Wii and PlayStation PSP.” And as new devices are rolled out, you can be sure that Rapid Repair will be upto-date on what’s out there. Last year, 12 hours prior to the latest iPhone release in the United States, Vronko flew to Paris to be one of the first to pick his up at a midnight iPhone release event—only to tear it apart to see how it was assembled. “Today, there is a real demand for the ‘doit-yourself’ market,” says Vronko. “We could have viewed this as a lost opportunity, but you’ve got to get your head out of the clouds, figure out a way to make operational changes and have the courage and persistence to adapt a plan until it works for you. Through our online assistance, we now sell parts and accessories for these do-ityourselfers.” Vronko says the passion to be an entrepreneur is the most intangible requisite. “If you can’t get up in the morning and be excited about making something happen for your business, you’re in the wrong place,” says Vronko. “You have to wake up knowing that every day you are ultimately responsible for sales, finance, labor, expenses, and every other facet of your own success. While most people understandably prefer the comfort and security of having a limited scope of functions of the company, an entrepreneur sees this responsibility as the  call to arms of each new day.”

As business continues to grow, Vronko and Levy are moving the business to a 4,300 square foot building in early fall. Rapid Repair employs 15 people. The Web address is: www.rapidrepair.com.

Aaron Vronko, BBA ’06
Aaron Vronko’s inquisitiveness was evident at an early age. He admits to always questioning how things worked while growing up and credits his parents for putting up with the question “why” a million or so times. A highly energetic individual, Vronko attended
classes at Grand Valley State University to obtain a Microsoft Systems Engineering certificate while still a junior in high school in Grand Rapids, Mich. He entered WMU as a freshman undecided in his major and admits he “bombed out” the first semester. He took the next semester off and landed a job at the help desk of a local pharmaceutical company where he worked for 2.5 years before losing his position, along with many others, through a merger. “I soon realized that I had to get my life back on track, so I enrolled in
classes at a local community college for a year before transferring back to Western as a management major.” He graduated magna cum laude in 2006 and from then on he began to devote all of his time to the business. Vronko credits his professors at the Haworth College of Business with “teaching me the sound fundamentals of running a good business,” and for “showing me how to advance business development.” Vronko married fellow WMU alumna Lindsay Scott, BS ’08, this summer.

Ben Levy grew up in Kalamazoo, but spent his high school years in Grand Rapids, Mich. Ben was an all-state wrestler. “My coach, Dave
Mills, helped me excel in the sport and also taught me many things about life and ethics,” says Levy. Levy chose Western because
he had a lot of family and friends in Kalamazoo, and it was far enough away from home to live on his own. He started as a computer science major, and then switched to computer information systems. Levy graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2004 with a major in computer information systems.

1. Books

Let’s examine how the two devices compare when it comes to features, display, interface and general usability, content management and download compatibility, and hardware quality.

The Features

While both iPods and Zunes support the standard audio, video, photo and gaming capabilities, the Microsoft Zune brand embraces two features that the iPod does not support. The Zune’s FM tuner allows users to receive FM radio signals in their areas and tag specific songs for download later (only with the new Zune 3.0). Additionally, Zune users can network over WiFi with nearby Zunes to sample songs they have, for up to three days.

While it may seem that you will never need an FM radio with thousands of songs at your fingertips, it gives you the chance to break your bubble of isolation and tune into the latest music or catch news from the outside world. This is supported by the many iPod users who have clamored for built-in FM in the past, and a vocal minority will probably continue to do so.

Not as useful at this point is the Zune’s WiFi music sharing feature, which is unfortunately rendered ineffective by the need to have … another Zune in beaming distance. Combine this will the digital rights management (DRM) limitation of 3 days or 3 plays, and some question if this addition is even worth it. We still expect this will be a fun and interesting feature if Microsoft ever figures out how to steal some of the iPod’s market mojo.

The Display

The iPod Classic’s 2.5-inch color LCD screen is a significant drawback for the Apple device when compared to the Zune’s 3.2-inch screen. The size difference affects the quality of the video media experience, putting Zune well in the lead for visual content superiority.

Earlier generation Zunes and iPods had front panels constructed of polycarbonate plastic. These panels were impact-resistant but scratched easily and transmitted force to the LCD screen. Front panels and lenses wouldn’t break often, but LCD screens — the most expensive of the three visual hardware components — would take much of the force, ultimately breaking much more often.

New-model Zunes and iPods have moved to laminated glass for the lens over the LCD, which is more scratch resistant but more easily broken. If the device is dropped, the lens takes much of the force, in turn sparing the LCD. We rarely see broken screens with Zunes, most likely due to a safer design.

Replacing a lens is far less expensive than replacing an LCD screen. Remember, neither company covers screen damage under warranty.

Interface and General Usability

While the Zune might have more features, the iPod gains a unique advantage in its simplicity, allowing a less savvy user to navigate and utilize the included features. But a huge contributor to the iPod’s success has been the click wheel, which has been the navigation key since the release of the iPod mini in 2004. Customers simply love the interface; you can scroll large lists quickly, with as yet unmatched precision. Thousands of songs, organized by any major category, can be accessed depending on how quickly you move your finger.

In contrast, the Zune began without touch-sensitive functionality. Manipulating early generation Zunes provided users a quick mode of transportation but very little precision. Newer generation Zunes come equipped with the “squircle” (square-circle hybrid), which is touch-sensitive and enables users to navigate large lists more precisely. Still, with a few years of trial and error, the iPod click wheel is more refined.

Content Management and Download Compatibility

The usage of all included features and the simplicity of accessing all the content you could want and loading that content to your device are a few of the iPod’s greatest perks. The Zune’s content management platform isn’t quite as universal or comprehensive.

The iPod/iTunes package integrates and simplifies the content loading process. Both iTunes and Zune Marketplace are software installations that integrate with the device that each program supports. Because of its notoriety and the length it has been on the market, iTunes is a one-stop shop for almost all media, providing music, tons of movies and television shows.

Zune Marketplace, on the other hand, is not as well organized and isn’t nearly as extensive with its content offerings. Therefore, Zune owners have to find other ways to find content that the Zune Marketplace might not offer, like ripping owned CDs and movies and converting downloadable media purchased from other outlets.

Both programs accept plain MP3s, but neither device is compatible with its competitor’s content. So if you use iTunes, you won’t be able to load or play iTunes content on a Zune device.

Hardware Quality

Audio Processor: The audio processors on new Zunes integrate power management directly onto the chip, which allows it to sip slowly and offset the extra power usage from its added features. Advantage iPod, but not by much.

Batteries: Neither the Zune nor the iPod is built for consumers to easily replace a worn-out battery, which is part of the device’s built-in obsolescence. However, with some bravery or professional help, you can easily get your battery replaced.

Low Insertion Force (LIF) Cable: The new Zune uses a Low Insertion Force (LIF) cable that connects the hard drive to the system board. Due to a design flaw, the LIF is flimsy and breaks much easier than the iPod’s well-positioned cable. Therefore, trauma or force effects the connection to a greater extent with the new Zune.

The iPod has also had its share of LIF cable issues. With the fourth- and fifth-generation iPods, the LIF cable would lose connectivity over time. The iPod’s LIF was held into the socket with a clip, which would dig into the pin leads and create divots. However, the manufacturer has attempted to fix this flaw with the new generation of iPod, which features a redesign that appears to address the problem. We won’t know for about another year if the redesign will factor into the device’s built-in obsolescence.

Built-In Obsolescence: iPod and Zune manufacturers have learned from design flaws over time, and it appears that most of the significant problems have been fixed with their latest iterations. Still, neither company has made changing the device battery any less difficult for consumers. Consumers who find that a broken device doesn’t fall under warranty can employ any number of professional repair services to perform an affordable fix.

Remember, the industry standard is that fifteen percent of electronics devices will fail in the first year. Don’t let designed obsolescence get you down; talk to a professional about how you can salvage your device.

As the iPod’s popularity has soared, so have the fortunes of businesses dedicated to refurbishing and repairing the MP3 players. Some of them, such as PodSwap.com, allow customers to trade in used iPods — working or not — toward the price of new or refurbished iPod. In 18 months, PodSwap.com has taken in 5,000 iPods, and founder Gregg Radell says that he typically receives 1,500 inquiries each weekend, according to a McClatchy Newspapers article.

Reporter Joseph Tartakoff estimated that at least 12 companies are in the iPod repair and refurbish market. One iPod entrepreneur, Brandon Jones, is just 21 and has been running BrokeniPods.com for 18 months. He fixes between 200 and 400 iPods each month, with the average repair price around $100.

While the iPod’s success is a big part of these companies’ growth, some feel that the iPod’s perceived fragility plays a role too. “It’s the Corvette and not the tank,” said Aaron Vronko, business manager at iPodMods.com. “It looks sleek and works well and doesn’t hold up to a lot of damage.”

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told Mr. Tartakoff that “an iPod is designed to last four years.” Harvey Rosenfeld, president of The Foundation for Taxpaer & Consumer Rights, responded: “This is not a throwaway camera. These are a sophisticated piece of electronic equipment that people will assume will last a long, long time. And when they don’t, that’s improper.” His organization currently has a lawsuit against Apple over weaknesses in the iPod nano pending.

Analyst Rob Enderle estimated that “15% of iPods will fail within one year,” which he said is “roughly comparable to other small electronic devices, such as cell phones,” according to Mr. Tartakoff, who added: “Nevertheless, he said, cell phones are much easier and cheaper to repair. ‘Apple’s view is they want the customer to buy a new one on a regular basis,’ Enderle said.”

Ms. Kerris replied that the iPod’s failure rate is under 5%, which she characterized as “fairly low” when stacked against other consumer electronics.