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iPod Users Get Official Battery Replacement
turkmenistani writes "It's about time. After much complaining from iPod owners, Apple has finally started an official Official iPod Battery replacement
(requires a free Apple ID). Although battery replacements have been available for older iPods for some time now, Apple has finally taken heed to their user requests and are now offering the service. From the Support page: 'If your iPod fails to hold a charge and it's more than a year old, you may need a new battery. Click Continue to order iPod battery service for $99 USD. This program is not available in Europe at this time.' Although the service is $99, they state in the article 'iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service.'
So make sure you back up that music before shipping it off!"
2) Apple sends him a refurbished iPod of the same type.
3) Apple then refurbishes the user's original iPod, getting it ready to redistribute elsewhere.
Not only is this quick, but it makes a lot of sense! Of course, the refurbished iPods have to be in mint condition, but otherwise what's not to like (except the fact that it needs to be sent away and shipped back, instead of just purchasing a replacement battery at Apple)?
Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
So what happens if you have one the engraved iPods? I can just hear my wife when I get the "new" one back -- "Who's Vanessa???"
Are there any third-party developers making cheaper versions? Sounds like there is a market there.
Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
Well. That's nice if your battery is dead, but just how many iPods are there with dead batteries anyway? I have had my own iPod for over a year now, and the battery is just fine even though I listen to the iPod daily. One charge lasts to me about 10 hours.
iPodlounge has btw some tips how to recharge and use the iPod to maximaze battery lifetime.
I demand the Cone of Silence!
Engraved ones are handled differently--the one you get back will have the same engraving.
I've had my iPod replaced before, and the replacement looked identical to a new iPod, to my eyes. I think your concerns are pretty unfounded.
Mine has a very, very nice scratch all along the right side. Does this mean if I replace the battery I'll get one without the scratch?
1. User buys new iPod.
2. Several years later, iPod dies.
3. User blames the problem on a dead battery (even though that might not be the case) and sends iPod back to Apple.
4. User gets new/refurbished iPod.
AppleCare for iPod.
Apple just began selling extended coverage for iPod. @ $59 USD. As for the battery, it can be obtained cheaper from ipodbattery.com; unlike in the past, now they sell all generation replacement batteries.
Hope this helps.
of course, a walkman plays shitty cassette tapes for maybe an hour and a half, and my ipod plays excellent quality MP3 or AAC files for a week straight.
yeah, almost the same thing, there.
*plonk*
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
What's more, they'll replace your iPod's battery if it is at least 50% depleted under AppleCare. But then again, the iPod Battery Replacement Program linked above costs $99.
The ones who take very good care of their things are wary. The ones who don't are eager. Do I sense a problem with the program here?
Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
This reminds me of the old joke: how much do dead batteries cost? Nothing, they're free of charge. Hey, it _is_ on topic!
Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
The RIAA rapid-action commandos are scrambling as of now.
Destination: Apple headquarters.
Primary Objective: ensure that any Apple employee does not listen either intentionally or unintentionally to any iPod sent in for battery replacement. That would be a clear infrigement of intellectual property. Royaltes must be paid for any complete songs or fragments overheard.
Secondary Objective: nail some of those PowerBooks...
I repeat, I repeat: all units head to Apple HQ immediately.
dani++
It's not like they just grab one out of a box that a customer returns, and run a polishing mitt over it, and ship it out to you.
Any Apple reconditioned product gets thoroughly tested before it gets sent out. That's why they offer a warranty on reconditioned items. If they're not worried about it breaking prematurely, why should you be?
-Mark
AppleCare for iPod is only $59, and extends the phone/mail-in-repair warranty from 90 days/1 year to 2 years/2 years. It covers the battery, as well as the rest of the iPod and all the stuff that comes with it in the box. So if you've got an iPod less than a year old, you can pick that up now. Nicely cheaper than the battery replacement service. I'll probably be getting it for my wife's 10GB iPod - didn't even know the headphones that died were still under warranty.
How about spending 1/4 of the price of the device to obtain a battery. My Vaio laptop battery replacement was $96.00 through Amazon and I did not have to pay to ship it back and forth. Also, I kept the old battery so even though the charge was only 1/2 as good as it use to be it is still usable.
How much does the battery degrade after a year of heavy usage? I was thinking of getting an iPod but I do not want to have to spend $100+ every 16 mos to keep it usable.
Also, what about any music you have on the hard drive? Hard drived do have a MTBF. If you get one that's been used 24-7, it may have a shorter life span (although if you use it sparingly, you might not ever find out).
oh well. I don't even own one (yet).
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
The one you get back will have the rear/chrome engraved cover swapped onto it...takes only a few minutes, but requires manual processing and thus take a few more days overall. This does take you out of the running for a chance at getting a newer/better model, however.
Agreement:
APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
REPAIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
IMPORTANT: BY CLICKING ON THE "I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THE REPAIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS" STATEMENT BELOW YOU AGREE THAT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERN THE REPAIR OF YOUR PRODUCT BY APPLE COMPUTER, INC. ("APPLE")
Apple will repair your product as described and for the charges offered to you (unless such charges are revised with your prior oral or written consent). When the product repair is covered by warranty, Apple will perform repairs under the warranty. You must provide proof of the product's eligibility for warranty repairs. Apple may subcontract with other service providers for the repair of your product.
Unless your product is repaired under warranty without charge to you, you will pay Apple the amount shown. Your payment is due when the product is returned to you. Apple's estimate of costs includes all parts, labor, and certain transportation required for the repair of the product excluding any applicable sales tax.
Apple may charge you a diagnostic fee, and related shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax, if Apple inspects your product, provides an estimate for you, and you do not authorize Apple to undertake the repairs for the estimated charges.
If Apple determines, while inspecting your product, that repairs are needed due to failures of parts that are neither supplied by Apple nor Apple-branded, Apple will return the product to you without repairing it, and may charge you a diagnostic feeand shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
If the requested repairs require labor not specified in your estimate, Apple will ask for your approval of a revised estimate. If you do not agree that Apple may revise the charges, Apple may return your product and charge you a diagnostic fee, and shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
Apple reserves the right to refuse repair service on products that are damaged due to accident, abuse, misuse, and misapplication, and in such event, Apple will return the product to you without repairing it, and may hold you responsible for a diagnostic fee and shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
If Apple repairs your product under your product's warranty, if the terms of the warranty permit, Apple may use new or reconditioned parts. If Apple repairs your product outside of warranty, Apple may use new or reconditioned parts. Apple will retain the replaced part that is exchanged under repair service as its property, and the replacement part will become your property. Replaced items are generally repairable and are exchanged or repaired by Apple for value. If applicable law requires Apple to return a replaced item to you, you agree to pay Apple the additional cost of the replacement item.
If Apple repairs your product under warranty, the repairs will be covered solely by the terms of the warranty and applicable provisions of law. If your product is repaired outside of warranty, Apple warrants (1) that the repairs will be performed in a workmanlike manner and (2) that all parts will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the date of the repair service. The warranty on parts is an express limited warranty. If a defect exists in a replacement part during the part's warranty period, at its option, Apple will (i) repair the part, using new or refurbished replacement parts, or (ii) replace the part with a new or refurbished equivalent part, or (iii) refund the fair market value of the part.
THIS WARRANTY AND REMEDY ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REMEDIES, AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE REPAIR PARTS. APPLE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PARTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IF APPLE CANNOT LAWFULLY DISCLAIM IMPLIED WARRANTIES UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, ALL SUCH WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHA
What about those of us who develop a strong emotional attachment to our iPods. I cant bear the thought of my iPod... in another's greasy hands. The thought gives me shivers.