If I am going to make my summer goal of 30 posts by September 1 (I know that I'm already behind…wait until late August when I'm writing putting my shoes on …one post for each shoe), I will need to employ all types and topics of posts. So today I will be writing in the tried and true blog genre of the consumer rant.
In my sights today is the Apple Computer Company. “Ah, finally a return to the Apple hating Greg that we all know!” Well, yes and no.
This past March I purchased the new iPad (the iPad 3). With it I bought the “Smart Cover” that has been available for both models 2 and 3. In case anyone has not seen one of these covers, it attaches to the device with a magnetic hinge and the cover folds over the screen in segments. The cover is “smart” in that the device automatically powers on when it is folded back and the segments form a supporting triangle to prop up the screen for use. In my early use of the cover, I was very impressed that the magnets snapped into place automatically and held very securely.
However, about three months later I started to notice that occasionally as I held my iPad, the cover would snap off. At first I attributed it to an incidental hit, but over the past month it began to happen more often and during regular use. If I hold the iPad by the cover in portrait mode for reading, I will often be annoyed to have it suddenly dropped on my chest (the metal corner can make a reasonable dent and certainly break concentration). I had to conclude that my Smart Cover was losing its magnetism.
I looked online and quickly found several forums (including Apple Forums) that mentioned this. I also asked my wife about her cover which she has used for about 6 months. She confirmed that she also had noticed a fading attraction…with the iPad cover.
Armed with this information and my iPad, I visited the Apple Store. I approached one of the blue-shirtted minions, explained and demonstrated my problem. His first reaction was , “Hmmm I've never heard of that before, let me ask.” I waited while he consulted with his superior. In a few moments he came back and informed me that the store does not service or support the cover and that a cover can only be replaced in the first fourteen days. In other words, tough.
My rage over this situation is threefold. First, I'm irritated that this product is failing. Apple products are premium priced because they offer a certain level of user experience. If the iPad works perfectly, but the cover falls off, this hurts an otherwise excellent experience, an Achilles Heel to the flagship product.
Second, I HATE it when employees say, “I haven't heard of that happening before.” A cursory search on Google yields several discussions of this issue, and in my house the occurrence is 2 for 2. However, even if this blue shirt had not experienced this before, this type of accusatory statement is inappropriate. Frankly, I don't care whether you have heard of this before, if it is happening to me, it is happening.
Third, I am frustrated that the answer was to provide no resolution whatsoever. I'm left with the problem and no clear solution. I'm thinking about trying to “recharge” the magnets by rubbing them with a stronger magnet as I did in my 4th grade science class. I don't want to buy another cover, particularly since all the evidence indicates that I'll be having the same problem in three months. I could “baby” the cover, trying hard not to put strain on it, but again this takes away from the overall experience.
I know that I will complain on the Apple site, and I ask any of you who have experienced this to do the same until they provide a solution as elegant as the iPad itself.
I welcome your comments.
Image Credit: Taken from the Apple site without permission, but they owe me this much
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