I don't get it. I have always liked Apple. But for some reason, they won't fix my iPod Touch. I don't know what to do.
For the past month or so, I've had a rough time connecting my iPod to my computer. Granted, I can usually get it connected by wiggling the plug in and out of the socket on the iPod, but lately, it's also been having problems connecting to my dock and my wall charger.
I listen to my iPod a lot, so naturally, I procrastinated sending it to them because I will miss it. But, eventually, it just becomes too much for me and I do. So what do they say to my problem? "Our technicians have performed full diagnostic checks on your IPOD TOUCH and have been unable to reproduce the symptom(s) you reported when you requested the repair. As a result of our tests, we can confirm that your product meets Apple specifications for performance, usability, and functionality."
Okay, now before I sent it in, I wanted to make sure it wasn't my computer or my cable. First, I tried cleaning out the plug and the socket. No change, so I tested this iPod with three different cables, three different computers and at least two different versions of iTunes. I also tested two of the cords and two of the computers with other iPods to make sure they were working fine. This is all before I sent it to them. But, somehow, they can't reproduce it. They send it back to me.
So, I test it some more. This is when I noticed my wall charger was giving similar problems (I don't normally use my wall charger as the iPod's usually charging at my desk at work all day). I tested with another cable and another computer, both of which have no problems with my co-worker's iPod. I tested with 3 different iPod firmwares (1.1.4, 1.2.0, 1.2.1), 3 different iTunes (7.5, 8.0, 8.1) and still, it has trouble connecting. In fact, after it came back from Apple I noticed the trouble was in fact getting worse. Everything I connect my iPod to has the same problem. Most of the time, I have to pull the cable slightly out of the socket and move it around till I find a good connection point. Same with my wall charger; same with my bluetooth adapter.
Now, the bluetooth adapter was really the camel's straw, because up to that point, I could tolerate wiggling my cord whenever I wanted to charge it and just make sure I didn't bump it so it wouldn't come unconnected. But when I'm walking, there is no way I can keep it from moving around. It's not like I'm running or even jogging. I'm talking about a little jostling, not a bunch of hard jolts over and over.
So, I send it to them again. This time, I include a thorough list of all I've done to diagnose this. In total, I've tested it with 4 cables, 3 computers, at least 4 versions of iTunes and 3 different firmware versions. I asked them to please not return it without fixing and explained how frustrating it was the last time.
But alas, a few minutes ago, I got the results. "Our technicians have performed full diagnostic checks on your IPOD TOUCH and have been unable to reproduce the symptom(s) you reported when you requested the repair. As a result of our tests, we can confirm that your product meets Apple specifications for performance, usability, and functionality." Now, I come from a family of electronic and computer professionals. I can tell by my diagnosis that the soldering or connections to the socket circutry is coming loose. I'm half tempted to take the stupid thing apart myself and put it back together except that it would void my warranty. I've still got a year on my warranty, so I'm certainly not going to do that.
I don't know what I'm going to do. I guess I'm going to test it on more computers. More cables. There's no point in testing with more firmware's or iTunes versions, only the most recent one really matters anyways. I feel like I'm going crazy. What in the world is going on?
Is having a loose connection socket really meeting "Apple specifications for performance, usability, and functionality?" Someone scream for me. There's nothing to do but keep sending it in till some competent repair technician gets his hands on it and says, "Oh, this one's broken just like he says it is," or, till my warranty runs out, after all, it's not really usable this way; my head is too far away from my pocket to use the included ear buds while I'm walking because the cable's not long enough.
I think next time, I'm going to record a video for them demonstrating the problem. At least then, they can see what's going on with their own eyes. Perhaps I'll post that up here and on youtube. I've always wanted to post something on youtube.
Labels: ipod
Remember my post last night: 
Here's a quick upload of my program MultiPod that I've been working on in spare time. This is my first and only iPod application. It makes it so that you can swap multiple music/video/pic/bookmark libraries so that you can sync with multiple computers or convince your computer you have multiple iPods (or both!). It also allows you to require a password to be entered when switching to a library for those who may have sensitive information in your media.
