Recent news and other reports are leaking out with regard to various models of the iPod range either overheating or exploding. The real crux of this story is that Apple have been offering refunds or replacements on the basis of 'complete confidentiality'. What is really difficult to understand is how Apple could possibly imagine that this sort of thing could be kept quiet. People talk and, with the Interwebnettubes, the word soon gets out.
Having experienced first hand an iPod that overheated to the point that it was unsafe to touch (making it necessary to place it where it could cool down or burst into flames without hazard to ourselves), I will make a couple of personal comments. Firstly, one area where Apple truly excel is in customer service; the iPod was replaced with a new one (with bigger HD) without question (hmmmm), this was in a matter of days once the unit had been 'tested'. Secondly, we bought an additional iPod over the Interwebnettubes and it arrived in a matter of days. Thirdly, I took over the old one. Not being a fan of any device that has a requirement to use a specific piece of software in order for it to work (iTunes and the iPod OS) I have installed RockBox.
Rockbox is a simple boot replacement that overlays the iPod system (as well as other MP3 players without replacing it. Want to go back to using it as a 'normal' iPod? Simply remove the software or plug the device into a computer or external player without it being powered up and it defaults to iPod. It has a few 'quirks' that you get used to like when you forget to power up the iPod before plugging it in BUT... it comes with a whole host of settings, controls, games, and applications that put the iPod to shame. The software is Open Source (they actually listen to feedback and incorporate improvements into future releases quickly) and donations are gladly accepted via PayPal.
You can read about RockBox here. Version 3.3 was recently released. It works with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Rather splendid.
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