I devised four tests, each of which involved dropping the iPod onto a hard surface. To replicate real-world situations, I determined to drop the iPod onto a slab of cement from waist-high, drop the iPod while jogging on a paved road, drop the iPod from a bicycle traveling approximately 25 mph, and drop that iPod from that same bicycle at 30 mph. The iPod was playing during all these tests.

Because I didn't have four iPods to sacrifice, I performed the tests on a single iPodwhich, of course, calls the results into question due to the factor of accumulated damage. For this reason, I didn't send the results to the Pulitzer committee.

The results were:

• Dropped from waist-high, with bottom plate facing down. The iPod continued to play. But the front plastic was dinged, and the back was scratched.

• Dropped while jogging, with the iPod held with ports facing skyward. The iPod continued to play. The side of the back case was dented and pulled slightly away from the front. The back plate did not fit snugly after being pushed back into place.

• Dropped from a bicycle at25mph, with the bottom plate facing down. The iPod continued to play. The back plate was severely scratched and dented. The back plate pulled even farther away from the front. The back plate did not fit snugly after being pushed back into place.

• Dropped from a bicycle at30mph, with the ports facing skyward . The iPod stopped playingand flew apart in spectacular fashion. The back plate fell off, as did the front scroll wheel and Select button. When it was reassembled, the iPod displayed the Sad iPod icon and could not be revived.

Depending on whether yours is a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full personality, you can view these results in two ways: You can be disappointed that the iPod eventually died, or you can be impressed that it suffered four separate instances of violent abuse before it finally met its maker.

Personally, I was pleased that the iPod took such a licking and kept on ticking. That doesn't mean, however, that I'd transport my iPod without a padded case equipped with a belt clip.

Copyright: N/A



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