Apple Addressing iPod Touch Screen Issue

Well the moment everyone has been waiting for (on this board at least), Apple through their prophet, Walt Mossberg of the WSJ have acknowledged the screen issues.

A quote from Walt's article to appear in tomorrow's WSJ,

"Also, some early iPod Touch units have had defective screens, where images appeared too dark. Apple says this problem affected a small number of units and is being remedied. My two test units displayed beautiful images."

Here is a link to Walt Mossberg's entire article/review of the iPod Touch.

http://ptech.allthingsd.com/

If you don't know the background on Walt Mossberg he is one of the big tech columnists who writes for the Wall Street Journal, he has a direct line dialog with Steve Jobs.

I have been wanting a Touch since they were announced. I am one of those who didn't want a contract with AT&T but the essence of an iPhone.

I have been lurking on these boards reading comments way to much. I don't know whether it was a software or hardware issue that has been plaguing the screen (I tend to think it is a software Gamma issue as stated, but have no special knowledge) but I'm just glad it will be fixed.

Now I'll try to find one at Costco and either get one if they arrive tomorrow that is fixed or return it when the screen issue is resolved.

I have no idea what happens from here for all your iPod Touch owners currently, please just wait till they announce and stop returning units, you're making it too hard for the rest of us suckers to buy them!

Update: I just emailed Walt to ask him if he knew anymore on the screen issue, unbelievably he responded. Here is his response,

"I don't know exactly what the problem is or how they will solve it. But they insist it only affected a small number of early units."

Of course, we don't believe this to be true as it appears people getting them as late as today have the issue. I'm just relaying the information to all.

yes yes yes! This is awesome news!:)

It's about time.

"Screengate 2007" coming to a close so soon?

Apple says this problem affected a small number of units

..........right, maybe compared to all of the touch units they every plan on selling, but from posters on this board it seemed greater than, say, 80% (although those with defective ipods are probably more likely to post).

Hopefully the rumor that Costco (or at least one Costco) will have them tomorrow is true, but considering no stores other than Best Buy and Apple have gotten them in, I'm not very optomistic.

On the other hand, I had a weekly meeting, and during it thought that this time next week, I'd probably have one in my pocket.:) (not really one for smiley faces, but keeping in the spirit on the top of this thread!)

Added: The article seemed to suggest that it was a hardware, not gamma shift, issue as there were a number of defective units. The software should all be the same, and one would have expected that if that was the issue, Apple would have fixed it already (they must have known about this issue since the first rumors of it came out.

So hardware confirmed? :)

I spoke with someone at Costco, they said it lists the 20th as they date they will get them on their computer system (this must be a nationwide date for them). She said this doesn't mean they will necessarily be in the stores on the 20th. They said you can call the individual store and give them the item #237352 [Costco designated item # for the iPod Touch (16GB I think/hope)] they can check its status and if it's in yet. She said if it is showing "In Transit" when they look up on their computers than this means it is "arriving that day".

My fingers are crossed it is "In Transit" tomorrow as well so I can get my hands on one!

So, I wonder what the percentage is that are defective. I REALLy wanna go get one tomorrow.

I spoke with someone at Costco, they said it lists the 20th as they date they will get them on their computer system (this must be a nationwide date for them). She said this doesn't mean they will necessarily be in the stores on the 20th. They said you can call the individual store and give them the item #237352 [Costco designated item # for the iPod Touch (16GB I think/hope)] they can check its status and if it's in yet. She said if it is showing "In Transit" when they look up on their computers than this means it is "arriving that day".

My fingers are crossed it is "In Transit" tomorrow as well so I can get my hands on one!

Wonderful! Specifics are far better than random rumors.

I tried searching for 237352 on Costco's website under search by item number with no success. I'll try again tomorrow, although I hope I'm not getting my hopes up too high. Plus, because Costco sells them slightly cheaper, they don't list their prices, and you can't order them online (or at least have them shipped), so even if the touch doesn't show up (they still have the last generation listed under ipods) it could mean nothing. Arggg, just more ambiguities.

(even for those not buying at Costco, its a good sign that the touch will be availible before the 28th. The typhoon in Singapore, however, is not the best sign for early releases, although I feel somewhat selfish for considering that when people could by dying/loosing their homes)

So, I wonder what the percentage is that are defective. I REALLy wanna go get one tomorrow.

I would guess that if it is a hardware problem they are all from one factory and it probably is less than 50% just the people who have the problems are the ones who will post.