Is this meant to silent customer reports on this topic which has been viewed 14,819 times and collected 379 replies (here)?
It's difficult to imagine that Apple did not do it on purpose.
Of course such a decision will not improve relationships between Apple and its customers, and for sure will not calm down defective APX owners.
This manoeuvre is strategically irrelevant since this reliability issue has spread throughout the web and beyond. Indeed, the Sydney Herald Tribune recently published an article reporting the unfortunate adventure of an Australian citizen and his short-life APX, while pointing out the huge numbers of similar cases documented on the web via websites or personal webpages; while all those facts are denied by the Local Apple Representatives. Apple should learn to "Think Different".
From our last news related to this topic, we have noted a 20% increase in reports for defective APX submitted via our dedicated webpage.
Based on those data, the average lifespan of the reported defective APX manufactured by Foxconn in 2004 remains constant: around 16 months, as illustrated by the chart below.
The most impressive change concerns the defective APX manufactured in 2005; with a number of reports that more than doubled within 10 days. As shown on the chart below, it clearly demonstrate that the defective APX has an average lifespan around 16 months (first chart from recorded data on August 10th, second on August 23rd).
By the end of 2006, the number of reports of defective APX corresponding to mid-2005 production weeks should increase while the first cases of dead APX leaving Foxconn production lines in the second half 2005 should appear.
We expect Apple will quickly react to avoid altering its image as a "high quality standard company", especially in light of the recent reliability issues recorded for its products (see recent ArsTechnica article).
While Apple just launched a worldwide recall program for 1.8 millions notebook batteries for safety reason, it might have been better for customers, and for sure Apple would have reacted faster, if some defective APX had ignited fires instead of simply ceased working.
JCJ
