While we're sure this was a simple pick-list problem in the distribution center, it marred an otherwise impressive performance and added some work for the recipient who had to look up the German word for "language" before she could begin ripping her CDs. Of course, a deutschPod would not be a problem for the Governor of California, Austrian-born ex-Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Apple's misstep recalled a meeting with Compaq some years back when an engineering manager suggested a money-saving shortcut to localizing laptops for Germany. Rather than translate the documentation and otherwise adapt the product to German market needs, he suggested bundling a "Learning English" CD with each new laptop sent to Germany. This approach struck us as being like the VCRs that used to ship with "How to Install Your New VCR" videotapes. However, there was some enthusiasm around this idea until a German member of the team suggested that BMW might do the same thing with its autos. Bundling a "Learning German" CD with each new car could save the Bavarian automaker a lot of money in translating documentation. The Compaq idea for Germany was quickly shelved.