Go online to find out where your iPod is
By Corina Cheever
Technology Editor
By last January, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had calculated that Apple had sold more than 42 million iPods and the New York Times reported that “Apple music sales [through iTunes] account for 59 percent of the company’s total sales.”
iPod is no longer just a mp3 player, it is now comparable to the fashion industry. The music device is on its way to becoming a classic in the technology industry similar to how Polo and Tommy Hillfiger have become classics in the fashion world. Other companies make radical changes in appearance with every update and create new product lines, but Apple continues to only make minor adjustments to the iPod line that don’t change the image.
With iPods becoming part of everyday wear, the demand for the product increases, causing the price to rise as well. Both factors play crucial roles in the reasons why so many iPods are stolen.
In a post on Digg.com, member “kidkardona” wrote, “The worst thing about losing an iPod isn’t losing the stupid thing, it’s the collection you’ve built up in that little guy. I only had a 4 gig mini and about 850+ songs, and I swear my soul felt torn. All that time I spent building it up.
”Apple costumer J. Alain Ferry had an iPod stolen from his bag while he was traveling and was disappointed to find out that Apple would do nothing to help recover or replace it. So, in May, Ferry launched a Web site, stolenipods.com, in an attempt to unite “former iPod owners.” The Web site suggests that Apple can but won’t do anything to stop the use of stolen iPods.
“Apple maintains records of stolen iPod serial numbers,” the site reads. “Apple iTunes software records the serial number of the last connected iPod. Apple sells songs to the people that enter billing information into the iTunes software. So, why isn’t Apple doing anything to prevent the sale of songs to the person with your iPod?” The site also runs a blog where members can respond to the question: “Should Apple be doing something about this?”
,p>One blogger wrote, “Considering you have to register your iPod with Apple when you buy it and that they are not cheap, I think the least they can do is to have a registry where you can report your stolen iPod serial number so when the thief tries to use it, the rightful owner would be notified and could in turn notify the authorities. At this rate, no wonder (iPods) are a hot item to steal, they know they can get away with it!”In response to this issue, Apple employee Nate Glucksman said, “They (Apple) don’t monitor iPods because it would be a lot of hassle for them.”
If a stolen iPod is reported Apple will take the serial number of the stolen iPod and open a case, but according to Apple, there’s nothing that this will really do.