Does Your iPod Lack Stamina?

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Author: Woyke, ElizabethBurrows, PeterBeucke, Dan

GEARWORLD

THE CLOCK IS TICKING for millions of owners of older iPods. The problem: Apple Computer's iPods run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Newer models are more efficient, but batteries for older models start degrading after 100 to 200 charges and need replacing after a year or two, says Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst. That means up to 2.2 million iPods sold from fall "03 to fall "04 may soon need new juice. Some owners are covered by a standard one-year warranty, while others have filed claims tied to a class-action suit. But many -- like software developer D'Arcy Norman, who says his iPod fell from six hours of power on a full charge to just one after 16 months of daily use -- have to pay to keep the tunes cranking. For $59, Apple offers an extended warranty or a replacement. Norman says he'll probably buy a third-party battery kit selling online for as little as $30. Meanwhile, Apple had its hands full last week handling complaints about broken or scratched screens on its newest iPod, the nano. Apple said a "vendor quality" problem caused screens to break in fewer than 0.1% of units sold. Customers with a defective screen can contact Apple for a free replacement.

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Copyright 2005

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By Elizabeth Woyke and Peter Burrows

Edited By Dan Beucke