1st to 6th Generation iPod Nano: The Evolution of a Product Recall

Original images from news.cnet.com and mp3downlib.com

When large companies announce that they are recalling a product because of a discovered defect, you either say:  "I don't care, I don't have that," or, "Oh my, God! It's my car / medicine / food / computer (add your now defective product)  I could have died," or, "Recall?  Woo-hoo! Re-place-ment...re-place-ment!"

My wife recently exclaimed woo-hoo!

Though no one was complaining, or even if there were a few who did, their voices were drowned by the hype of the next new thing - 7 years ago.  Mac Intosh then launched its revolutionary iPod Nano that allowed users to store 2-gigabyte's worth (that was huge then) of music in a small tablet that was only a little bigger, but much thinner than a matchbox.  And it came with a trailblazing click wheel control system, a precursor to the touchscreen that would train human fingers a new set of movements.  Needless to say, it was the dawning of a new cool. And Apple was starting it all.

My wife was one of those to have the first generation iPod Nano.  And she was doubly lucky as she got hers in a Christmas party raffle.

A lot has happened to the iPod since then.  In fact, a lot has happened to technology since that fateful Christmas party. Again, with Apple at the front and center of it all.

Fast forward to present times.  Well, not really current present, but approximately present time. A few months back, my wife got across a news announcing that Apple was recalling all first gen iPod Nano units belonging to a certain manufacturing batch because of battery defects that may, yes may, cause overheating.

Except for a damaged earphone (our dog, who was then a puppy, chewed on it), my wife's unit is in pristine condition -- no visible scratches, and definitely no nicks.  And yes, she hasn't encountered an overheated battery, either.

At the first chance we got, we dropped by the Power Mac Center at Greenbelt.  After a short inspection of my wife's unit, the Apple technician asked her to fill up a form and told her to wait about a month for her replacement unit to arrive.

A month passed, and no unit. Not even a word from the Power Mac Center.  I've always had high regards for Mac Intosh, its trailblazing design, future-oriented products, and efficient and reliable service.  So it was a bit of a disappointment that they would renege on their word, though it was not really a notarized contract.

But how they made up for it.  Days ago, my wife was jumping up and down as she held on to her phone containing a text message that said:

Greetings from Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3.  The replacement iPod has arrived.  We are glad to inform you  that Apple has decided to replace your 1st Generation iPod Nano with a 6th Generation model.  Thank you for making Power Mac your preferred Apple Service Provider. Disclaimer: Please be advised that this model is applicable for this batch of replacement.  Apple may decide to change the model for the succeeding batch of replacements.

The 6th gen iPod Nano is much different from its original incarnation as it is squarish versus the rectangular configuration of the latter.  It can also be used as a watch or as an arm accessory - perfect for active people.  In fact, it was designed with sports buffs in mind as it has, together with Nike, a feature that monitors heart rate and calorie count.  Plus, it comes with an 8 gig memory that suddenly makes the 2-gig brain of the original Nano alzheimeric in comparison.

Original images from freshbump.com and swimmer.co.uk

I really have to give it to Apple. Recalling a product whose defect no one howled about?  And some 7 years after the fact?  Now that is great after sales service, if ever there was one.  Now my wife has extra bounce in her steps.  Must be the 6th gen Nano's adrenaline rush.