Last weekend we reported that Apple was recalling some of their first generation iPod Nanos with concerns that the ageing battery could overheat. And those of you hoping for an easy upgrade to the latest gen model will be disappointed.
Even though the recall warned users that it could take up to six weeks to get their replacement, some customers have already received them. And while a lot us had assumed that Apple would be swapping them out with the latest generation touchscreen model, that turns out not to be the case. According to a MacRumors reader who’s already received their replacement, it looks like Apple is sending out first gen iPod Nano refurb units with a 90 day warranty.
I wanted to pass along some info about the iPod Nano exchange program Apple started over the weekend. I just received the replacement and it is an exact replacement. No upgrade. Same capacity and everything. The only upside is that it is “new” (probably refurbished), so it’s clean in comparison to my old one.
You can probably also assume the replacement units are packing a fresh new battery, free of the defects that could cause the five year old model to overheat. It’s certainly disappointing, but given the original Nanos could actually catch fire in worst case scenarios, it’s probably still worth getting yours replaced. [MacRumors via iLounge]
Eccentric
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 9:17 AMWhat is the point in that? Surely they could have at least offered to trade it up, you pay a nominal difference?
Blake
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 2:06 PMBecause that is not how recalls work.
It would have been nice if they did that, but they are under no obligation to do so.
They are probably grabbing the nanos and refurbishing them.
Eccentric
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 2:45 PMYes I know that! but ten years down the track it would make more sense to upgrade or at least have the choice, not get back an outdated device you probably won’t use again anyway!
Steve
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 5:43 PMMakes sense for us consumers, not for Apple. I’m sure they had millions of refurbished first gen nanos from returns during its lifetime, just taking space in warehouses somewhere, that no-one would pay for, and this was a good way to get rid of them.
TSH
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 9:52 AMIf you’re still using that particular device, it’s probably because you have a kind of affection for that particular gadget. In that case, I don’t see a problem with getting the same thing back. No doubt Apple has extra spare parts (batteries etc) and figured that instead of chucking them out after 5 years figured they could invest it in goodwill.
Deb
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 1:57 PMI wouldn’t have thought they’d have so many of the old nanos lying around… haha oh well!
Nads
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 3:29 PMI think that’s awesome, those were the best looking Nano’s IMO
Brett
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 3:41 PMDo you think that they will run out of the old models? I’m sure they don’t have an unlimited amount of old iPods.
Steve
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 5:46 PMEvery time a device is returned at a Genius bar, it gets refurbished and probably stored somewhere waiting to be replaced for another faulty device that’s brought in, or sold via their website. I’m sure there are millions of them, that exceed the number of nanos in this recall. So getting rid of old stock that no-one would ever buy at this point, is a win-win for them.
John
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:54 PMvery dissapointing, but would expect nothing less from Apple. They are greedy and will cut corners wherever they can. I have had enough of the price gouging, paying $249 for a refurbished 3G iPhone when my battery died was bad enough.
I have one of these iPod’s, but will not go to the trouble of sending it off to receive exactly the same thing back.