Think your iPod Nano's screen is too small? Then check out this do-it-yourself iPod Nano video enlarger. It's made out of an old 35mm slide viewer, hacked to include portable speakers. Very cool.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Saturday, September 22, 2007
New iPod Line Bogged Down With Flaws
Well well well, looks like quality control over at Apple is down lately. Have you gotten your new iPods? If so I hope you're not one of the unlucky ones who have recieved flawed items. They're not exactly defective, they're just less than perfect. And I know a lot of people expect perfection from Apple.
For instance, several iPod Nanos have been reported to have tilted screens. Of course these are just physical defects, but a lot of people can be nitpicky about their gadgets. My cousin got her Nano and I noticed it was slightly tilted. The bottom right side was about a millimeter higher than the bottom left side. I told her about it and she basically said she didn't care.
Good for her! I would have gone totally crazy and demanded a replacement from the Apple store. Unfortunately for Apple, there are a lot more people like me... check out this thread from the Apple support forums and this thread from MacRumors. Fortunately however, Apple is taking responsibility and replacing the units with tilted screens. The problem is, it seems like there are more units with tilted screens than ones with straight screens.
To add to that, the iPod Touch isn't even supposed to be out yet but people are already complaining about the poor lcd screen quality. I'm talking about the "negative black effect." To non geeks, it simply means that videos with dark scenes (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer perhaps... hey, I loved that show) will look like crap on your iPod Touch. And considering the fact that this iPod model was designed to play videos, it should have a damned great lcd screen.
And in a shocking twist, a few new iPhone owners are now complaining that their new iPhones are dispalying the same problem as the iPod Touch's screens. Go figure. Maybe they were cutting corners at the Apple factory? One thing's for sure though, if Apple keeps this up, it looks like they're going to be making more enemies than friends.
For instance, several iPod Nanos have been reported to have tilted screens. Of course these are just physical defects, but a lot of people can be nitpicky about their gadgets. My cousin got her Nano and I noticed it was slightly tilted. The bottom right side was about a millimeter higher than the bottom left side. I told her about it and she basically said she didn't care.
Good for her! I would have gone totally crazy and demanded a replacement from the Apple store. Unfortunately for Apple, there are a lot more people like me... check out this thread from the Apple support forums and this thread from MacRumors. Fortunately however, Apple is taking responsibility and replacing the units with tilted screens. The problem is, it seems like there are more units with tilted screens than ones with straight screens.
To add to that, the iPod Touch isn't even supposed to be out yet but people are already complaining about the poor lcd screen quality. I'm talking about the "negative black effect." To non geeks, it simply means that videos with dark scenes (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer perhaps... hey, I loved that show) will look like crap on your iPod Touch. And considering the fact that this iPod model was designed to play videos, it should have a damned great lcd screen.
And in a shocking twist, a few new iPhone owners are now complaining that their new iPhones are dispalying the same problem as the iPod Touch's screens. Go figure. Maybe they were cutting corners at the Apple factory? One thing's for sure though, if Apple keeps this up, it looks like they're going to be making more enemies than friends.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Looking Back: The iPod Archives
Earlier today, I was looking for a discussion thread about the latest Steve Jobs Keynote. I've already read a lot of the comments at Engadget but I guess I'm not over it yet. Reading everyone's posts always makes my day. You can't get any more attacks and arguments anywhere else. Everyone has their own opinion, everyone thinks they're right and everyone wants to be heard.
After searching "ipod forums" in Google, I found a thread in the Macrumors.com forums. It was titled "Apple's New Thing (iPod)". I thought the title was a bit weird. I mean, it makes it sound as if the iPod was a newly launched product. After reading a couple of posts, lo and behold, I realize I was reading an archived thread started when the original iPod was announced almost 6 years ago! A lot of the posts amused me, they ranged from disappointed to delusional. A lot of the posters actually hated the iPod back then! Here are a rundown of my fave posts (my comments are in green)...
WeezerX80 wrote: "I still can't believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently! Why oh why would they do this?! It's so wrong! It's so stupid!" [Perhaps he was expecting a jetpack backpack?]
elitemacor wrote: "It's now at the online Apple Store! $400 for an Mp3 Player! I'd call it the Cube 2.0 as it wont sell, and be killed off in a short time...and it's not really functional. Uuhh Steve, can I have a PDA now?" [6 years later, MP3 players, particularly iPods, are one of the fastest selling gadgets around and PDAs are the ones practically extinct...]
Guest wrote: "I have no use for an Mp3 player. My house has a CD player. My car has a CD player. My Mac has a CD player. I don't use headphones. The iPod requires me to change my lifestyle to meet it's needs... I need round holes, not square holes. For $99 I might buy the toy, for $399? Why? Doesn't a Mac with a CDR undermine the need for most of this? All that's left is the number of songs you can play and the ability to listen to all of them with headphones anywhere. Do I really need ALL my songs ALL the time?uhm, no. Won't last. Another Cube." [Of course I need all my songs all the time! I need all my podcasts and movies and tv shows with me everywhere I go as well! And Mr. Guest, no one is asking you to change your lifestyle. You can have your CDs if you love them so much. LOL.]
Smelt wrote: "Lots of hype. Now I gripe. 400 bucks! Is Steve nuts? Digital hub??? What a flub! Stupid name. Who to blame? Come on folks-no more jokes..." [Uhm, your rhymes aren't great, you won't get paid... Ok, mine was worse... next...]
myassmuh wrote: "i'm not expecting a $200 time machine, but damn, why can't i have a $200 ipod. or even better a $50 or $100 dollar product that can expand userbase and introduce people to the apple product line. want people in the stores? try offering a deal, steve." [Uh, he just did... and now people hate him...]
It just proves that techies are whiners through and through. Haha, I've whined a couple of times myself. Anyway, here's the link to the thread if you want to check it out yourself... [thread]. Enjoy!
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Sunday, September 9, 2007
Reviews on the iPod Nano (3G)
The moment the new iPod Nano was announced Apple lovers rushed to their nearest Apple stores and bought themselves their very own "nano fatty". And despite the uncertainty over it's new look when it was first leaked (read the replies), based on the numerous reviews just released, people are now loving it's squat look. I'm starting to think that everything Steve Jobs touches turnes to gold. I'd have to admit that even though I have no intentions to buy one myself (I've got my heart set on the iPod Touch), it looks pretty good to me.
But the Nano Fatty isn't just great in the looks department. The reviews are in and the new iPod Nano is officially a hit. Reviewers are raving about it's long battery life, relatively cheap price, and it's sharp screen. Here's a round-up of reviews from only the most trusted sources, brought to us by Engadget.
Read - PC Mag
Read - CNET
Read - ZDNet Australia
Read - iLounge
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