X-bit labs

Apple Admits Faulty iPod Touch Screens.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 09/23/2007 | 10:54 PM ]

Even though Apple’s latest iPod touch devices are currently positioned as the premium members of the digital media players from the company, some of them come with defective screens, which makes it impossible to watch certain videos on them. Even though Apple says that it is working to resolve the issue, this is the second major scandal with its devices in just several months.

Walt Mossberg, a journalist from the Wall Street Journal, revealed in his review of Apple iPod touch that “some early iPod touch units have had defective screens, where images appeared too dark”. The reviewer also said that Apple indicated that “this problem affected a small number of units and is being remedied”. The vast majority of players on the market have no problems with screens, however, there are some that come with defective screens, AppleInsider web-site confirmed recently.

This is the second major problem with screens of Apple’s digital media devices that emerged in the recent months. Some owners of the iPhone reported that displays of their innovative cell phones started to lose sensitivity after some time of usage.

It is impossible to fully get rid of manufacturing flaws and defects of very complex electronic devices that are so common nowadays. However, the fact that such issues became so wide-spread that even consumer electronics companies are affected means that the companies tend to deliver their products on the market as fast as possible. Sometimes rushing a product on the market means shrinking its quality testing time, but in all the cases it implies increase of revenue.

The new iPod touch – the device which introduction was anticipated for more than one year – features 3.5” touch-screen with 480x320 resolution, 8GB or 16GB of flash memory, 802.11b/g wireless network controller, Apple Safari web browser as well as YouTube application to access videos from the Internet. The new Apple iPod touch can playback music as well as videos in various formats.

The 8GB iPod touch model will cost $299 and the 16GB iPod model has suggested retail price of $399.