YouTube NextUp Update

It would mean so so much to me if you vote for my video. YouTube really is my passion & I would love to win a place at their Creator's Camp which is fours days of superb training. Thank you to everyone for your support.

Please vote for me - Voting begins 1st July 2011 on http://www.youtube.com/nextup
It would make my day, my week, my year and my future complete if I could do this forever.

1. To vote simply go here: http://www.youtube.com/nextup 

2. Scroll to find my video.

3. My video is called: MAKE EVERY DAY A YOUTUBE DAY (by davomrmac)

4. Click my video.

5. Wait for the Vote Now to pop up.

6. Click the GREEN THUMBS UP button.

If anyone watching this could tweet this out, it would really help...
Please vote for Dave at http://www.youtube.com/nextup  the video is called MAKE EVERY DAY A YOUTUBE DAY by davomrmac (please RT)

Sena Cases announce new iPad 2 Goodies

California-based luxury leather accessory designer Sena Cases has announced new high-end leather cases for the Apple iPad 2. As a perfect companion to the success of the amazing first generation iPad and Sena’s seven original iPad cases, the new iPad 2 designs match the sleek profile of the device while hugging the iPad 2 with classic protection and functionality.
Sena Cases CEO, Ramsey Oten, Ph.D., stated, “We custom designed our new iPad 2 cases specifically to fit the ultra-slim style and profile of the iPad 2. We developed our new designs to maximize functionality with slimmer styling. Our design engineers focused on versatility with comfortable angles, and integrated multi-position stand options to enhance viewing, typing, and overall comfort coupled with fashionable style.”
The exquisite craftsmanship and quality is showcased in the collection of Sena’s seven signature case designs for the iPad 2, and new unique options including integrated stand features and UltraSlim which accommodates the Apple Smart Cover Case highlighted below.<P>

SENA ULTRASLIM CASE FOR THE APPLE IPAD 2 W/SMART COVER The UltraSlim (Smart Cover) is the thinnest leather case ever designed for the iPad 2. It is perfect for those who prefer zero bulk. The case features a soft velvet lining with stitching along the opening and fits perfectly with Apple’s Smart Cover. The UltraSlim slips over the Smart Cover and provides protection to the entire iPad 2 including the back of the iPad 2, but it has zero excess material offering a seamless and protective ultra-thin look and feel. Retail Price: $59.99<P>

SENA FOLIO CASE FOR THE APPLE IPAD 2 The new and improved leather portfolio book design offers a side-folding design with three integrated positions including portrait and landscape standing positions as well as a typing position. The improved Folio case is the perfect accessory to add sophistication with premium leather providing a soft layer to gently protect the iPad 2. The integrated 3-position stand is great for watching videos or viewing photos in portrait or landscape as well using the iPad in a typing position while in case. The Folio features a soft velvet protection on the inside, as well as multiple pockets for credit cards. It is secured with a strap and snap closure for total protection when not in use. Retail Price: $99.99, but available on pre-order for $89.99<P>

SENA FLORENCE FOR THE APPLE IPAD 2 The Florence is a great companion for the iPad 2 for those who enjoy creative versatility and elegance. The Florence is simple, thin and features an integrated 2-position folding cover that provides seamless function and comfortable angles while you watch movies, play games, type out a novel or even create artwork. This foldable genuine leather skin design is comprised of premium leather that gently protects the iPad 2. The secure cover with simple corner tucking closure provides a snug fit to hug your iPad 2 with a slim profile and zero bulk. Retail Price: $79.99, but available on pre-order for $69.99

Apple iPad 2 & Comet Saga Update

In this article I would like to bring you an update about the issues I have had getting a resolution to my faulty Apple iPad 2. I won't go over old ground, other than to say if you want to know what the issue's were you can read my first article here. There will also be a follow-up article to this one, as I am awaiting Comet's official response to what happened, so keep checking back for an update.

I would also like to begin by saying a big thank you to all my followers and for your encouraging words and tweets. If I missed any of you personally, thank you!

Pretty early on in my problems with the iPad 2, Apple were always helpful. They did offer to help direct, albeit at some inconvenience and expense to myself. It was for this reason I wanted to exercise my consumer rights and take my problem back to the point of purchase. If the only good thing that comes from sharing my experience is that it shows others they do not need to take the crap that some retailers hand out, then it has all been worth it.

So, a busy day today, with calls to Apple, emails to Mac User Magazine and phone calls to and from Comet. This all resulted in two main things. Firstly, Comet were 'finally' very responsive, with calls to update me, plus the involvement of their Director's team. This eventually resulted in the store contacting me and offering a refund. It is a shame this response was not forthcoming from store level in the first place, as a lot of headache could have been avoided. The second awesome news was that an Apple sales rep turned up at the Comet store whilst I was on the phone to the manager. I clearly heard him say that he was there to sort out an iPad 2 issue… how cool is that.

What all of this goes to prove is that the general public have the right to exercise their consumer rights. Under the Sales of Goods Act 1979, if a product they have purchased is not as described or fit for purpose they have the right to reject it within a reasonable time. A reasonable timeframe is up to 3-4 weeks. If a replacement is not available, then they have a right to a refund. It is not up to the purchaser to prove the fault either. This is what I insisted on, it is just a shame I had to shout so loud on Twitter, my website and via emails and phone calls to get the appropriate action.

One last positive thing that happened is that Mac User Magazine might feature my plight in a forthcoming article. I hope that they do, so that others can learn from my experience.

My iPad 2 is now a car exhaust
So, I got my iPad 2 refund and my intention was to wait a couple of weeks and then reorder a replacement, happy days… However, there is a sad note to end this article on (or a blessing, depending on which way you look at it). This morning I got a call from Toyota. The family car broke down late on Saturday, after all this iPad 2 business had kicked off. The call from Toyota was to inform me of a £1,400 repair bill. So now my iPad 2 has transformed into some brake discs and an exhaust system :(  Oh well, I guess the iPad 2 will have to wait!

My letter to Comet about my iPad 2

All my regular readers know how transparent I am when it comes to sharing information. So after I decided it should be down to Comet to sort out my iPad 2 problem, I returned to the store today. For a second time, I was refused a refund, unless I submitted my iPad to be sent away for inspection (something I am not prepared to do). I pretty much knew they would not back down today, so I went prepared with the letter below (click to zoom in).

If you feel like others should know about this, or might be able to offer up constructive comments to help me get this resolved, please feel free to share it.

Do Comet offer the same service as Apple?

By now all of my regular readers know that I did not queue up at an Apple Store for the iPad 2 launch. Instead I went to a nearby Comet Store where I had heard that there was a short queue and some stock. Even during the short time it took me to drive there, I was in two minds whether to give my business (and cash) to them or to wait for Apple to deliver an online order. My desire for the new device got the better of me and I splashed down £559 of cash.

Over the next few days I went through my normal testing routine, only to find some light bleeding around the edges of the screen (see image - click for zoom). This was very distracting, but I thought that the device was so fantastic, so fast, so smooth that I could live with it.

I guess I made that decision too soon, as on Friday and thru Saturday I experienced the following;

• Screen flashing on exiting apps
• Safari & Mail crashing every ten or so minutes
• Third party apps crashing
• No sound through HDMI

All this on top of the light bleeding sent me over the edge. Not one to run straight to the phone, I tried a complete restore both from backup and a completely fresh start (twice). This restored the sound over HDMI for around an hour, but then even that fault came back. So the phone was in my hand to Apple Tech Support.

I still love Apple, they confirmed it was indeed faulty, but for a straight swap over it meant a three hour drive. To clarify this, Apple were just trying to help, if I did take that drive, they would give me a free case to cover my petrol costs which was really decent of them. The other option was to purchase AppleCare for £61, this would mean they could offer an advanced replacement via courier. However, it would also mean them placing a £559 hold on my credit card which I was not prepared to do. On this news I came to the conlusion that it was surely the retailers problem, so I would try them first and when I got my refund would simply order another iPad online in a few weeks time. So, off I went back to Comet with a list of the issues and a case number from Apple confirming the item as faulty.

Do Comet offer the same service as Apple?
Well, that is easy to answer with a big fat NO! They told me that Apple's policy is to insist that all faulty iPads are not refunded. That they should be sent in for inspection by an engineer. When I said that this had already been done, they refused to help. When I showed them the photo (on my iPhone 4) of the faulty screen, they said that this did not prove it was faulty and that it would need to be sent away.

Manager Time !
The manager was called over and basically said exactly the same, that they were governed by Apple's policy. "It is more than my jobs worth to do it Sir," I was told. Then the sales assistant suggested ringing Apple, which she duly did and Tech Support Nathan supposedly confirmed it would need to be sent in to be inspected. I said a few harsh words and left the store, iPad in hand.

On returning home I rang Apple again. The support notes stated that Nathan had only confirmed to Comet that the case number was valid and the faults did exist. At no stage did he say to Comet that the unit needed to be inspected. So Comet had blatantly lied to me about this. The Senior Tech Support person I was speaking to kindly phoned Comet and then rang me back. They had changed their story yet again, this time admitting it was their head office policy not to refund, but to inspect the item which would take 5-7 working days.

This is most unacceptable. We all know that under the Sales of Good Act 1979, goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, which this iPad 2 clearly is not. It also states that the buyer should 'reject it, give it back and get their money back' - so long as this is done in a reasonable time (with a 3-4 week guideline.
Well, I count seven days, so as a matter of principle I will be pursuing a full refund. If Comet won't offer this, then I will take it to Trading Standards.
In addition, MacUser Magazine has expressed an interest in the outcome to this case, so I will be keeping them updated. I have also tried to get in touch with someone at Comet via @cometdeals on Twitter, also copying @forstal and @appleinc in on the tweets.

If you would like to voice your opinion, then please do so. You can leave comments under this article, on my Twitter @geekanoids or via email. If you have concerns with any purchases or you would like to follow Comet on twitter, then please follow @cometdeals - I was also interested to see that they have their own YouTube Channel, so I will also be trying to contact them via YouTube too.

I would like to close this article with an invitation to Comet to respond to my comments above and asking, why as a retail company you have taken this stance and made a decision that breaks consumer law? 

iPad 2 Arrives in UK & 25 other countries this Friday

CUPERTINO, California — 22 March 2011 — Apple today announced that iPad 2, the second-generation of its third post-PC device, will go on sale in 25 additional countries this Friday, 25 March. iPad 2 will be available at Apple retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers at 5 p.m. local time, and online through the Apple Store (www.apple.com/uk/) beginning at 1 a.m. GMT. Apple today also announced that all models of iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April.

“While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2”, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone”.

iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 per cent thinner and up to 15 per cent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect.

Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on 25 March for a suggested retail price of £399.00 inc VAT (£332.50 ex VAT) for the 16GB model, £479.00 inc VAT (£399.17 ex VAT) for the 32GB model, £559.00 inc VAT (£465.83 ex VAT) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of £499.00 inc VAT (£415.83 ex VAT) for the 16GB model, £579.00 inc VAT (£482.50 ex VAT) for the 32GB model and £659.00 inc VAT (£549.17 ex VAT) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps are available for £2.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. The Smart Cover is available in a range of colours in vibrant polyurethane for £35.00 inc VAT or rich leather for £59.00 inc VAT.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.