My Ipod Shuffle was Stolen

Hey there; sorry to hear about your ipod. You really want to fill out a report with your local authorities- give them serial #, as for contacting apple you can call 1.800.275.2273 if you are in the US to report it, they will make note of the situation.

I don't think Apple replaces stolen iPods. That's asking too much. You should file a report with the authorities, although there is virtually no chance that they can recover it. After all it's not a stolen car BTW, why give it to your friend.? I keep my iPod shuffle under my shirt. It's a fashion item (maybe not the shuffle so much) and you should expect it to be a prey of muggers and scum.

Cherry,

Sorry that you (or anyone) has that experience. The fact is that in order for the Shuffle to be used it must be registered with iTunes. From what I understand the serial number is recorded by Apple. They have the information of who registered it. If they are willing to provide that information to you is another question. You will undoubtedly need to file a police report. If you're lucky a detective will be willing to contact Apple for that information and Apple will comply.

Although the theft is important to you in the scheme of things the police are more concerned chasing really nasty people. With that said pursue it because there are those who want to help--when they can.

fact is that in order for the Shuffle to be used it
must be registered with iTunes. From what I
understand the serial number is recorded by Apple.

The shuffle is linked to a particular copy of iTunes, but it may not be true that the iPod's actual serial number is transmitted all the way back to Apple. I don't believe that's true. Apple knows about your copy of iTunes (for Music Store purposes), and your copy of iTunes knows about your iPod, but I have read nothing to suggest that there is a final Napster-style hardware tracking link between your iPod all the way back to Apple. And I never remember sending any personal iPod shuffle registration info to Apple. I'm the type that avoids filling out those forms.

It is unlikely that anyone will be able to help track a stolen shuffle. Stories abound on many forums about people who have had $2500 PowerBooks stolen and have no quick way to track them over the Internet, and Apple does not assist you there. Now the shuffle is not even a big-ticket item like that. In the big picture, even the 1GB shuffle costs less than some people's shoes. But we think of iPods as valuable because they provide a personalized experience.

I am not being unsympathetic here. I lost a shuffle last year, due to my own carelessness. The thing is so small I took it out at a restaurant to show a friend, put it down next to me on the seat in a huge wraparound booth table, and forgot about it when we left. I probably knocked it to the floor without knowing it. I inquired with the restaurant the next day but nobody saw it. I assumed another customer found it and took it home (this is when they were new and cool). My main thought? I was glad I didn't buy a $400 iPod. I just went and bought another shuffle. And this week they just dropped the prices on them.

I hope Mindi is luckier than I was, and gets it back!