07 February 2005 Monday
Anapod
i’m not really in the immediate market for an iPod, since i’m quite happy with my iAudio M3..
but with the realization that there is such thing as “Anapod” out there, it is now reasonable for me to ever consider getting myself an iPod (or recommending one to anyone whose life isn’t strictly Mac)..
in case you don’t already know, i despise iTunes. i despise mostly the Windows version, but for many of the same reasons, i don’t love the Mac version—though i do understand and believe that it is a very happy program when run on a Mac. but it’s very exclusive about formats and limits all choices… the fact that it’s well-designed in most respects doesn’t really excuse those deliberate limitations ..for me.
in any case, there’s the Anapod. i’ve not used it, cuz i’ve not an iPod.. but from the looks of it, this would solve most of my problems with the iPod/iTunes. :) anyway, i was happy to make this discovery.. maybe someone else will read this and find it happy too.
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Comments on Anapod
Anapod worked on my machine…until rebooted.
I did as every good “user” would do, and contacted support.
5 emails and 7 days later, no response… So I disputed the transaction with paypal, RedChair still didn’t even respond to the dispute.
If it works for you, good for you. I wouldn’t give my money to this fly-by-night operation, as if you have a problem, you will either be contacted extrememly slowly (dozens of emails), or not at all.
Here’s a link for a google search, I suggest you read some of them before purchasing this product.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=anapod+scam&btnG=Google+Search
Notice that most of the complaints are due to no support…
I’m no lover of iTunes, that’s why I bought Anapod and used version 8.9.9. The idea is nice. Unfortunately they are liers.
- You can only upload videos as Music Videos!
- They seem to have no customer support whatsoever.
- It’s not 100% compatible with iTunes. It’s a nightmare if you try to use both. I “disconnect” the ipod before switching from one application to the other, and even so, the last time, for example, Anapod made iTunes reupload all the videos, even though I only used Anapod to view the iPod’s content.
Unless you see a blog of RedChair’s developers or some other way to find actual stuff about what they are working on, better use something else.
A weird thing is that the software acts as a web server you can use to browse the iPod. Pretty weird usecase, IMO, since I’d rather use it when I’m away from the computer.
I paid for Anapod Explorer 8.9.9a and the installer won't even work. I get the "Installer file expired" error. Do I know if they are reading my emails for support? Do I know when to expect a new release of the installer to fix the problem? Do I have a phone number to call? Is there a name of a human being who works for Red Chair Software I can refer to? The answer to all these questions is “No”. I think I have wasted my money.
Here is the answer to the installer problems https://www.redchairstore.com/installer.php
Thanks bhoyzone, that worked for me. I don’t know how you found that URL. I couldn’t find it myself. The Anapod Explorer Installer File Error window has no reference to that URL, rather it refers to an email address which is no longer used to receive support requests, so I had to resend support request emails to other addresses.
Anapod Explorer works great for me. My experience with iTunes left me none too pleased with the software so I s pent my twenty bucks for software that was worth every penny and more. New version is 9.0 and I’d recommend to anyone!
RED CHAIR SOFTWARE has declared BANKRUPTSY!
MORAL Bankruptsy, that is…
Unfortunately, Red Chair Software has declared bankruptsy and has gone out of business.
That must be why they haven’t responded to my scores of email support requests.
If you get am email response from any of these email addresses, let me know. (Subject line should read: “Activation Issue”)
cardinal@redchairsoftware.com, rouge@redchairsoftware.com, ip@redchairsoftware.com, service@redchairsoftware.com, press@redchairsoftware.com.
RED CHAIR SOFTWARE is a WASTE of MONEY!!!!!
What the hell is it with me and CRAPPY companies that are supposed to provide service, BUT DON’T?
We all know that the spat between Microsoft and Apple causes our programs to “not play together nicely in the sandbox”, and some companies have developed ways to get around this. One company of a-holes, Red Chair Software, came out with the Anapod Explorer to rip-off the public under the guise of helping to ease the MS/APPLE issues.
When all I had was my one 3rd generation iPod, the software worked, and all was right with the world. Then we got iPod #2, and the start of my problems began…
Turns out, that my “3rd generation” software cost $25, but a “Universal Edition” was $30. When all I had was the one iPod, there was no question. Turns out, though that the one for 5 bucks more will work with “all of a family’s iPods”.
Why do they do this? One word: Confusion. See, IF you buy the “3rd generation” version and get another iPod later on, you are forced to buy ANOTHER $25 version. If you had purchased the $30 “Universal Version” in the first place, it would automatically cover the new iPod.
Why wouldn’t they just sell the more expensive version, and be done with it? Again, CONFUSION. If you are confused about their product, they can sell another $25 version, then they’ve almost DOUBLED their bottom line. But the public wouldn’t STAND for a company who marketed software that only worked with one iPod at a time. So they’ve got DENIABILITY.
Red Chair Software can say: “We’ve got one version that covers ALL your iPods.” And LOOK like the good guys. But they’re not. Part of the cost of software is SUPPOSED to cover “normal” support. RED CHAIR SOFTWARE DOES NOT GIVE SUPPORT TO THEIR USERS.
Each version of this software is SUPPOSED to work on WHATEVER computer you put it on. So, I’ve got it on my home and work PC’s. Only thing is, THIS CRAP ANAPOD SOFTWARE FROM RED CHAIR SOFTWARE RECOGNIZES MY IPOD AS ANOTHER NEW G-DAMN IPOD AT WORK, THAN IT DOES AT HOME!!!
This means I have to BUY ANOTHER LICENSE from these a-holes at Red Chair Software – so this crappy software will work on my office PC!!!
Well, “F” that, Red Chair Software. You burned me for $50, and that’s all you’ll get from me.
I’ve emailed them NUMEROUS times, and they will NOT answer my emails.
(Now before you say: “Gee BG, you’re all “F” this and a-hole that, no wonder they don’t write you back.” Please know that I sent them 4 emails and a web form that were extremely polite. – AFTER WEEKS of not getting back to me, THAT’S when I put the BOXING GLOVES ON.)
To my readers: If you’d like to drop them a line, and ask them HOW they think they can continue to operate like this and NOT create a HORRIBLE REPUTATION as “RED CHAIR SOFTWARE – the WORST SOFTWARE ON THE PLANET”, you can reach them at: cardinal@redchairsoftware.com, service@redchairsoftware.com, rouge@redchairsoftware.com, press@redchairsoftware.com, or ip@redchairsoftware.com (Or EVEN all FIVE!!!)
Maybe if they get innundated with the public’s emails, they will reconsider their fraudulent ways. (Or at LEAST answer a few of their emails!)
I agree with your comments about Red Chair Software. Everything worked great until I updated my iPod firmware and it broke Red Chairs activation scheme. Over 10 emails over the last several months go unanswered. I am in the process of filing a formal complaint against them with the FTC for credit card fruad and urge others who have been ripped to the same.
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=
anyone have any contact info (phone number) for Re Chair? If I can get a Street Adrees I might be able to get a phone number.
He seems to be having ‘problems’ with Tech Support, Feedback and e-mail (for the last4+ months) as he is ‘unable’ to respond at All!!
What I bought from him did not work from day one and with 4+ months of NOTHING from him I want my money back.
Anyone think of buying Anapod or anything else form Red Chair – I would wait unil he can get things worked out. Too bad – 4 years ago he was Great!!
Thanks
Ditto..No support..No contact info
I have been having the same problem. Actually after a week i recieved an email back from cardinal@redchairsoftware.com which i was not expecting. SO that address is definietly active (just obviously not very active). I am having problems with the installer expired issue too. He has not managed to come back to me on this issue as yet. Will let you know if he does.
Just in case anyone else is having the same problem with the installer as I was (claiming it had expired) the instructions at http://blog.garethjmsaunders.co.uk/anapod-installation/
helped me out. Basically my Anapod installer seems to think it’s 5th August 2007. Who am I to argue?
My ipod 4th gen died so I bought a new 80gb ipod Classic a few months back. This version of the ipod is NOT supported by Anapod Explorer as of 3/10/08.
I emailed redchair and (unsurprisingly) never received a response. I was pleased with anapod for 2 years, it worked fine. Now I use winamp…
I haave read these comments and BECAUSE & in SPITE of them (and others), I purchased the universal version. Guys and gals, its almost freeware … 30 bucks 4 life! Thats about the same as most of the crybabies pay monthly for new songs from iTunes.
IF IT DID JUST ONE THING – namely, getting ALL of your music on all your iPod/MP3 players + your PC and being able to burn backups/ road CDs; wouldn’t that be worth $30??
YES!! ,,, its not perfect ,,, deal with it & move on ,,,
Thx, the activation worked for me now.
Thx a lot!
I mirror all the complaints about anapod above. Unbelievable. No support whatsoever. None. Even for nicely written legitimate complaints and requests for help.
I used anapod 9.0.6. to upload photos to my 80Gb Ipod Classic. It doesn’t work. I lost everything I had in the pod, including the audiobooks.
So I paid the US$30 to try the support… never answered. The only thing I managed to do was to backup everythig with the anapod CopyGear. OK now I have the files in my HDD, but anapod does NOT manage to put them back in the Ipod Classic, everytime I get “no music” after ejection! I’m using MediaMonkey for the musics, but I LOST ALL my audiobooks since MediaMonkey don’t manage those files. I will have to reinstall Itunes.
I used anapod 9.0.6. to upload photos to my 80Gb Ipod Classic. It doesn’t work. I lost everything I had in the pod, including the audiobooks.
So I paid the US$30 to try the support… never answered. The only thing I managed to do was to backup everythig with the anapod CopyGear. OK now I have the files in my HDD, but anapod does NOT manage to put them back in the Ipod Classic, everytime I get “no music” after ejection! I’m using MediaMonkey for the musics, but I LOST ALL my audiobooks since MediaMonkey don’t manage those files. I will have to reinstall Itunes.
Much has been said about Red Chair Softwares service (or complete absence of) on this and other forums already.
I am that passionate about the headache this organisation has caused me, that I am joining up forums to just to warn others and give my two cents worth.
Much same experience as reported elsewhere, have had issues – multiple e-mails sent to service request, order site, unique customer problem report number generated; but Alas! no response from any.
Saw that somebody else had refund from purchase via Paypal dispute.
Have since done proceedings myself.
Funnily enough, which is quite a coincidence really, since I have done this, and sent my intentions to Red Chair, my registered e-mail address has been receiving Spam e-mails at a ridiculous rate of attrition.
Now I can’t be certain, and certainly can’t make accusations, but one would certainly hope ANY organisation would be above selling or providing one’s registered particulars to Spam organisations out of spite or malice, particularly when their service and subsequent product was abhorrently woeful.
I paid for Anapod early last week and the purchase has yet to be acknowledged. There has yet to be a response to my email asking download instructions. After a little research (which should have preceded the purchase) I don’t think I would install the software, anyway. Steer clear of this stuff.
I paid for Anapod early last week and the purchase has yet to be acknowledged. There has yet to be a response to my email asking download instructions. After a little research (which should have preceded the purchase) I don’t think I would install the software, anyway. Steer clear of this stuff.
Just thought I’d mention another alternative. I’ve been using MediaMonkey for a little over a year and I love it. It doesn’t seem to support video, but that’s not a concern to me.
BE CAREFULL, Anapod support don’t work. The page for register user Don’t work. Anybody respond.
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