Dead iPad battery? Never mind replacing it, Apple just sends another iPad for $99

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....ng-battery.jpg

Whoa, Nelly! Isn't this something? Apple has just posted details on its iPad battery replacement service, which is really not a battery replacement service at all. Check out the company's opening line:
"If your iPad requires service due to the battery's diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee."
Now, let's compare that to the verbiage found in the iPhone's battery replacement program details:
"If your iPhone requires service only because the battery's ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will service your iPhone for a service fee."
We can see the puzzled look on your face from here, and we're sharing in the same disbelief. Apple is actually saying that it won't bother cracking open your withered iPad, replacing the battery and sending it back your way; instead, you'll pay $105.95 (including shipping) for a completely different iPad, which certainly has its pros and cons. On one hand, you're getting a new (or potentially refurbished, actually) iPad in around "one week," but on the other, you'll be waving goodbye to every morsel of personal data on the device that you send in -- unless you backup beforehand, of course. Here's Apple's take on answering "will the data on my iPad be preserved?"
"No. You will receive a replacement iPad that will not contain any of your personal data. Before you submit your iPad for service, it is important to sync your iPad with iTunes to back up your contacts, calendars, email account settings, bookmarks, apps, etc. Apple is not responsible for the loss of information when servicing your iPad."

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/13/d...ust-sends-ano/

So you pay $100 to swap your Ipad for what is almost certainly another refurbished Ipad with $10 worth of battery in it, so that's an easy $90 profit and a lot of Ipad owners by definition have money to burn and will be stupid enough to do this, in a way it reminds me of game developers charging $10 to activate online features if you buy used game.

That's madness, I wouldn't be paying £66 for a new unit minus my data - unless I really wanted a new one that is. Really I'd just prefer to change the battery myself.

I imagine third party batteries are gonna be pretty popular...

The replacement one will be in a new casing so will look totally new. Although a bit crap losing your data over something simple like a battery replacement

Just thinking does anyone know what Apple's policy is if you return an Ipad for battery problems that also has slight damage on like a cracked screen or case but it is still useable, would they refuse replacement? charge you a fee for inspection and return delivery before they'll send original back? Knowing Apple they'll have this in the T&C's to squeeze more money from people.

I very much doubt they'd refuse it. Apple have always been pretty good with me, had a lot of things in my Macbook replaced free of charge out of warranty.