'Pop' Between Tracks In New iPod

joesao writes "The new iPods released last week seem to have a problem that causes an audible 'electrostatic pop' between all tracks played on it. The effect is not imaginary, as it has been witnessed by many users over at the Apple discussion forums. Now, one user has actually published a sound sample recorded the iPod's playback and the verdict is in: it's real. I hope this is a firmware issue and that it's quickly fixed ..." I just ordered a new iPod. I wonder if I should cancel my order.

Comments

Kneejerk Reaction

[Nathan Ramella]

I really get sick of seeing this commentary in the headline. Can't you guys just post the story and be done with it? The arbitrary slanted comments like 'Should I cancel my order?' or 'Wow, Microsoft did it again!' or 'Well, Linux won again, who would have guessed it!' are most likely accompanied with shit-eating grins of self satisfaction knowing that the world is safe once again for your point of view. Mod me down, but I'm really growing tired of the lack of objectivity.

You ever think that Apple might do the right thing, fess up to the problem and fix it for free to anyone who's effected?

Re:Kneejerk Reaction

[krel]

That Airport issue was easily remedied by calling apple, explaining the situation, and getting a free replacement. I didn't know what the problem was until I opened the case up and voided the warranty, but it was a simple matter of walking across the street to the local radio shack, picking up 2$ worth of capacitors, and soldering them to the leads of the previous ones. I didn't have to cut out any holes in my airport to make them fit, and they've worked without incident ever since. But your bitterness is unfounded, as this iPod issue is very likely a software issue, and Apple doesn't charge for firmware upgrades.

Re:Kneejerk Reaction

[sg3000]

> Judging from past experiences, no.

My experience has been otherwise.

With the first generation iPods, Apple originally had a 90-day warranty. However, they later increased the warranty to a full year, and they grandfathered all the iPod owners to this period.

I had a 1st gen iPod and it quit working after about 10 months (apparently, the first iPods could have a problem if you didn't keep them charged, they wouldn't turn back on). I went to the Apple Store, and they replaced the unit at no charge. No muss, no fuss. The replacement has had no problems, and I've had no such problem with my 10 GB iPod either.

Apple realizes that good customer service is not only the right thing to do, but it also pays dividends. I just bought a 17" PowerBook, something I would have been loathe to do if Apple had nickle-and-dimed me on the iPod.

So if the new iPods do have this problem, I suspect the answer is a quick firmware update. Or they'll replace the unit. Of course, I'd just go down the Apple Store, and listen to a real unit. Maybe the problem is with bad encoding or a corrupted track.

P.S.: I have a 1st generation AirPort, too, and I have yet to have a problem with it.

iPods aren't the only ones...

[questionlp]

Some of the older Compaq iPaq and HP Jornada Pocket PC PDAs had the same issue where you would here a pop right after a sound was played. Firmware fixes were released to reduce or eliminate the problem, which changed how the mini-amp for the built-in speaker (listening to sound via a headphone didn't have the same issue or was so minor that it couldn't be heard) was powered off.

The issue with the iPod might just be that the embedded OS is possibly powering down the mini-amp between songs or could be a glitch with the sound chip between the buffers. Probably a good chance that it can be eliminated or at least make it much more subtle by a firmware fix... or it may be problems with said mini-amp.

Re:iPods aren't the only ones...

[GigsVT]

IIRC, all amplifier circuits "pop" when you turn them off and on. Higher end ones prevent the pop from getting to the speakers by delaying or fading in the volume.

I guess the best solution for a case like this would be to just not turn the amp off between songs in the first place, if that is really what is causing the pop.

Speaking as a Apple fan...

[S. Baldrick]

...I am simply astounded that a major corporation would just give out free sounds to the people. Microsoft could never unclench their evil moneygrubbing fists like that. I mean to be able to clearly distinguish between tracks is just the kind of brilliant useability detail that the Linux crowd fail to pay attention to but which has been the hallmark of Jobs' vision from the beginning. Just holding my ipod and thinking about it is causing a warm tingle in my pants.

ohgodohgod

yes! oh god YES!

aaaaah...

Re:Lets Not Forget the TiBooks

[dynayellow]

So what you're saying is that the TiBooks could "snap," the Cube would "crackle," and now with the iPod, we're getting a "pop."

Hmmm... curious...

Re:I have a new iPod

[mgaiman]

Wait, you're right. There is a slight pop between tracks, but it is not a big deal at all. (I listened to some Bach).

I'll have to check my old iPod, but I think that might have been there on that one too. (10gb)

The thing is, it is barely noticable (as can be seen by the fact that I never noticed until it was pointed out to me).

dyslexic marketing

[rumpledstiltskin]

That's not a bug. it's a feature. the product was originally called the iPop. some dyslexic guy in the marketing department screwed it all up though.

Re:I can see it now...

[TheGreek]

Oh, the humanity! How many people will have to suffer through this before Apple releases a fix?!?!?!

Only the soulless Mac OS 9 fanboys who read Macintouch (also known as "Quark Bigots" and "Claris Em@ilers") and post to MacNN Forums via a stick in their teeth.

The rest of us couldn't give two shits about the issue, because we're not idiots savant incapable of leading a normal social life, but being able to perceive a slight pop between songs (not even during the fucking thing, but after it, and before the next one) that is juuuuuuust barely audible by bats.

Not that I'm bitter.