RSSApple to Fix Nano Screens, Not Scratches
By Nate Mook | Published September 28, 2005, 12:25 PM
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Apple acknowledged that a manufacturing error led to a small percentage of iPod Nanos with weak screens, which could potentially crack in a tight pocket. Apple says it will replace any Nanos with broken displays, but not those with scratches.
Quality concerns surrounding the iPod Nano surfaced shortly after the product's debut earlier this month. Some users claimed the player scratches extremely easily, enough that it makes the screen difficult to read. Others reported cracks in the Nano's color LCD screen after standard use.
The problems have even led Nano owner Matthew Peterson to set up a Web site to gather complaints of defects surrounding the diminutive player.
"This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units," explained Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller. "In fact, this issue has affected less than 1/10 of 1 percent of the total iPod Nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue."
As for the scratches, Schiller said the Nano was built using the same material found in the fourth generation iPod, which was free of complaints.
"We have received very few calls from customers reporting this problem – we do not think this is a widespread issue," said Schiller. "If customers are concerned about scratching we suggest they use one of the many iPod Nano cases to protect their iPod."
In a response on his site, Peterson said, "I am very delighted to see Apple take this issue seriously. It is sad that it took a website and a lot of publicity before they finally investigated, but at least future Nano users with the same problem I had will not be subjected to the same treatment that I was."
"I know a lot of people are going to complain that they still have to spend extra money on a case to prevent scratching," Peterson added. "I guess I can handle using an iPod sock on my Nano knowing that I can look at my screen and show someone a picture."
hey apple, release the numbers\figures. we don't beleive you and shouldn't based on your poor record on these situations.
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|Very confusing. My iPod Photo had a cracked display 4 months ago from keeping in my pocket too and Apple refused to fix it. Why on earth will they replace the Nano.
Mine could have been from a bad batch too.
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|"Some users claimed the player scratches extremely easily, enough that it makes the screen difficult to read."
Some? How 'bout no. Let's try a ton. I've seen this scratched screen issue come up a hundred times already. Apple's just being stingy. That's it.'
One more reason I'll never purchase one.
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|I wouldn't buy one either, but i've got my eyes on this baby with ogg and linux support:
http://www.newegg.com/Pr...sp?Item=N82E16855603827
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|Thank God I'm not an early adopter!
-B-
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|My black Nano is badly scratched after just a week's use. My Siemens SL55 phone has 1 scratch after 18 months use. I treat both with the same care. Clearly the Nano's finish is fragile. If Apple are shipping a fragile product they should supply the case. They have offered no solution, in response to my emailed complaints. An interesting way of assuring customer satisfaction.
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|well as far as i know there are clear plastic screen protectors for pdas and other electronics. they are usually and additional accessory, and under $10 for a multi pack. since the nano has such a small screen in comparison why not just trim one and throw it on there? you can probably get more use out of the pack too as i'm sure one pda cover can probably do multiple nanos
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|I have a PDA and about 6 cell phones....None of which have scratches. The samsung E715 and Razr screens I hear are easily scratched, I don't have even the tiniest on mine. I have scratches on my Nokias cuz they seem to just BEG to be dropped or catapulted like missiles from the every now and again loose grip, but thay's about it. No screen scratches. And I'm a busy guy.
It's really difficult to scratch things. By habit however, I have keys and wallet in one pocket and electronic devices in another - so maybe it's just me. Then I got the nano. Not a big fan of Apple stuff but the nano was so cute and small and come on - the smaller things get, the more we want them, even if we don't need them....the screen had about 5 scratches within 3 days. Thought it was just me (again). You'd think 5 scratches were nothing, but wow....it makes a big difference. Also, most people think "oh buy something to stick it in" - well, if something is REQUIRED to cover a product, don't you think they should ship it with it? (Kinda like batteries and earphones?) In any case, I'm not one of the complaining horde. I simply returned mine for cash/credit. If I want a screen in color, I think I'll go with an Iriver.
Till then, my Zen works fine.
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|"Apple says it will replace any Nanos with broken displays, but not those with scratches"
Heheheee.!!!
Anyone who wanna change a scratched ipod nano shoud brake the screen, :) whear some tight pants put'it in your back pocket and sit on a bench
Not guarranteed to work!!! :P
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|I just left that little sticky plasticy cover thingy on my phone. It's scratched to death, but the screen underneath is fine.
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|It figures someone from Canada would come up with a solution like yours.
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|I bought a case for my phone to keep the creen from getting scratched...am I privy to some universal secret about these things getting scratched, or are the dipsh!t massess just trying to excuse their unmitigated stupidity?
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|And how did you find out about it getting scratched? Are there big warning labels all over the product saying casual use will scratch it? I didn't think so. YOu found a scatch one day when you started using a phone and there you found yourself, getting pissed, but getting a cover for that phone.
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|The difference between your phone and the nano is that your phone probably has a scratch-resistant coating on its screen. Mine does. Hell, my MP3 player has one too.
From what I've seen, the iPod nano has no coating, which is just stupid. Honestly, that would cost them about $1 per player to coat the nano with a scratch-resistant spray, but it seems like they felt that having a shinier player was more important.
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|Interesting...but wrong.
It's a screen, for god's sake. I'f I carried my monitor in my pocket, I'd get a cover for that as well. Cd's scratch, glass scratches, all with casual use.
So does the nano...go figure.
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|I honestly have never seen a spray do that.
I've had scratch resistant glassess. I have serious doubts as to their efficacy, apparently Apple does as well.
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|You're arguing on the wrong side here. You're simply wrong about it. The Nano has a poorly designed screen that can scratch from dust blowing across the surface. People have a right to complain. Wouldn't you upset if you purchased a computer that had a chassis that cracked under the slightest pressure? Give up, you don't know what you're saying.
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|its not about scratch, come on, did you ever use a cellphone, or a pocketpc? everyscreen will get scratches
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|So, if you have scratches on your screen and would like it replaced, first you have to break it completly. (Did they not see that coming?) The screen needs a polycarbonate cover.
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|haha that's what i was thinking!
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|How do we know if our Nano was affected and who do we contact?
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|If you screen is cracked, your Nano is affect :P
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|well I got that much, but is there a way to tell BEFORE that happens? like checking s/n or the like??
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|well at the risk of sounding like and idiot.....
You could try cracking it.
Couldn't resist.
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|"I know a lot of people are going to complain that they still have to spend extra money on a case to prevent scratching,"
well what do they think is going to happen. I can see where they are complaining about the cracked screens but they should be aware that the screen will scratch, Duh.
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|Finally!! Apple did the right thing. :)
Matt we support you!
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|The issue was ticking a lot of Nano owners off. Unfortunately they used a different type of plastic for the screen and the body- this had lead to a percentage of people finding that their new nano had ridiculous amounts of scratches after being put in your pocket for 2 hours. Some people ( a friend of mine) tried to brush a piece of crud from his screen, his fingers actually scratched the screen. So much so that it warped the screens ability to view anything.
- I realize some people are lazy- or not too carfeul with their toys, but this is ridiculous. To only replace CRACKED screens and not scratched ones this close to launch is crazy.
- Nano seems sub par compared the other apple products manufacturing processing.
I agree with Black wolf in the sense that this is something Apple SHOULD be doing.
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