This looks like an ad in the making. I can see it now--washing machine tragedy, loving mom (and/or dad) consoling their child, fast-forward, the iPod works, an Apple a day keeps bad news away.

Are you kidding? There's a whole new line of household products just waiting for Apple here - the care of personal electronics. The iWash. The iDry. The iBlend...hmmm, let's re-think about this a bit...

The very LEAST Apple should do is have someone reply here thanking you for the unprompted endorsement of one of their products, on one of the most popular business blogs on the internet.

Let's see if that happens...

Thanks for the comments, Mack, Lewis and Steve.

Lewis: "An Apple a day..." love it. Bet they've already thought of that one, though.

Steve: I would pay money for the iFold.

"Takes a licking and keeps on..." No, wait, Timex used that decades ago.-)

Most certainly deal with caution. And on the other hand, taken things as simply as they are. That's why people love the iThings, don't they?

My ad would be:

Sad girl looking at a dirty iPod in the mud and then the slogan:

Just wash it. :-)

That was not serious, but I just loved your post, Ann. As allways. :-)

You'll never get soaked with an iPod.

iPod: Tough enough to tackle Maytag.

Apple's iPod will never be washed up.

Ugh! Advertising slogans on the fly. Must be a better way.

Good stuff, but I think it would probably be a bit risky to use in their marketing materials. There would definitely have to be quite a bit of proof of durability before they could "advertise". However, something user-generated could be effective. Maybe, "iDrops - a chronicle of iPod mishaps." They would have to be prepared to accept the good with the bad though.

Nic -- Good thought. I guess that's more where I was going with my original question -- is there any way to leverage or harness the issue? Could they help get people talking with each other?

"Mishaps" is a nice, unifying theme. A few weeks ago, it would have been helpful for me, for example, to have known of a place to read and seek advice from other iPod owners whose iPods have suffered similar fates.

Ann-
Maybe they could start a blog. Lots of different mishap scenarios that users overcame. But as Nic mentioned, they'd have to be prepared to take the good with the bad.

Lewis,

How about Apple takes a bite out of Maytag!

I searched around to see if there were any iPod blogs, and couldn't find anything "official" on the Web. There are a few amateur/independent/lonely little blogs out there, but no sign of real community as they seemed completely void of reader commentary.

Is that called a monoblog, by the way?

I would think they should leave it alone. Unless you can wash it, and 10 minutes later plug it in and go for a jog, I'm not sure if it's a strong enough selling point. It feels like a story better told by a person like yourself rather than something coming from the Apple company.

Of course, a nice "thank you" probably wouldn't hurt, either. :)

Hmmm... I dont think Apple shud use it... Infact Apple shud run a blog, like http://kingfisherblog.wordpress.com/ where Customers like u post their good experiences! :)

One of the comments seem rather unkind because i know that the incident described is true. The same thing happened to my 17 year old when he could not resist the cool invitation of the beautiful lake we were having picnic by and jumped in with his ipod in the pocket.
At first it didn't work but after about 2 weeks it started working again.
Sure Apple should use this for launching new models, e.g i.swim, i.pool with new features of listening to music while swimming. And of course some accessories like a swimming costume with a i.swim pouch sewn in can be launched!

Ann,

Your washing machine story would make a great spot for the iPod shuffle. You should get some free products from this post!

Unfortunately, in my experience, other iPod models don't survive a few drops of water, let alone a wash cycle. Your post even inspired me to write about my misfortunes:

http://delugedineuge.blogspot.com/2007/06/communication-breakdown.html

Thanks for sharing your story this little blogger with some inspiration!

I also washed my iPod shuffle recently, at a commercial washing machine. Our washing machine broke down, so in my rush and doing different things, I forgot to take off my iPod from my pant's belt loop. I later realized it when I took it out. I let the shuffle dry out for a day and used it the next. Clean and working!

I don't know what they can do with this unless they're willing to guarantee functionality after such abuse. Perhaps have a visual gallery for "Pimp my Pod" and show the pictures of the personalizations of the iPODs - leave the rest to the bloggers. I'm impressed the bedazzlers held up as well - perhaps this is an opp for them? Let the iPODer do the blogging.

Hi Ann:

I tossed my iPod in the washer 6 months ago, let it rest and dry out for several weeks, but it remains in a deep coma.

But I know what you're getting at from a marketing POV, and you are on to something.

One idea - create a virtual world where, sometimes, bad things happen to nice iPods. But where you'll find friendly creatures who dispense medical and psychiatric advice for those in need ...

Steve

First they should determine if purchases/sales are missed due to the cost versus the risk of the iPod breaking. If it's a valid objection, then they should find ways to incorporate the durability message as a benefit. Otherwise, it’s a fun idea but probably a waste of resources.

Exactly! I wouldn't expect any sort of guarantee...but a resource area would have been nice to refer to. Something, as Steve suggests, "...when bad things happen to good iPods."

Lindsey and Steve: I'm surprised, actually, that your iPods didn't resusitate. Did you wait a period before turning it on?

Sounds like iPODs are heading in the aquatic direction where youll be able to listen to em anywhere, like underwater, or while your swimming your laps. just a thought

Ann,
My boyfriend was inspired to do laundry last night and accidentally left his Jabra in his jeans. I immediately thought of this post and told him to leave it alone - when we checked on it later, it worked beautifully.

As for marketing for reliability, I think they still have a lot of life out of the "cool" thread they are currently at with the shuffle. There's no need to expand into reliability yet, especially on a product that is inexpensive enough to be replaced easily.

Although, if they ever created a "tough" shuffle, then I can definitely see stories like this being used.

If I were Apple, I'd definitley include this in Customer Testimonials, which I would revolve on the home page of my website.

Ann - Just like you I Googled for help. The prognoses I received were bleak. And that's how it has turned out.

Maybe an ad with a scuba diver about enter the water but still wearing an iPod. You say, "Nooooo, don't do it."

He then, against your advice to the TV, enters the water without missing a beat.

Somehow it would have to be made clear this was a bit of an exaggeration to those tempted to "try this at home." :-)

Neil

What a great story, Ann. It not only comforts me that my daughters aren't the only ones to leave their iPods in irresponsible places and situations, but if (and when) they leave it in the washing machine - there is hope! Now I'm prepared!

i came of a sponcered walk with school and i was very dirty so i got home and my mum put my jeans in the washing machine, i was stupied enough to forget that my ipod was in my jeans and so i told my mum and we got it out and i dont kno what to do with it now it messed up water in the screen and everything please can you help me x-xmiss.jessica.mariex-x@hotmail.com if you can can you email me with what to do as soon as possible thankyou xxx im 14..

Ann, i will test your story, i just washed my son's i pod,he is going to be devastated!! i have it sitting in the sun now. i will let all know ;)

Yo, I put shuffle through the wash waited patientlyfor it to dry and it still doesnt work. Soooo, this is a pointless article. thanks for nothing.

My iPod was recently washed as well, and it works..for a short window of time. I think Shuffles should have a plastic insulator to prevent water damage, or something of the like. I remember the commercials for the Shuffle when it first came out, where it omits the person's head, and shows them clipping the iPod on all manners of clothing. "Put some music on" was the slogan, I believe. Maybe Apple made the shuffles a little too stylish and convenient..

Omg i came back one evening and i was getting ready to go to bed. i accidently left my ipod nano in ma jeans pocket it was only till later that daii i realised my ipod was missing. i looked everywere nd on my mums drying pile was my jeans witht he ipod still inside the pocket. i was soo devistated this point i realised it had been through the washer and the dryer. it still wouldnt boot up or anything soo ive tried leaving it ova night on the radiator. i tried switching it on nothin was happeneing and there still nothin happening. This all happenend yesterday soo i dont no wether i need to leave it alone un- disturbed for a few days or what.. i really dont no what should i do?

Yes, I just learned last night after my son's iPod went through a complete wash cycle. The online instructions I read said - 1) Do not turn it on (I already had tried but nothing happened, 2) Give it time to dry out. Several others had commented that they lived in the sunny southwest and simply left their iPod in their car to let it cook/dry out by the front windshield or hung it from the rearview mirror. Living in northern Virginia in December this really wasn't an option, so I improvised and rested it on the top of a lampshade over a 40W bulb (it was actually a 40/60/100 watt bulb, but I kept it at the lowest setting). I suppose a 60 watt bulb would be OK if you checked it occassionally to make sure it wasn't "cooking" it too bad. I left it for about 4-6 hours. The next day I plugged it back into the USB and within a short period of anxious moments the play list appeared on the computer screen and it appeared to be taking a charge. I kept it plugged in all day and this evening unplugged it and IT WORKED! By the way, the earphones also went through the wash and I treated them the same way hanging just beside the iPod over the 40 watt bulb.
Good luck, SHubbard in Fairfax Virginia

ok yesterday my mom washed my sweatwer without me knowing and it had my shuffle and the charger in it too so i dont know if it is my charger or my shuffle that wont work what should i do

It's interesting that this post has evolved into the "Dear iPod Lady, what should I do now?" column!

My son and daughter-in-law laundered two of their iPods in June 2007. I googled the topic then, planning to blog about it (http://tinyurl.com/28npdo.

At that time, I could find only one incident involving an iPod in water (a toilet, actually).

I believe if iPod screens were also impact proof AND the devices water proof, then there'd be something to advertise.

Sadly, as my youngest son discovered after his girlfriend dumped him and he threw his sweatshirt (with brand new iPod in it) onto the ground, it was kind of wrecked.

Nice blog, my first visit here.

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