Not many things with a “Copyright 2003 Apple Computer, Inc.” are still around, much less functional.

Except my trusty iPod Gen 3, 40 GB. It’s jam packed and the << button ceased to work a while ago, but it just keeps spinning. A while back I ordered a Do-it Yerself battery replacement kit. Like a surgeon hovering over a patient, I pried it gently open, tweezed out the postage stamp sized battery, replaced it and closed it all back up.

Wah lah. Full battery that would actually stay charged for longer than 10 minutes. I’ve never felt so proud. Another stand against the Planned Obsolescence hard-wired within these devices.

Then a month later while riding home, I had a little bike accident and fell on top of ol’ trusty. While is still played, the LCD screen was cracked, completely eliminating it.

Now it became a decision, buy an new screen for nearly 50$ or say farewell to my little friend. A new 80GB is only 250$, about half what I paid for mine 5 years ago. Plus it has a BIG color screen! And it’s got a sleek new look! It’s lighter! You can watch VIDEO! It comes in sexy black or stylish silver. It ships within 24 hours!

Waaaait a minute. I feel like I am slipping into a trap.

I talked to Rich about my dilemma, to which he replied, “I am surprised it still works, I’ve been through 3 of them since my Gen 3.”

Yep. Planned obsolescence. Who knows what went wrong with Rich’s, just stopped working. Everything on it is still good — looks brand new, battery still good, dock in perfect condition, screen not broken.

Hold the iPhone. Screen?

I asked Rich if he still had it – yes. Would he be willing to part it out? Hell yes.

Going into uncharted territory, I did a double open surgery and swapped out the screens.

Power. Lights. Action.

It’s a small black and white screen, but it still works.

F*ck you Apple.
- Monte Mead, M.D.