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Inside the Free iPod Offer

Posted by Zonk on from the TANSTAAFL dept.

jonathanhowell writes "David Lazarus, The SF Chronicle's tech guy, has an article in today's paper with an interesting investigation into the work you have to do to get a "free" (as in beer) iPod. I'm trying not to call it a scam, because it appears completely legal, if ethically challenged." From the article: "What it doesn't say is that the offer terms will expose you to reams of spam and marketing solicitations, that the user survey is actually a lengthy marketing ploy, and that the sponsor offers needed to qualify for that free music player will almost certainly cost you money."

4 of 396 comments (clear)

  1. I wrote about this a while back, too... by Tuxedo+Jack · · Score: 5, Informative

    And I dissected the bastards' EULA at length.

    Read, if you're interested.

    --

    Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
  2. People have sold their demographics for a lot less by DavisNet · · Score: 5, Informative

    For an uninformed or disconected soul, the "chance" for a free iPod is well worth selling out your vital statistics. I'm always amazed at how easy it is to convice someone to sign on the dotted line, and it's offten only for a T-Shirt.
    This organization simply raized the reward, and thereby made the hoops you must jump through more elaborate.

  3. Re:No such Thing by Trillan · · Score: 5, Informative

    From the tech specs page, the iPod can play MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store, M4A, M4B, M4P), Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4) and WAV.

    The majority of these formats are not encumbered. I really don't understand why so many people think the iPod can play only iTunes Music Store songs.

  4. Re:TINSTAAFL, indeed by Sabaki · · Score: 5, Informative

    Bzzt.

    I ain't sure if you're joking, but Check here just in case.

    However, their was a mistake in the grandparent, in the spelling of "sentence." So it goes.