Apple is working on ways to bring the price of video down, including advertising in the download in exchange for a lower price point. Image courtesy of Apple.
Apple has long avoided battery doors to streamline their designs, and some have long complained about the inability to replace the battery without voiding a warranty.
Anyone who thought that would change with the iPad… give your friend the $10 you bet him.
Apple has announced that a $99 service fee will be charged for those who need a replacement unit as a result of their batteries not charging.
So no, they won’t replace the battery either… they’ll just replace the unit for a fee.
Why does this matter? Most batteries survive 500-1000 charges before the battery life starts to diminish more noticably (thereby necessitating more frequent charges, which in turn kills the battery faster … a vicious circle if one was ever found). The iPad is said to have a 10 hour battery life for things like videos. In other words, with heavy use, you’ll have to charge it daily.
At that rate, 500-1000 charges means by the third year, you’ll likely notice diminishing returns on your battery, and a $99 fee.
Now, with many portable devices, including Apple’s, people tend to upgrade these things often, whether for space reasons, breakage or just plum wanting a fresh one.
Is three years a reasonable amount of time for a device to last, or is Apple just grabbing for more of your money?
SOURCE: Information Week via Consumerist
