New Square iPod nano really a new iPod Shuffle

[Macdude2010]

A lot of people are saying that the new iPod nano is going to be square with no click wheel and have a touch screen that is 1.7 inches. This doesn't make sense. Apple has been increasing the size of the screen for 5 years so it wouldn't make sense for apple to all of a sudden drop the screen size down to the original screen size of the nano of 2005. I think apple will use this touch screen for a new iPod shuffle (or perhaps a new iPod.) I think that the iPod nano is going to keep it's form factor but the click wheel is going to be replaced by a touch screen control.

What do you think?

[Sky Blue]

What do you think?

I think this point has been made many times and it doesn't need it's own thread for the 100th time. I still think it's a Nano.

[iEvolution]

I think this point has been made many times and it doesn't need it's own thread for the 100th time. I still think it's a Nano.

Yeah it wouldn't be the first time apple downgraded a product. If the nano ends up dropping both the classic and shuffle from the line up & is a touch screen, no more iPods for this cat.

[zepman]

What if the new square iPod replaces the current shuffle, under the name iPod Nano. And the current nano just gets a small update and renames to just iPod, the current iPod Classic is discontinued. And the touch gets more capacity?

It makes no sense to discontinue the current nano and replace it with a much smaller square shaped iPod. Or maybe the square shaped iPod just is the new shuffle. Or the rumored square shaped screen isn't used at all in the iPod line...

Four more days before we know fore sure...

[Dhelsdon]

It'd be nice if the current iPod classic was reintroduced with the same capacities in a smaller form factor.

[grahamnp]

I doubt Apple would make the current shuffle bigger even if it meant better functionality. We all know how they always stick to their guns even when proven wrong.

[AppleMactablet]

I think its a shuffle, I think Apple will drop the nano and the classic-if you think about it, if Apple did this, it would dramically drop the prices on the touch-and the regualr buyers of nano would buy the touch-
btw if this happens the ipod touch will be renamed just "ipod"

[rgarjr]

long skinny nanos fit better in the hand.

[TorontoLRT]

Where's the screen? Other side?

[rgarjr]

yeah that's the back side of it. I was messing around though, will probably edit it more.

[puma1552]

it almost cant be a nano if for nothing else other than the nano is overdue for 32 gigs of storage. Even 16 in that little square seems pretty unlikely...

[rgarjr]

What are the odds of the new nano having a wifi chip to stream Internet radio?

[Defender2010]

Here's a quick nano mockup that was playing around with.

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=248856&d=1283024541

OK, here's a different concept with dual touch screens. Two small speakers on the sides.
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/9988/transu.png




Yeah, u gotta edit an awful lot more....dual screens? next they will add Donkey Kong. Terrible mock up!

[Peterson8765]

I don't see Apple downgrading the iPod nano, if anything that screen is for a next gen. Shuffle, Apple has probably realized that their Shuffle 3G has gotten negative reviews and relatively poor sales. The screen could also be used for the next gen. Apple TV perhaps?

[ChrisGonzales90]

One of the many requests for the 3rd gen nano was to add video. So why would they downsize? I dont think many would want to watch video on a small 1.5" screen

Its the new shuffle. But the screen will NOT be multi touch, but rather tacktile like the Blackberry storm, thus allowing you to control it with out looking at it.

[Peterson8765]

Here's a quick nano mockup that was playing around with.

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=248856&d=1283024541

OK, here's a different concept with dual touch screens. Two small speakers on the sides.
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/9988/transu.png

I actually really like this mock up, thanks for sharing! I hope the new nano looks like that, or maybe with just one 2.8" touchscreen that iLounge pointed out potentially.

[rgarjr]

Okay well maybe not dual screens but how about a large screen with the bottom portion multi touch?

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7360/21670749.jpg

[Usernames Suck]

Okay well maybe not dual screens but how about a large screen with the bottom portion multi touch?

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2455/13897512.jpg

I saw this (http://www.bildites.lv/viewer.php?file=1vc0hzahmglovxo69hv.jpg) and I thought that it might work.

[scoobydiesel]

I like that, the new "shuffle" and the Nano updates with touch screens, But either way I still want a classic, I need more space(as my 30gb was stolen so i will be looking to buy a new one)

[millertime021]

long skinny nanos fit better in the hand.

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!!!!!!


... wait a second....

[TorontoLRT]

^Just change one word...

[Eric4082]

I wouldn't want a square screen because i watch a lot of wide screen video on my ipod and how would you control the content on a screen that small, all its good for is seeing the album artwork of the track that you are listening to!!

What i do like thought is the idea of a wide touch screen ipod, that would be incredible! i would go out and buy one of those!

[Eric4082]

I saw this (http://www.bildites.lv/viewer.php?file=1vc0hzahmglovxo69hv.jpg) and I thought that it might work.
Why not just make the whole screen multi-touch! making half of it touch sensitive is just ilogical!

[Eric4082]

/tmp/PreviewPasteboardItems/The next ipod range-1 (dragged).tiff
i thought this was a pretty good mockup of the rumored next gen shuffle. it would make sense as apple has used this style on the iphone!

[Peterson8765]

Okay well maybe not dual screens but how about a large screen with the bottom portion multi touch?

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7360/21670749.jpg

That looks awesome dude. So sleek.

[LLPE33]

As I just noted in another thread the cases and the mock ups for this new nano/shuffle don't match at this point.

To agree with others, I want this to be a new shuffle-esque product and want a larger form factor 32GB nano. I'm not holding my breath as I never do with Apple, but that's just my 0.02.

[LLPE33]

Having posted the previous, it begs the question: is the nano keeping the same form factor with more memory and maybe a camera upgrade (and therefore no need for new cases) OR is going the way of the dodo?

...again, based the idea that this new critter ain't be a nano.

[shinerburke]

Okay well maybe not dual screens but how about a large screen with the bottom portion multi touch?

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7360/21670749.jpg

I'd buy that in a heartbeat!

[Warbrain]

I originally thought it could be a nano but now I think it's a shuffle. The size and everything just screams shuffle instead.

[gianly1985]

About the possible naming scheme:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/on-ipod-names-goodbye-ipod-touch/

My 2 cents:

1) iPod Touch
No revolutions in naming. I know that the (maybe up to 128gb) iPod Touch becoming "the iPod™" is a fascinating scenario, but it would confuse people imho. The "funniest ipod ever" has been heavily marketed for 3 years as "iPod Touch", that's the name people and KIDS know, that's the product kids are gonna ask to Santa next Christmas. They cannot waste the "iPod Touch" brand power.

2) iPod Nano/Shuffle/square_thingy
Here things get weird.
Will the "Nano" be downgraded? (screen for videos and clickwheel games, and what about the video-recording? How do you hold that small square?)
Or the "Shuffle" become oversized (compared to the current) and gain a screen? Will it be marketed as a necklace-able device? (with your friends being able to see the album art of what you're listening to). And, if the "square ipod" is the new shuffle, what wonders await us for the real 6th gen Nano we still haven't seen? Maybe we don't have case leaks because the Nano will keep the same form factor? (which would TOTALLY make sense, why go thinner than half-pencil-thin? or smaller than it's ergonomically possible to hold? just improve the battery, maybe a retina-grade screen, better video-recording, etc.)
My bets are on:
- the Shuffle being the square-ish one. Old shuffles still available for a while. (already happened, right?)

- the iPod Nano continuing to serve as the "default" ipod, with a PROPER (hand-holdable) form factor, not some weird stamp-inspired uncomfortable necklace-pod design.

- the iPod Touch not dropping the "touch" moniker, who cares if the shuffle get a touch too. (I'm talking to you, iLounge). Oh, stop the 2.8" non-sense already. That's not possible on so many (app store) levels.

- the Classic living on for its niche.