The REAL reason behind iPOD mini delays: FATAL DESIGN FLAW!

[PowerMacMan]

Why, Why, Why!

It's threads like this that get me so depressed, I should never have looked at this, it's unhealthy. I just ordered a green iPod mini and a silver iPod mini... Can't there be other explanations for this disaster... And where are all the mini's now, surely they should have some out at least, or are they fixing them... I just don't want to spend $550 on iDud minis...

The green iPod mini I ordered isn't going to ship until "on or before May 17, 2004"... Now that's a long time, and are they working on them or something... OR is this even a issue... I mean NONE have even shipped yet in the Apple Store. Now the grey iPod I ordered is scheduled for "on or before April 30th, 2004" Words of inspiration, and undepressionalism would be nice in the next post

 

[timhood]

Maybe Apple didn't want it that way

Who's to say that Apple didn't consider using a flexible cable connector instead of the current design? Maybe they had issues with keeping the connector securely mounted or maybe they didn't feel the cable would stay reliably connected. Who knows?

I've got a friend with a Sony digital camcorder that had to be repaired because a small cable came loose inside. It's not out of the realm of possibility for a device that gets handled a lot.

I'm not saying the current approach is the best one. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I'm just saying that because they didn't do it the way you would have done it doesn't mean it's bad or even not as good as your way.

 

[Paiser]

A pc user wants a Mini's

Hello all!
PC user here. Yes I feel weird.
Any ways. Ipod Mini's are having these frequent problems?
Let say if you this is a problem to me. What should I do? Should I take it a part and do ??? Or just go back to Apple.com and return it for repairs?

After the repairs will the Ipod Mini's will go berserk again?

If do it just plain stupid... Comon ITS AN IPOD Famour from the PC land to the MacWorld! FOr heavens sake seriously its an IPOD the best thing happen to mp3's. If this is a issue then, dissapointment from a HARDCORE PC user.
Not that anyone would care

 

[hob]

After the repairs will the Ipod Mini's will go berserk again?

Yes, it does sound pointless - but apple similarly dithered with iBook logic boards for a long time too.

 

[Paiser]

so seriously is there a point to get a ipod mini?
I really do like one but every2 weeks so, is there a real point to even get one?

 

[Counterfit]

so seriously is there a point to get a ipod mini?
I really do like one but every2 weeks so, is there a real point to even get one?

I'm not sure what you mean by "every 2 weeks", but if you need the smaller size (small pockets, exercise w/ the armband) or just think it's cute, buy one.

 

[goodwill]

I think many of us fore-saw this issue from the begining. Too bad this site doesn't pass out gold plated apple icons. Wait...............they probably could, but then they'd ask for them back two weeks later because it was really only metallic paint.

 

[Counterfit]

I think many of us fore-saw this issue from the begining. Too bad this site doesn't pass out gold plated apple icons. Wait...............they probably could, but then they'd ask for them back two weeks later because it was really only metallic paint.

How could anyone not on Apple's design team have foreseen this?

 

[titaniumducky]

iPod minis DO NOT have serious design flaws. ONLY A TINY PERCENTAGE HAS HAD ANY PROBLEMS!

 

[Counterfit]

iPod minis DO NOT have serious design flaws. ONLY A TINY PERCENTAGE HAS HAD ANY PROBLEMS!

Actually, it's one flaw, and that tiny percentage are the one's where the flaw has created a problem, not where the flaw exists.

 

[Koodauw]

Agreed. Anyone got some of those dancing Bananas that are holding the signs???

My Silver iPod Mini works fine, after a month of use. And its has taken a beating. (sorry iPod Mini, I will try and be more careful.) And if all the iPod are connected in this way...wouldnt all of them have problem??

Still hoping someone posts those Bananas....

Well Time to eat some crow. My iPod mini just started having the static problems. I know get to send it in and have them look at it. Thing is only two months old. Thats the way it goes I guess. Thank you Apple once again for letting your purchasers to be unpaid beta testers. Ugh. Between that and my recent battery problems and Apple telling me "It's perfectly normal to have your laptop just go to sleep with no warning anywhere below 30% battery life" has me ready to switch back to the PC world.

 

[Apple //e]

problem fixed?

so its mid august 2004 and im thinking of buying a mini. does anyone know if the new ones have had this issue fixed?

also, is the apple warranty international? if i buy a mini in the US, and this issue develops, can i have it fixed by apple mexico? i searched the website but it doesnt say anything

 

[hob]

so its mid august 2004 and im thinking of buying a mini. does anyone know if the new ones have had this issue fixed?

also, is the apple warranty international? if i buy a mini in the US, and this issue develops, can i have it fixed by apple mexico? i searched the website but it doesnt say anything

All i know is that when i was in the apple store in SoHo, New York 3 weeks ago, i reverently approached the first iPod MINI i'd seen... and it electrocuted me!!

Hob

 

[disco2354]

As seen on another website:
http://www.dancefrontdoor.co.uk/article2850.html

"Apple have said they will look into reports of sound problems with the new iPod mini digital music player.

This follows reports of some units that have had trouble with the headphone jack, leading to screeching sounds and static.

Apple have said it was aware of "a few isolated reports",

According to comments the problems with the player relate to the 10 connector pins that link the main electronics board in the device to a smaller one that attaches to the headphones socket.

Apple has acknowledged that some people have been having problems with the device, which comes with a standard one year warranty and 90 days of free technical phone support.

"If a customer has any technical issues, they should contact AppleCare," said a company spokesman. "

two points.
1. If it weren't for people like loladze giving up their time to inform, large companies like Apple wouldn't sit up and take notice. Thanx loladze

2.Loladze...you should of sent it back to Apple!

 

[Lacero]

I've had none of the problems with mine a year now. They still work great, still great battery life, I could not be happier with mine.

 

[bennetsaysargh]

disco2354, are you aware you just brought back a thread hat has been dead for the past 7 months?

 

[0098386]

phew! almost had a panic attack then! thought my 2G Mini could have been faulty!

but i did accidently wipe it earlier today oh dear

 

[yoda13]

Mine has been fine for almost a year as well, --knocks on wood--

 

[wide]

My mini had the problems after a few months of use. Apple gave me a new one and now I keep wishing that it will get its static back scroll wheel is in terrible shape and i still have a few months of applecare

 

[swisswuff]

static charge, not headphone

I have extensively played with my wife's not 'defunct due to static noise' iPod mini. To me, it appears as if a design problem becomes apparent, not as if the device is "broken".

I have not found any sensitivity of the noise that'd be particularly related to the headphone jack. I mean, mechanically straining the iPod mini which is somewhat flexible - including application of some force onto the headphone connector - will invariably change the static (i.e., make it worse or lessen it if it's there, or cause it to start if it's not there, depending on the moment).

I found that various ways of exposing the metal of the harddisk, and connecting it to various obviously "grounding" looking parts, change the static noise behaviour in somewhat systematical ways, without fundamentally causing them to go away entirely.

At one moment - I had sealed the backside of the drive against the mainboard using isolating tape -, the static noise was completely gone WHILE the iPod was hooked to the power recharger using the Firewire cable. At that same setup, unhooking made it almost unbearable to listen.

Grounding, and what parts to ground, are key in this issue. We now need to know why the static builds up, and what parts to ground. Then we can think about ways to concisely fix it.

Thank you for any concise contribution.

 

[Koodauw]

I have extensively played with my wife's not 'defunct due to static noise' iPod mini. To me, it appears as if a design problem becomes apparent, not as if the device is "broken".

I have not found any sensitivity of the noise that'd be particularly related to the headphone jack. I mean, mechanically straining the iPod mini which is somewhat flexible - including application of some force onto the headphone connector - will invariably change the static (i.e., make it worse or lessen it if it's there, or cause it to start if it's not there, depending on the moment).

I found that various ways of exposing the metal of the harddisk, and connecting it to various obviously "grounding" looking parts, change the static noise behaviour in somewhat systematical ways, without fundamentally causing them to go away entirely.

At one moment - I had sealed the backside of the drive against the mainboard using isolating tape -, the static noise was completely gone WHILE the iPod was hooked to the power recharger using the Firewire cable. At that same setup, unhooking made it almost unbearable to listen.

Grounding, and what parts to ground, are key in this issue. We now need to know why the static builds up, and what parts to ground. Then we can think about ways to concisely fix it.

Thank you for any concise contribution.

Way to drag up an old thread. Seeing as how the mini is no longer produced, and any Mini's that did have the problem were under warranty, I think this is really a moot point.

 

[Mord]

damn threadromancers....

 

[Jovian9]

Hmmm. We had a 1st a 2nd gen iPod Mini and never had any problems. Had them both for a little under a year each before selling them.

 

[wmmk]

my ipod mini takes 20 minutes to turn on

 

[AppleGuy08]

Damn who even cares about this anymore. iPod mini is gone and done with.