Paul Shadwell RTFM

Product Red Ripoff in Zurich Apple Store

Ok, as I mentioned in my previous post I bought the Red iPod Nano because it was the only one in the store (not surprisingly it is also the best seller). I wasn’t sure what the deal was with Product Red and where was the extra 10 francs going.

After looking at the USA Apple website I found that all the Nanos are priced the same for the 8Gb at $199 for all including the Red one. I thought this odd so went to the Swiss site and found also there, all of the Nanos are the same price as is the Red one at Chf 319. So why is the store in Zurich charging Chf 329 for the Red Nano?

I shall be calling Apple tomorrow to find out. Stay tuned.

The new iPod Nano

Mon 17/09/2007 17:11
This is my new iPod Nano. I walked into the Apple store in Zurich hoping to see the iPod Touch in stock but of course it wasn't. I asked the assistant at the counter if he had the iPod Touch, I asked in English and his reply was in English but I had to ask him to repeat what he said, each time gleaning a little more information each time. First he said "We have 3 in for weeks" I said "You have 3 in stock", he repeated "3 in for weeks" I said do you have any now?" his reply "No" then repeated "3 in for weeks". surmised that what in fact he was trying to say was that they will have the iPod Touch in stock in 3 to 4 weeks, either that or they will have 3 iPod Touches in stock in 4 weeks.

So seeing that there were iPod Nanos in stock I asked to one. As usual a ploy for you to spend more money at the Apple store, they only had the 4Gb in Silver (the only colour for the 4Gb) and the 8Gb in Product Red and that was it. I paid the extra 10 francs for the Red one. It is after all a nice colour and the extra money goes to a good cause (apparently).

On opening the wonderful packaging (clear stickers at either end) I lifted out the Nano cradled on it's own piece of plastic. I couldn't figure out how to dismount it from the plastic until I found on the back a graphic on how to prise the Nano from it's holder.

At first glance the amazing thinness of this iPod is astounding. The front is a nice annodised red while the back is in chrome. In the case is also the ear buds, a USB cable and a dock adapter. There is also a red card and small manual, In my case all in French, German and Italian.

I turned on the Nano and was pleased to see enough battery life for me to have an initial play. Immediately the quality of the screen is apparent with 3d graphic icons associated with each menu item. I set the date and time after selecting the language and then the time zone. Setting the time zone after setting the time meant I had to set the time again as the default is California and I'm in Switzerland.

I plugged the Nano into my laptop and the drivers installed with no problem. The screen on the Nano comes up in colour showing the connector and saying Connected with a reminder underneath saying Eject Before Disconnecting.

I am now installing iTunes and will continue my review after.

iPod Video dies 1 week before new iPod announcements

Is this just a coincidence? Anyone else out there had this issue? Just a days before the announcement of new iPods on the 5th of September, my iPod video displayed the sad iPod icon and I could do nothing to recover it.

I took it to the Apple store in Zurich and they told me that because it was out of warranty (over 2 years old) it would be cheaper to buy a new one. They also gave me the URL of Rapid Repair in the US who specialise in repairing iPods.

I tried to buy a new iPod Video but no one had any in stock. Then I start reading the rumours about the new iPods and saw the new ones on the Apple website when they were launched.

But now I’m wondering if Apple sent out an update to iTunes that killed my iPod so I then have to go out a new one. Just a thought and not one for spreading vicious rumours or starting conspiricy theories :-)