Tag: Apple Store

iPod classic May Have Battery Drain-o Bug

Paul

Today there was some buzz about a battery bug in the iPod classic. Since perceived bugs aren’t always universal, or even widespread, we like to wait a bit before sounding the alarm. Well, this afternoon, when I plugged in an iPod classic that I swore was close to fully charged and saw the “Please connect to a power source” error message you can see above, I decided to dig deeper.

Sure enough, many, many classic owners are experiencing troubles. On this Apple Support thread alone, 33 posts discuss the issue, with speculation about whether the cause is use of Cover Flow or even leaving the clock display on (for as long as it lasts) when music isn’t playing. Most people say the problem hit when they upgraded to 1.02, the supposed classic “fix.”

In my own circumstance, the cause couldn’t be Cover Flow, because I rarely use it. (Sorry Steve!) It could definitely be related to the 1.02 update, as I had no problems until I updated. If you haven’t updated to 1.02, you may want to hold off. If you have, some people recommend restarting it to get it out of its continuous battery-draining spin. Some people simply recommend taking it back to the Apple Store for a replacement.

And they say the I-Pod firmware update was needed. I’d hold off on updating your Classic till they fix the problem.

Steve Jobs: iPhone SDK In Dev Hands February ’08

Paul

The Steve has listened to our incessant whining and now he’s writing something I’ve been waiting to read for many months: “Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February.” That’s the lead-in from his letter on Apple.com saying the third-party app SDK for native iPhone programs is coming in early ’08. It’ll also do iPod touch programs. Jobs also explains the delay: Making the iPhone more open while keeping it secure from viruses has been a challenge. They’re taking their time, and doing it right. Arn from Macrumors points out that the piece includes hints that Apple might pick up a digital signature system for app verification. P.S. Kudos for Businessweek on scooping this ahead of time, but Fake Steve called it first, bluffing or not. P.P.S We’ll really have to wait a while to find out the exact details of app development to fully celebrate, but right now, I gotta admit, I feel like a born-again fanboy. [Apple. BTW, that Digg badge links to the apple.com website, so keep it floating.]

I hope they get those apps out soon!! 😉

Some Apple Geniuses Restoring Bricked iPhones

Paul

You know damn well that when you unlocked your iPhone, it’d only be good until the next software update. Don’t kid me. You knew it.

Now your iPhone is an expensive paperweight and Apple says you voided your warranty. Try to take it to an Apple Store or send it back to Apple and you’ll get denied. Lucky for you, some Apple employees working the Genius Bar have compassion and will restore your iPhone back to its original, locked state. Hey, be grateful and take what you can get.

No word yet if the restored iPhones were even originally bricked. Some people are even claiming that Apple employees are straight up swapping units with brand new ones for customers. If your iPhone got bricked from the updated, I highly suggest running to your local Apple Store(s) and getting it fixed before store managers come down on employees with great fury.

Oh I bet Apple isn’t happy about this!! I hope the people at the Genius bars aren’t going to get fired over this.