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Attorneys Prepare iPod Class Action Lawsuit

Posted by pudge on from the nothing-better-to-do dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Well, it was bound to happen. It looks like some lawyers are preparing to file a class action lawsuit against apple computer due to the iPod's battery problem (previously discussed here, here, and here)."

5 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Sounds like BS to me. by ITR81 · · Score: 5, Informative
    PDA Smart makes a kit for mine that allows me to change mine out in less then 20 mins( took my time).

    So they are user servicable. You only need the tools they use to open the case and the rest is easy as pie.

    So are the Napster player and Dell DJ also a scam too? They both come with commercially stated non-removable batteries.

  2. Re:bullllshhiiittt by pvera · · Score: 5, Informative

    I treated mine like shiiite for 10 months, then the drive crashed. I took it to the store and no questions asked: I was handed a refurbished iPod of the exact same series as mine and was only charged a $30 handling fee. I walked into that store expecting them to tell me that I had to pay for a new one since mine obviously broke due to misuse. The replacement iPod is already 6 months old and still gives me almost 11 hours of battery power.

    Of course, mine was a first generation 5GB iPod. I have friends with newer units and nothing but problems, so who the hell knows? If any of you is interested in getting an iPod, go ahead and get it. It is an amazing gadget.

    --
    Pedro
    ----
    The Insomniac Coder
  3. Two Words by Llywelyn · · Score: 5, Informative

    Caveat Emptor.

    They made no guarantees on battery life that I remember, its clearly stated that they use Lithium-Ion batteries, which are known to degrade, and its obvious there is no way to change that battery without extra equipment.

    I don't see the case here.

    --
    Integrate Keynote and LaTeX
  4. Once again, my response... by daveschroeder · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...posted to their solicitation page:

    -----

    Here are some pieces of relevant information:

    1. It is well known ALL lithium ion family batteries die after a period of time. ALL have a finite lifetime. Apple used the best battery technology available in the manufacture of the iPod.

    2. Apple provides an official method for iPod owners to obtain replacement batteries for $99, as well as extended warranty and service plans for new iPod purchases. This is available to all owners of all iPods. (This is in addition to numerous practical third party battery replacement plans and extended service plans.)

    3. The iPod was not engineered to have batteries fail prematurely, nor is there any fundamential engineering defect or deficiency with the iPod. Lithium ion batteries fail after a finite period of time, plain and simple. No specific disclosures are required for any other lithium ion product, and none should be expected of Apple. (Yes, before Apple offered a battery replacement plan, there was a big hole in their service offerings. That hole is now filled, and this whole thing is now, therefore, a non-issue. Why not start a class action investigation into lithium ion batteries in general, since that's what this is fundamentally about?)

    4. As to user-replaceability: if the iPod were designed with user-replaceable batteries, it would need to be engineered with access panels and mechanisms which would add, at a minimum, likely up to several millimeters to the thickness to the unit, as well as potentially opening up the unit to greater numbers of issues than even out-of-warranty battery failures cause. Additionally, the unit would likely be not as small and sleek as it currently is, thus making the unit much less desirable.

    5. Other best-of-breed products, such as Dell's DJ portable music player, also use non-user-replaceable lithium ion batteries. Dell has no plan or program to replace failed batteries outside of warranty at this time. Better get a class action investigation ready for Dell, too, because they'll have the same exact problems as Apple, in the same exact proportion. Lithium ion is lithium ion.

    6. The vast majority of first generation iPods, many over two years old, continue to function without issue.

    I hope you find this information valuable in your investigation, and take the time to consider the facts.

  5. Re:Sounds like BS to me. by ITR81 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Doubt that because many iPod sites have taken them apart to get look at the new mickey mouse logic boards on the new Gen 3's.

    If you use a flat head on a iPod you've already damaged the case before you even get to the HD.

    The brothers could of easly got a DIY kit but they didn't which ended up bitting them in the butt. But then again knowing that the brothers posted their vid. even though Apple had already had a plan in place shows they are not too smart just spiteful.

    Tech Tv used the exact PDA Smart kit I used and preformed it on Screensavers in about 10 mins.

    If you have built a computer or added a HD to your computer you can add this battery to your iPod.