YOU CAN GET dozens of readers every day when mentioning the term iPod on your blog. I stoop lower and occasionally write about iPod porn. The latest tip in the realm of iPod porn is to attach a naked picture to your MP3 file when you upload your podcasts. You will get viewers (not necessarily listeners) that way. Anyway, the Chicago Tribune published Pain in the pod, another standard piece about how iPods die all too soon. The article also included this statement from Apple:
An Apple spokeswoman, Natalie Kerris, said iPods have a failure rate of less than 5 percent, which she said is "fairly low" compared with other consumer electronics. "The vast majority of our customers are extremely happy with their iPods," she said, adding that an iPod is designed to last four years.
But that's not the real story. According to iLounge, Apple's time-before-failure is misjudged by the Tribune:
Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris has confirmed to iLounge that she was misquoted in a Chicago Tribune article on failing iPods. [....] Kerris said she told the reporter that the iPod was designed to last "for years"--not "four years."
Sounds like linguistic coincidence used with effect to crawl out of a hole.
Larry Angell -- "Apple denies 'four years' iPod report, clarifies 'for years'"
Jack Schofield -- "Apple Denies iPod is Designed to Last Four Years"