomes a throwaway item after a couple of years when the batteries won't hold a charge any more.

There are third-party battery replacements for the iPod available: http://www.pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter.htm. (First item on the page.)

JP

iPod stuff

They have a replacement battery for $60

It's about as proprietary as any other mass produced product, really.

And according to the site, they'll replace your battery via a mail-in for an additional $9 fee if you are uncomfortable cracking open your case.

I've not had to replace mine yet, but knowing this made the original decision to purchase an iPod easier. BTW, I do not work for or know anyone at PDASmart.com -- just passing along something I ran across in research. :-)

-S