View Full Version : How To Check If Your iPod is Real/Genuine


boyTi899
27th Mar '07 Tue, 21:18
Two of the most commonly counterfeited iPods appear to be the iPod nano and the iPod shuffle. The imitation players, which often sport nonstandard headphone jacks and lack a dock connector, are sometimes stamped with a valid Apple serial number, Apple told its service providers. The company said several of the fakes have been found to use the specific Apple iPod serial number "6U545TK2TJT."

In addition to lacking a dock connector, Apple said counterfeit iPod nanos also ship without a standard USB cable and pack a screen that is slightly longer than the nano's. The players run different operating system software and have also been known to include a Play/Pause symbol on the center select button (which the nano does not).

Meanwhile, forged iPod shuffles are said to include an on and off switch that lacks a repeat option. The players, which are otherwise strikingly similar to the the shuffle, also fail to include a battery or status indicator light. Counterfeiters have been packaging the players in fake iPod shuffle retail boxes that include the words "Digital Music Player" on the top.

Counterfeit Apple iPod Nanos and Shuffles

http://www.ipodgear.com/upload/2006/04/shufflec.jpg

Apple's iPod has become so popular that counterfeiters are making their own versions and passing them off as authentic. At first glance, the fake iPods appear very real. Apple is warning its resellers of the existence of these fake iPods and how to identify them.

http://www.ipodgear.com/upload/2006/04/shufflec_2.jpg


Note the On/Off switch on the fake iPod shuffle has no "repeat" setting. Also no battery light indicator.The fake iPod nano's screen is very different in shape.

http://http://www.ipodgear.com/upload/2006/04/nanoc.jpg

Other differences: non-standard headphone jack, no dock connector.

http://www.ipodgear.com/upload/2006/04/nano_2.jpeg

Some of the players also ship with documentation that prompts the user to copy their music to a folder on the device instead of using iTunes, another telltale sign the iPod is not genuine.
this guide will tell you how to tell fakes from real Ipods, help you avoid having to have your searches flooded with fakes and help you decide whether you want an Ipod or a Fake.


THE CLICK WHEEL
The most obvious difference between an Ipod and a fake is the click wheel below the screen. On real Ipods the click wheel has four symbols on it. These symbols are at the top, bottom, left and right with nothing in the middle. The symbols are; MENU at the top, Rewind on the left, Fast Forward on the right and Play/Pause at the bottom.
Fakes have the same basic design though the button layout is very different. Fakes have an M at the top, Rewind on the left, Fast Forward on the right, VOL at the bottom and Play/Pause in the middle.

FAKE EXAMPLES:
http://i4.ebayimg.com/03/s/07/54/17/dd_2.JPGhttp://i23.ebayimg.com/05/s/07/54/43/6c_2.JPGhttp://i2.ebayimg.com/04/s/07/5b/69/85_2.JPG

THE SCREEN
Some fakes have a different screen like the white one shown above; others however have done a good job and got the screen right. The differences are that Ipods have a rectangular screen that looks as if the rectangle is on its side fakes also have a rectangular screen though the screen may look as if it's on its end and/or have writing beneath it (see above).

THE BACK
Although sellers rarely take pictures of the back it contains important information that only a real Ipod would have. This includes the Apple logo and company name, storage capacity and information regarding trademarks.
On fake Ipods the back is normally just white or black depending on its colour.
Unfortunatly Apple's website doesn't have a picture of the back, they do however have an interactive photo gallery which lets you view the Ipod from any angle. I would give you the link though eBay doesn't allow non eBay links. Here are some basic instructions. Go to apple.com.au, click on store up the top of the screen, click on Ipod Nano and scroll down to the bottom where there should be a link. Note: Requires QuickTime.

CAPABILITIES
Fake Ipod Nanos have the same capabilities as the real thing and then some. If you see an auction for an Ipod with the following capabilities then it is fake; MP4 Video, FM Radio, Voice Recorder and FM Recorder.
Ipods have a 1.5-inch display capable of viewing pictures. They obviously play music in several different formats and have extras such as games.

;)

em0ter0
27th Mar '07 Tue, 23:30
buti na lang hindi fake sa akin, pero wala ng silbi kung fake man or ano pa yun, sira na ipod ko eh!

whodoes16
27th Mar '07 Tue, 23:49
buti na lang hindi fake sa akin, pero wala ng silbi kung fake man or ano pa yun, sira na ipod ko eh!

hahaha!!., okEi lnG yan., unG u2 pod ko nga eh.,bUmaGsak., pero okei p nmn., hehee :)

em0ter0
27th Mar '07 Tue, 23:54
hahaha!!., okEi lnG yan., unG u2 pod ko nga eh.,bUmaGsak., pero okei p nmn., hehee :)

sa akin nga, nahila lang ng kapatid ko sa USB port, patay na! grr!

whodoes16
27th Mar '07 Tue, 23:56
sa akin nga, nahila lang ng kapatid ko sa USB port, patay na! grr!



sAdyAng maLas lnG tLga., hehehe :)

boyTi899
28th Mar '07 Wed, 20:25
aba't nagpasikatan kayo kung gaano katibay mga ipod nyo..

basta ako wala akong ipod. trip ko lang ipost yan.