Well using a very complex and specific tool (read: a paint scraper), I was able to crack open the iPod touch today. The first thing I noticed was the abundance of water present inside the case. I was actually surprised by how much water was in there, as it has been several weeks since it had gotten wet and no water came out upon vigorous shaking.

Looking around inside the guts of the beast, one thing that surprised me was the flexibility of the battery. Apparently it uses a sort of Li-Ion polymer putty, which results in the battery being kind of squishy. It was overly disconcerting. Anyway, I found some pretty tell-tale signs of death throughout the iPod. The sickly, ammonia-esque smell, slightly corroded connectors, the piece I broke off while opening it… Though it was my boss Troy who noticed what was probably the actual cause of death: burn marks near the top of the iPod. This iPod had shorted out. Such a shame. Only three weeks old and it already is meeting the big Steve in the sky.

Well, the only step left is to lay this thing to rest. It might be a few days for the conclusion, as I want to plan something rather fire-y and explode-y. I’ll be sure to post pictures when the time comes.

Just got the pseudo-official word. The Water Damage Indicator on the iPod has been turned half-red, which means there was some water damage, which means no warranty exchange. I argued that since the WDI was only half-red, I should have a 50% chance of getting the warranty. However, any red is enough to deny it. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t expecting much from this option.

Oh well. This is actually more exciting, as it means I can now crack this sucker open with impunity!

Let’s get to work.

My current iPod.

Like many, many millions of others, I own an iPod. Mine is a 4GB iPod Mini, the small precursor to the current and popular iPod Nano. I got it August 2005, and it still works as well as the day I got it. It’s been really handy to have around. I use it as a portable hard drive to make it easy to tote around files I’m working on or need to access remotely and when internet is not available. I also use it as a portable iTunes Library to take with me to my various jobs (who would be less than thrilled by me placing a crap-ton of MP3’s on my work computer). I’ve got my money out of it for sure, which wasn’t hard as I got it for free. My hetero-lifemate was buying a new iBook and the iPod came with it. He didn’t really feel the need to own one, so he gave it to me (he’s a nice guy like that).

In the time I’ve owned my Mini, another friend of mine has gone through three different iPods and is now on an iPhone (We’ll call him Mr. Moneybags). I worked out a small trade for his three iPods in different states of disrepair. There’s a 20gb 4G iPod, a 30gb 5G iPod and an 8gb iPod Touch. Moneybags only had his iPod Touch for about a month before he accidentally dropped it into a puddle. Now it refuses to turn on. Since he is a Cingular AT&T customer, he decided to upgrade to an iPhone, which he is absolutely happy with. (As long as he keeps away from those dreaded rain puddles)

I’m going to try to get the iPod Touch back in some sort of working condition. I have a three-phased approach to this:

1) See if Apple will fix it. — It’s possible, I’ve heard of crazier things. Not the likeliest of scenarios, but a good step one.

2) See if I can somehow repair it myself. — If Apple won’t fix it, then the remaining 10 months of warranty are pretty much worthless anyway. I’ll crack that sucker open and tinker till my little heart is content.

3) Destroy it in the most spectacular fashion possible. — If it’s not going to work, it’s not going to work. It then becomes a very expensive paperweight. I’m thinking if it doesn’t melt in some sort of spectacular fireball, I’m not doing my job right.

Tomorrow I’ll be trekking to the local apple center to get their opinion on it. I’ll keep you posted on the details.

A naked iPod Touch.