NewsApple: We’ll Never Fix Time Machine Over AirPort Disk
Apple today confirmed to me, that despite past indications, they will never fix Time Machine over AirPort Disk, when using an AirPort Extreme.
This is a stark contrast to Steve Jobs’ own comments when Mac OS X Leopard was unveiled. “AirPort Extreme is the perfect backup solution for Leopard.” His words. Now that Time Capsule is out, Apple appears to refuse to fix the original AirPort Extreme, which with its USB port, could backup to Time Machine. However, bugs with the setup continue, and Apple refuses to detail any technical reason why they could not be fixed.
Today, Apple closed all my bug reports on the matter with the following statement: “Please note that the current configuration is not supported. We recommend using Time Capsule.
We consider this issue closed. Thank you for taking the time to notify us of this issue.”
So, Apple, will you credit my cost of the AirPort Extreme (which Steve Jobs told us all to buy ahead of Leopard), for the cost of a Time Capsule? Didn’t think so.
I advise everyone stuck with one of these units, to buy an OSx86 PC, and backup to that. If Apple hauls me into court, I’ll counter-claim in a class action over this debacle. Also, this weekend I will have much fun in yanking my AirPort Extreme from my network. Apple has clearly dropped the ball here.
Why wait for possibility that Apple will to take you to court? Why don’t you file a class action:
…”And thus, RadarWeb bug 5860702 was born. Basically, it says, Apple, if you’re going to leave this feature buggy… you’ve got to warn users that it’s buggy. Time Machine data shouldn’t be put at risk, ever. This is people’s backups, their lives, we’re taking about.”
In my opinion, there is a clear case based on SJ’s comments up-selling the Airport Extreme/Time Machine backup option prior to the Air Capsule release.
Remember, “if you build it, the people will come…”
As a consumer advocate, I see stuff like this every day. I can’t take people to court… because then I would be too tied up to point these things out all day long. Often times, simply pointing them out and generating publicity is sufficient enough to get corrective action. Here however, it appears Apple wants to sell Time Capsules instead.
Class action attorneys generally give the person who brings them the case, a reasonable fee for being an initial plaintiff (rather, it’s generally part of any class action settlement). If you are affected, I would suggest getting in touch with class action attorneys and pitch them the case yourself.
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