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A Classic?

We had to bring my wife's iPod into an Apple Store for service a while back and I found myself amused by the reaction the staff gave it.

This is the second generation white iPod with 10 gig of capacity and FireWire connection. She had an original iPod which died, and was replaced by this one. I'd assume that this unit was purchased in 2002 or so. She uses it occasionally and somehow it has survived for eight years.

It was locking up, so an appointment was made with a tech and we brought it in.

I would not say that traffic stopped at the Genius Bar when I brought this unit out, but it did slow. The young woman helping me, stopped her troubleshooting in minor awe, saying she'd never seen "one of the originals" in her time at Apple. She brought it over for each of the other clerks to look at and hold, they all expressed an appreciative "woooow or whoaaaaa". They each clicked the screen and held down buttons to see which firmware it ran, etc.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone lay classic status on a piece of electronics before. When I was in my 20s it was always motorcycles or cars that got that treatment. It felt a bit weird and made me feel slightly old, and superior, frankly. This stuff, to me, seems to be so replaceable, so disposable.

After fixing it by punching in some magic button command, they recommended that I buy a case for it, to keep it safe. I chuckled.

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