Technology Topic

Originally posted by drewhiggins[..]

Spooky. I'll try my U2 one afterwards..

Originally posted by drewhiggins[..]

I'm back. The first iPod nano was released February 2005 - the U2 video iPod on October 2005.

A nano might last longer because of the flash memory used - the video uses a hard drive, more susceptible to damage.

Originally posted by drewhigginsHere's mine:

20GB photo

Dommed (it certainly is)


80GB classic

548 days 23 hours 53 minutes 8 seconds

Originally posted by drewhigginsThe nanos do last. The iPod mini we have here has lasted since 2001 and only one new battery. Very, very reliable. If all iPods lasted that long I'd be surprised.

If my photo one was made in November 2004 (from Apple's database records), and it died in July 2007 - almost three long years.

Originally posted by easports43[..]

Looks decent for your Classic. Unless you have problems like Gerard did...

They are very reliable indeed. A lot more reliable than my friends Zune. He's on his 3rd battery and he bought it in Feb. 2007.

Originally posted by drewhiggins[..]

I hope not. But he had almost all the problems in the world didn't he? Check out his posts on the Apple site...that's quite bad.



[..]

I haven't seen Zunes here in Australia anywhere. It seems hardly anyone knows of them. But a third battery - not good. You see Zens, Sansa, iPod etc in all the big chain stores (which I do try and stay away from) but Zune is never seen. I did see a touch the other day for about $550 in Kmart (my favourite store). Unfortunately we haven't got the iPhone (officially) in Australia yet because Apple's still negotiating with some providers to have it sold.

Originally posted by easports43[..]

Really? You guys don't have the iPhone yet?

Originally posted by drewhiggins[..]

Nope, and it may not be until November 2009 according to Apple Australia.

There are reports today of problems with new Apple(AAPL - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) software for the current top-of-the-line, 80 GB ($249) and 160 GB ($349) iPod Classic models.

Users are complaining that the recently released operating-system update for their music players is causing a somewhat serious electrical problem for their music systems.

According to iLounge.com, users are complaining that iPod Classics whose firmware has recently been upgraded to Version 1.1 are sending residual electrical pulses through the headphone jack -- as well as the iPod docking connection (on the bottom of every music player) -- when the iPods are turned off. Those pulses, measured at 500mv of DC, could conceivably cause damage to any attached equipment.

Stereophile.com is reporting that most users of iPod Classics on both headfi.com (a Web site for a super-high-end headphone amplifier manufacturer) and Apple users forums reported only that they had experienced "hiss," "static" or "buzzing" after updating the player's firmware.

A few users reported the upgrade either froze their iPods (Apple replaced their iPods) or the upgrade removed their stored music files.

As per company policy, there has been no official response from Apple as to any problem with iPod Classic upgrades or any related fixes.



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With 34 years experience as a journalist -- the last 27 with NBC -- Gary Krakow has seen all the best and worst technology that's come along. Gary joined MSNBC.com before it actually went online in July 1996. He produced and anchored the first live Webcast of a presidential election in November 1996. With a background as a gadget freak, audiophile and ham radio operator, Krakow started writing reviews for both Audio and Stereophile Magazines in the 80s. Once at MSNBC.com, Krakow started writing a column to help feed his personal passion for playing with gadgets of all types, shapes and sizes. Within a short time, that column became a major force in many electronics industries -- audio, video, photography, GPS and cell phones. Readership soared, and manufacturers told him they had actual proof that a positive review in his column sold thousands of their products. Many electronics manufacturers have used quotes from his reviews in their sales literature as well as on their Web sites. There have also been a few awards too, including Emmys in the 70s, 80s and 90s.