UK Parliament Jumps On The iPod Battery Outrage Bandwagon

by , 10:00 AM EST, January 23rd, 2004

Just when you thought the hubbub about the iPod's battery had died down, some UK Members of Parliament (MP) are stirring the pot again. According to an article posted at ZDNet UK, a group of MPs have published an Early Day Motion (EDM) accusing Apple of "not making sufficient quantities of replacement batteries easily available to British iPod users at a fair price." Apple has replied to the EDM by stating that UK iPod users can in fact get replacement batteries for £79 (approximately US$145 as of this writing) plus VAT, as opposed to the £100 (US$184) listed in the EDM. From ZDNet UK:

A group of UK MPs has hit out at Apple over its policy for supplying replacement rechargeable batteries for its hugely popular iPod digital music player.

In an Early Day Motion (EDM) published on Monday, the consumer electronics giant is accused of not making sufficient quantities of replacement batteries easily available to British iPod users at a fair price. Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle proposed the EDM -- which is a device used by parliamentarians to draw attention to an issue. It has already been signed by a further 10 MPs.

[...]

Apple, though, has hit out at the EDM, insisting that its customers are being given adequate protection and pointing out that a new iPod battery will cost British consumers less than £100. "For £79 including VAT (plus postage and shipping), iPod owners can enroll in the iPod Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Programme anytime after the one year warranty has expired," said Apple in a statement.

You can read the full article at ZDNet UK's Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Seriously, though, Apple has had more attention on this issue than we imagine the company likes. That is, of course, a Very Good Thing™. It is our opinion that Apple has rectified what was a serious problem by putting a replacement program in place, but it sure would have been nice if it had been in place from the beginning.

In any event, it will be interesting to see if the MPs involved in this story keep any interest in this issue beyond the headlines.

ZDNet UK