So my latest surrender to pop culture has proven this old adage to me. Thinking I was going to be “on the road” much more now, I decided to buy an iPod. Almost immediately after opening it, I remembered why I didn't like Apple so much. First it was trying to decide if iTunes was really just bad software or something meant to punish us for having the nerve to be Windows users. Then it was the cable.
Ah yes, I mean the USB cable. You know, that thin, white, innocent looking looking one with a USB prong on one end and an Apple proprietary “DockPort“ on the other. Well, here's the lesson that I learned the hard way.
It's thin. It's white. And it's only way to work with the iPod Mini. Ever. You can't even charge the SOB without it. So if you're going to use Apple's latest geek fashion statement (the Shuffle doesn't count as a geek fashion statement since it doesn't have a screen...) treat that cable like was made out of most fragile stuff on earth. See, I'm in the habit of wrapping all of my cables up so I don't get a Snarlock (or wire ball, or snake pit, whatever you want to call the mess of cables you get if you're not tidy with them.)
Of course, this particular cable doesn't like to be wrapped too tight or it breaks internally and your left with but a single choice if you don't want to wait God-only-knows-how-long for warranty work. Go buy a new one. Jeesh.
Nice job Apple. I'd better never hear you criticize Microsoft again about “lock-in.“