Apple admits to iPod problem

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated:

 

APPLE has admitted to problems with some of its iPods after it was hit by a wave of complaints.

Nano iPod

The computer giant conceded that there was a problem with screens on some devices, which holds up to 1,000 songs or 25,000 photographs.

Owners of the £179 music player, which has been selling at the rate of five a minute in Dixons stores, had complained the display screen cracks easily.

The tiny machine, measuring 3½ by 1½ inches and the thickness of five credit cards, was described as an 'impossibly small size' which could fit into the smallest pocket.

But, according to a number of owners, it cannot stand the strain. They say the LCD screen can break even when subject to the relatively mild stresses of being stored alongside money or keys. Sometimes, it is claimed, it has cracked for no reason at all.

Disgruntled customers are airing their frustrations on the website www.flawedmusicplayer.com. One wrote: 'After having the Nano for about a week and babying it completely, I was studying at the library with it in my front pocket (and no it wasn't being sat on). After about two hours at the library, I took the Nano back out of my pocket and, lo and behold, the LCD screen was cracked.'

Another wrote: 'Last night I broke my iPod while it was simply sitting in my pocket. I was destroyed.' A heartbroken 15-year-old told how he had owned his Nano for just five hours when it broke as he sat with it in his pocket while watching a film.

Jason Jenkins, of the technology magazine T3, said: 'It's not really very surprising that some of these things are breaking. They really are incredibly thin and fragile-looking. Nothing like this has ever been built before.'

The complaints threaten a setback to what has become a cultural phenomenon. About 21m iPods have been sold worldwide since the first generation model was launched in November 2001. Their headphones are a common sight in the ears of commuters, joggers and shoppers and many celebrities have been pictured using them. Even the Queen has confessed to owning one.

Apple today conceded that there had been a problem with the Nano but insisted it was not a design flaw. 'This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units,' a spokesman said.

'In fact, this issue has affected less than one tenth of 1% of the total iPod Nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue.'

Apple said any iPod nano owners who found their screens were cracked would get their music player replaced free of charge. Referring to the alleged easy scratching, Apple insists the product was made out of the same material as Apple's white fourth generation iPod which had received no complaints.

• TROUBLE WITH YOUR IPOD? Tell us about it on the message boards

Most watched Money videos