MP3/IPOD woes

I will try my best not to make this rant about the evil corporation of Apple so lets not make it into one so here goes.

Basically my Ipod is fully screwed after only having it since July last year, I sent it back to Apple adn they decided that the problem with my ipod was caused by 'accidental damage, misuse/ abuse' and therefore it is not covered under their guarantee so they sent it back to me, still broken. I dont really knwo how this is possible, true I've had it for 6 months but its not like it's beend ropped, or at least not anymore than how things accidently drop, and certainly not sufficient to warrant it breaking about 7 months, however there isnt really anything i can do, they say I broke it, I say I didnt, in the end they were the ones who the 'thorough' diagnostic. My word against theirs so I dont really think I have any kind of case for argument, or do I?

But anyway secondly assuming I cannot get them to sort it which is looking the case I need a new MP3 player, do I trust Apple again, this is my second Ipod in the last 3 years, if I got a new one and it broke would they do the same again, I dont think I can trust a new Ipod. But that brings me to my next issue.

The third problem is I have about 2500 songs on my Ipod (and therefore music library on my computer) the majority of which are the format of either MPEG-4 or M4A, I think M4A and MPEG 4 are Apple's own format and so if I went with a different brand I'm assuming I couldnt add my old music library and therefore loosing the majority of my songs which I really really don't want. Or am I wrong?

So my question is does anyone know of ways to either convert the formats or any MP3players out there despite apple that support the format? So I dont have to go back to the evil guys and get another Ipod

First off, I think you were unlucky with your iPods - every other report I've had has been very good about them. I've had mine for over 2 years and apart from the battery going a bit it's still fine.

I think you do have a case with Apple - you should call support and kick up a fuss. Take some pictures of it as well and post them about the internet (you could email boingboing.net about it - they like to cover this sort of thing). In other words, give them a load of bad press on the internet if you can.

How is it broken by the way? I'm sure we can sort it out for you. As for other players - I've never seen one that is even half as good as an iPod IMHO, so I can't advise you at all.

Good luck

I really dont want to call tech support again, it always go straight to an indian call centre where the guy doesnt have a clue what im saying and will only end up stressing me out like last time. the problem with the ipod was it started about 5 months in stalling and stuff, then when i pressed play it would try and play a song wouldnt even start and then just skip tot he enxt one and continuously do it, I would occassionalyl get the unhappy ipod sign, I have done resets, formats restores software and firmware updates the lot, I took it to the apple shop (I didnt get it from there but I went to ask advice) and he lsitened to the hard drive etc and said "Your hard drive is knackered" send it back, i did and like I said they said that it seems it has been damaged due to misuse/abuse which is a load of crap to be honest!

about 2 years into having my first ipod over the space of about 6 months it slowly started going but, the hold button would even when off think it was on, button had to be pushed harder and harder wouldnt respond etc, in the end i gave up waited a bit and bought this new one.

I've been searching thweir website for tech support email address but cant find it anywhere, the original email isnt a reply to address anyone have any ideas?

ipods suck. but it sounds like your best bet will be to kick up a fuss and get it replaced.

If you do decide to change to a different brand (which there are LOADS of good reasons for, because as i mentioned, ipods suck), then there are free to download converters to change mpeg4 & m4a to mp3. Just google for them.

I just got a creative zen touch.

really cheep

and i do like it.

as far as customer service goes. the first line of defence is always useless. keep at them and demanding to see the supervisor. you dont even have to be mean most of these guys are happy to pass you up if you can give them a valid excuse. like a quesion they cant answer.

Dont accept call backs. tell them you'll hold. keep holding, keep demanding. you will lwin out in the end. try the sales department instead...

ring the customer complaints dept. make a complaint. then ring customer service and tell them what you did... they might be quicker to help you. threaten legal action. that usually a good one...

good luck...

why do ipods suck? is that fact or opinion?

Thats simons opinion- he doesn't want one because they are mainstream (amongst other things I'm sure he now go on too list )

There are things that ipods don't do (or don't do very well relative to often imitative competitors) but they still the prettiest and most ergonomically pleasant to use. I'm sad someone stood on mine and broke it

Is it a good idea to admit to things I didnt do?

what, treading on my ipod?

Am I causing you to be spiteful Jon?

spiteful? me? wha?

I was going to admit to breaking your Ipod, but seeing as it wasnt actually me (to the best of my knowledge), and seeing as I didnt even know you had an Ipod, and seeing as I dont know when it was broken... i thought I would check first.

Will - buy a new one??? lol

ipod's kick ar5e

the only people that don't like them are those that have never had one

 Written by: simian


the mainstreamness of the ipod isn't the cause of my dislike. It simply lacks functionality. For a start, i like to be able to copy mp3s from my player to my pc

if that is your main criticism monkey, it is has been rendered completely invalid since software like this exists.

it solves all the functionality shortcomings and goes on to do make my ipod do more than i could possibly want from an mp3 player.


cole. x

Argh! Don't get me started on Ipods!

I gave up on mine. I've had it for 5 months and the battery dies within 5, 10 minutes max. After being fully charged.

I can't be bothered erasing all my songs, filling out a form on the net, and sending it away for however many weeks it will take!

My friends have all had issues with their ipod mini's too.

I'm just giving up. I think I'll go for another brand next time...

monkey - you didn't say that it had software shortcomings that need solving or even that it didn't have full functionality straight out of the box - you simply said it lacked functionality and couldn't do things that you wanted it to do.

that is untrue

if the shortcomings of the software bundled with the hardware qualifies for a 'lack of functionality' of the hardware then you could just as well say that pc's 'lack functionality'

and after saying "the mainstreamness of the ipod isn't the cause of my dislike" you now make reference to "Apple's attempts to create a vertical monopoly in the industry, which is probably the most valid criticism of the ipod" - do you hate it for being sucessful or not...?

my ipod is all white and shiny 2 years after i bought it, has lovely touch controls and has a great range of third party software and hardware to support it.

which means it looks better, feels better and *is* better than the other players on the market.

this is just the walkman argument updated for the new century - the monopoly criticism was levelled at sony when they virtually created the personal portable music market in the late 70's/early 80's.

the same is happening to apple now.

consider this: what was the state of the portable mp3 player market before ipods...?


roarfire - just get one of these.
comes with full instructions and is really easy to do.


cole. x

Col, I'll back you up here - Apple have come in to the market with an amazing product, and taken it over. They have stoped some features that they could have put in becuase (I guess) because of potential copyright laws (think about being able to copy music off a fully loaded iPod out of the box - they wouldn't get people signing up to the music store if they did that).

Anyway, this is not a debate about Apple.

Will - being an Apple follower I am keen for them to do the right thing and sort it out for you. I am quite good at getting what I want on the phone (and in other places like wetherspoons...), and I have found that you need to talk to a manager and tell them you are contacting trading standards about it. If it comes to it, write to apple with pictures and give them a deadline to reply by (1 week is a good idea). forward everything apple said to trading standards and they will follow it up. they do a great job. If you really don't want an iPod any more then you can always sell it on ebay and get something else.

I really think you can get a new iPod here, you just need to fuss about it. You can tell them that you are going to the press as well if you like