One Man’s Blog
Specialization is for Insects.
Posted on Aug 13, 2008 - 9:09am by John P. in Audio, Gadgets, Reviews
This is one of those times I’m gonna vent. So get ready…
Yesterday I was at Costco to get meat to make my world famous Souvlaki when I decided on a whim to purchase an Apple iPod Touch. This thing sells for $489, so right off the bat it had better be good.
Now, I don’t know jack about iPods or iPhones, but the signs in Costco all said something about coming with the latest greatest software functionality and they tell you all these things you can do with it… surf the web, watch movies, etc. So, I left the store happy and went home to give it a try.
The first thing I did was plug it into my laptop which was already running iTunes (required for iPods), and iTunes started syncing up with it. Meanwhile it prompted me to register my new device. So, I’m thinking, “Ok, cool. I’ll give you my details and all since you are about to entertain me”.
Now, get this. After I finish registering the first thing that happens is I get this huge notification that there is “a new software version 2.0″ available, and just click here to get it! So, now I’m excited. Yippee! I’m gonna get the brand new software for my brand new iPod! So, I click on the link and Apple tells me, we’re so glad you decided to upgrade! That’ll be $9.99 please.
WTF? $10?!? I just unboxed the device and you’re telling me you want me to purchase an upgrade or I can’t have all of it’s functionality?!? I mean seriously, I haven’t even used it once! The headphones have not even been plugged in! And, it’s a $500 product.
Excuse me Apple - but that is F-ed Up. Creative would never do that to me (and the Zen kicks ass too by the way).
There is nothing I hate more than nickel and dimeing people, and this is the biggest complaint I’ve heard from all of my friends with Apple products. “You’re gonna love it, but be prepared to pay!”
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I’m a 20-year Mac user. I much prefer it to all the other platforms. But I’m not a cultist, and I’ve had some horrendous customer service nightmares with them.
Whatever mystique the company might have, remember that it’s still as venal and profit-oriented as any other corporation. Never forget that, even while admiring the products — which are often pretty slick. They’d better be, or I’d have given up on them long ago.
Charging for an upgrade right out of the box is quite an insult. I’d be miffed, too.
I thought it was pretty crazy they were charging $10 for updating the iPod Touch to the 2.0 firmware. *Especially* since the update’s main purpose is to allow for users to buy programs in the App Store. Also, iPhone users got the update for free. I really think Apple sometimes just makes bonehead decision with the idea of “We’re apple, people will pay.” Eventually people will turn away from Apple if they keep this attitude up.
I’m in the process of trying to decide whether or not to buy an ipod shuffle for the gym or go for one of the more expensive models. I don’t want anything too bulky so the shuffle is probably the preferred size. Then I might want the wrist strap thingy to put it in, or a decent set of headphones, etc. it’s all adding up to be more than what I originally planned. More research to be done I think.
Wow. If you didn’t have the 2.0 software right out of the box, that’s not Apple’s fault! That specific iPod must have been on the shelf for a while. The 2.0 software was released in early- to mid-July!
Well, that is what I thought originally too. But then I actually called Apple and told them what happened, and they said, “Yeah, sorry.”
So just to be certain, I asked them the following question:
The answer was, “No.”
So, there is no excuse for that in my book.
John
Wow. I apologize for that, John. I wasn’t aware of that (and I’m a mac fan boy XD). I can understand the whole “free for iPhone, $10 for iPod Touch” (since iPhone users pay a subscription) but not shipping with it? You’re right. That’s inexcusable.
U r not the only one
That is majorly lame, I have to say! I’d definitely be pissed, too! So, tell us ….did you pay the 10 bux?
Yes, I did. Because I have sucker written all over me apparently.
John
The gadgets are great, but they should come with a pre-installed current version software with a licence that permits free updates there after. I mean that’s the least they can do for you after paying that heavy price tag for the accessory.
And I thought Microsoft was the only company that’s that greedy.
i thought this was kinda funny cuz i read the article and rigt under it where your add is theres a ad for autoiphoneunlocker.com and its a iphone ad by google. i dont know thought it was ironic that that would pop up right under it