So, last month, I receive an email from Apple, telling me there may be a small chance the battery in my iPod Nano (1st Gen) might explode, because of its age, or somesuch...
and that I should register to return it to be replaced.

Now, having used it for quite a few years, and knowing the battery wasn't holding a charge for as long as it used to, I decided to say "What the hell", and do it. They then tell me there could be a 5-week turn-around.

Happy, I was not!

Apple sent me a pre-paid package to ship the iPod to their centre, and, just before Christmas, I shipped it off to them, following its journey on their website.

Yesterday, I get an UPS delivery, and inside the box that could easily fit a Gameboy (you know, the original brick model), there's this little cube thingummy, barely larger than a 50p piece.

O_o

"Where's the rest of it?! Did they only send me a new battery?!" I cried!

But no, it's an iPod Nano. Only not my 1st Gen with a new battery fitted, but a brand-spanking new 6th Gen model, with more features than you can shake a very pointy stick at. Including a radio receiver! NIIIIIIIIIIIICE!

Not bad, I say. Actually, very good. Unexpected, this.

I can almost start liking Apple....until I looked at the prices they're charging for rubber protector cases/screen protectors, etc.
I shit you not, they want £220 for a pair of EARPHONES!!

That is (or was ten years ago) actually quite usual for apple, that they replace a broken product with the next gen product if warranty issues arise. They don't have a "backstock" of old products to fall back onto.

My old computer science teacher was considering to "overcharge" our classroom iMacs at the end of their warranty to get new replacements ;-).

Apple is shitty as much as any other CE company out there, or even shittier. Surprised? If so, in these years you lived in a cloudy world of fantasy like the one the apple fanboys worship every fucking day of their worthless life....

Welcome to reality, indeed.....

My tip: send the headphones and the stuff they want to charge you for back and just take the ipod nano, then go to the next turkish handy shop and get replacements for 20 euro/dollar or whatever :P.

Lithium batteries, they're not natural. In my day we made do with Nickel, and we were damn thankful for it!

And don't get me started on brushless motors, it's witchcraft I tell you.

Yes and nickel was poisonous... :P

Which is why we don't eat batteries.....
;-}

what?? and how should I recharge my used energy? hmm?

You see those 2 conveniently finger sized hole in the wall, next to that switch....?

Phew yours must be old if they only have 2 slots - modern ones have 3 finger slots in them; though it seems my fingers are too oldschool - I need to upgrade to simmer more modern fingers

He knows, that I am in mainland europe. We do have the more secure 2 slot technique ;)

But I still have an adaptor to use the UK type in a modern european version ;)

3 Sockets good - 2 sockets bad!! ;)

Indeed. But that's far more prosaic, and less mildly-amusing anecdote than my hyperbolic story!

Shame on you for living up to the Germanic stereotype!

:P Indeed.
Was only really looking at the rubber silicone protector case - at £40! But I can e-Bay one for less than a £5er (plus a few more quid for P&P from China, like I did for the old one)...

and lithium is not?

I never said it wasn't! :D