Apple's next-gen iPod nano may see return of narrow form factor
Apple's "fatboy" iPod nano may be retired after only a year on the market to make way for a new generation of the player that will mark a return of the narrow form factor used in the first two generations of the device.
Citing "extremely confident" sources, iLounge reports the new player will retain its traditional click-wheel while sporting an elongated display with the same 1.5:1 widescreen aspect ratio as the iPhone and iPod touch, versus the 1.33:1 ratio of the prior iPod nano and iPod classic.
This will leave the player looking like, among all other things, one of Microsoft's existing Flash-based Zune players, those sources say. Apple is said to have made the move in order to preserve all of the fatboy nano's usability, while adding longer display that will allow users to rotate the device into landscape mode for viewing videos.
While iLounge is not a traditional source of insider information, it does have close ties to iPod and iPhone casing manufacturers who are sometimes privy to the dimensions of Apple's next-generation handheld devices ahead of their release.
By releasing those dimensions early, Apple affords those manufacturers ample time to develop and bring to market casings and protective holders around the same time that it introduces its remodeled handheld products.
An artist's rendition of what may be Apple's next-gen iPod nano design. | Source : iLounge.
As such, iLounge is largely credited as being one of the few publications to accurately describe the form factor of Apple's iPhone 3G handset before its public unveiling.
In its report late Tuesday, the publication also cited sources who indicated that recent rumors of next-generation iPod nanos adopting multi-colored enclosures are "most likely inaccurate."
Instead, each fourth-generation iPod nano is will more likely sport a single-colored anodized aluminum frame akin to the second-generation of the players introduced in the fall of 2006.
Citing "extremely confident" sources, iLounge reports the new player will retain its traditional click-wheel while sporting an elongated display with the same 1.5:1 widescreen aspect ratio as the iPhone and iPod touch, versus the 1.33:1 ratio of the prior iPod nano and iPod classic.
This will leave the player looking like, among all other things, one of Microsoft's existing Flash-based Zune players, those sources say. Apple is said to have made the move in order to preserve all of the fatboy nano's usability, while adding longer display that will allow users to rotate the device into landscape mode for viewing videos.
While iLounge is not a traditional source of insider information, it does have close ties to iPod and iPhone casing manufacturers who are sometimes privy to the dimensions of Apple's next-generation handheld devices ahead of their release.
By releasing those dimensions early, Apple affords those manufacturers ample time to develop and bring to market casings and protective holders around the same time that it introduces its remodeled handheld products.
An artist's rendition of what may be Apple's next-gen iPod nano design. | Source : iLounge.
As such, iLounge is largely credited as being one of the few publications to accurately describe the form factor of Apple's iPhone 3G handset before its public unveiling.
In its report late Tuesday, the publication also cited sources who indicated that recent rumors of next-generation iPod nanos adopting multi-colored enclosures are "most likely inaccurate."
Instead, each fourth-generation iPod nano is will more likely sport a single-colored anodized aluminum frame akin to the second-generation of the players introduced in the fall of 2006.
Comments
It just looks like a 1G and 2G nano, which the Zune team borrowed the shape from.
A touch screen Nano would be amazing.
Why bring the Zune into it?
It just looks like a 1G and 2G nano, which the Zune team borrowed the shape from.
i was thinking similar.
Apple Event ?
Buy a mac and get iPod free ends Sep 15th, event before that time?
when will be the
Apple Event ?
Buy a mac and get iPod free ends Sep 15th, event before that time?
Usually after- so to keep the uninformed thinking that they are getting a unbelievable deal only to get smacked the following week or two.
Personally, the chubby nano design grew on me. Going back to the mini/first-gen nano shape is kinda boring.
I think that the. current design/form factor -- esp. the phatty -- was a mistake, and, perhaps to some degree, explains the slowdown in sales growth rate.
Return to the slimmer form factor is good - but, please Apple, give us better than average audio!! I want my Audiophile iPod! iPods/Apple needs to be class leading in Audio Quality.
Good point- and give us a better equalizer too.
where is the Home button ? nice though
64Gb is kinda of expensive, unless there is some tiny tiny HDD available for iPod touch sizes
If the device is to be held horizontally for video Apple could include an accelerometer and backlit clickwheel markings that rotate the menu, play/pause and back/forward buttons around the wheel by 90 degrees so that the clickwheel always appears upright no matter the devices orientation.
I agree... this would be consistent with the direction Apple is going... and it does not outshine the iPod Touch or iPhone's user experience... one thought on the interface though is the SJ did say when they launched the iPhone that OSx was the experience they wanted to deliver all thier customers... imagine a derivative of OSx even on the new Nano... that would kill M$ and all the other clones.
where is the Home button ? nice though
I know, there'll be a home button. Was thinking that all along. Although with the interface I have in mind we might not see a home button, but rather a "Back" button up top left within each app.
one thought on the interface though is the SJ did say when they launched the iPhone that OSx was the experience they wanted to deliver all thier customers... imagine a derivative of OSx even on the new Nano... that would kill M$ and all the other clones.
Huh? I don't get you. Nothing will kill M$, and don't listen to Jobs. He talks a lot of ****
NOW put wifi in it, WOW, maybe a simple safari browser