Apple's 1.3 MP Camera-Equipped iPod Nano Due for Launch in March/April? [Updated]

[MacRumors]

http://images.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/01/apples-1-3-mp-camera-equipped-ipod-nano-due-for-launch-in-marchapril/)


Earlier today, we reported on new photos (http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/01/new-photos-of-camera-equipped-ipod-nano-casing-surface/) of an iPod nano casing that appears to support a rear-facing camera. With similar photos having shown up in the past, it was unclear whether Apple was still pursuing the design for a future iPod nano.

http://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2012/02/ipod_nano_camera_2.jpeg


M.I.C gadget now weighs in (http://micgadget.com/21519/this-camera-equipped-ipod-nano-is-a-prototype-that-takes-overexposed-photos/) with claims that the pictured device is in fact a two-month old prototype but that Apple has been having difficulties with the 1.3-megapixel camera taking overexposed photos.It's real, and it's a two-month-old prototype that has big problems. It comes with an auto iris lens that can be affected by diffraction and blurring when the iris opening becomes too small in bright conditions. Ok, I gotta say it simply, it takes overexposed photos.

According to our factory sources, Apple have problems with the lens aperture for the next-gen iPod nano, the iris is not functioning correctly to allow the advantages of the low aperture to be utilized.Interestingly, the report claims that the user interface for the camera features is finished and that Apple is looking to launch the device late this quarter or early next quarter once it finishes working out the camera issues.

The release would be a significant deviation from Apple's usual iPod refresh timeline, which has typically seen updates come in the September-October timeframe. But with Apple shaking up its schedules in 2011 by pushing the iPhone back from its usual June release to take the iPod's place with an October debut, it is possible that other changes to the usual timeline are in store.

The iPods saw only very minor changes last October, with the iPod touch essentially gaining only a white option and a price drop while the iPod nano saw a price drop and a software update that was also compatible with the previous year's model. The iPod shuffle and iPod classic received no updates at all, making Apple's 2011 iPod updates by far the most modest in the company's history. Consequently, Apple could be looking to make more substantial changes to its iPod line, such as the release of a camera-equipped iPod nano, well ahead of the fall 2012 timeframe.

Update: Refuting M.I.C gadget's claim that the iPod nano shown in the photos is a two-month old prototype, Apple.pro's Anthony Tsai posts this screenshot showing that the photos were in fact originally posted to the Internet in August 2011:

http://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2012/02/ipod_nano_camera_aug11.jpg



Article Link: Apple's 1.3 MP Camera-Equipped iPod Nano Due for Launch in March/April? [Updated] (http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/01/apples-1-3-mp-camera-equipped-ipod-nano-due-for-launch-in-marchapril/)

[Alaerian]

This is overboard. We don't need a camera on everything.

[r2fa3l]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

This is in one word : Irrelevant.
There's absolutely no need for a 1.3MP camera on an iPod Nano these days.

[Rocketman]

Simple. Make the casing 1mm thicker. Done.

P.S. Make the entire back surface a CMOS sensor so it captures 4K video. In a NANO!!

[William.Mantle]

1.3MP camera... The downfall of apple begins

[MacDarcy]

So let me get this straight....even the lowly ipod nano is gonna have a better camera than the ipod touch now? Boo! Lol.

[hobo.hopkins]

I don't think the addition would be a bad thing, although I agree that it wouldn't be very exciting or useful. I could actually see them deviating from their normal iPod refresh timing, since it would seem as though the iPhone has taken over the September event (if last year is any indication of events moving forward).

[SamFisher]

iPod nano totally does not need a camera, it just adds more stuff to potentially go wrong.

Everyone who needs a camera already has either a dedicated camera, an iPhone/camera phone, or an iPod touch.

What next. a point and snap shuffle :)

[boy-better-know]

Why does everything get a camera shoe horned onto it these days?

[pmz]

Only question...why? Is this really expected to sell more Nanos? I think not.

Ditch the silly camera idea, and instead build in Bluetooth 4, make it connect to the iPhone in your pocket, and have it show notifications and talk to Siri.

THAT would make for a better Nano watch. Not a 1.3 mp bozo.

[DerekRod]

Why does everything get a camera shoe horned onto it these days?
Because sexting is all the RAGE these days :p

[Kid A]

Apple's 1.3 MP Camera-Equipped iPod Nano Due for Launch in March/April?

this is an easy one.
magic 8-ball (which has a 1.6 MP camera, btw), says NO.

[longofest]

This smells really fishy about this source. Why the focus on photos? It's a 1.3 MP camera. The only thing anyone will be doing is taking videos with it, if that.

Could be legit, but the emphasis on overexposed photos rubs me the wrong way.

[taylorharris50]

Add GPS - Garmin Forerunner killer

[goaliefight]

Bring back the click wheel! Also, if you want to really pimp out the Nano add XM to it.

PS> Number of pics/videos I have taken on my 2.5 year old fifth-generation iPod nano: 0

[LostSoul80]

An ultra compact camera device to take personal photos. I'd like to see it.

[mrjamieb]

Some people are bloody miserable lol

It might be irrelevant if you have no imagination. People will find uses for it, use your heads.

I, for example, could use it as a way of capturing snapshots when out on work and am unable to get out my iPhone due to legalities concerning using your phone whilst driving, & when I don't wanna look like a weirdo taking photos of places for record on my phone - I've get funny looks when I do this.

Or you're at the gym, your phone is in your locker, you're listening to your tunes whilst working out & you need to take a snapshot of the hot ass that just appeared on the treadmill in front of you - discreetly! Who's gonna know you're taking photos when you're flicking the screen of your music player?! I don't use the gym but this particular scenario is transferrable.

Also, when your girlfriend or mistress is laying naked on the bed & you have you iPod to hand, who isn't gonna sneak a cheeky snap?! Just one of the many reasons to buy a 7th Gen. Nano cam!

It's just a folly & people will enjoy it by whatever means they're able to & therefor will buy it. I'd sell my 6th Gen. nano & have one of these just for the fun of it.

[efktd]

i think the gen 5 nano was perfect.

[Menopause]

April? I call BS! Who else?

[blackburn]

They are running out of ideas. It's supposed to be a music player why not give it a better battery than a punny camera?

[meli]

I think they need to significantly drop the price of iPod nanos. The larger capacity models should be priced at or under $100, with the smaller capacity model coming in around $80.

[iAshley]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

My thoughts exactly

[wickerman1893]

Basically less privacy than everyone has now...

[ronm99]

I always thought it was a bit strange that the iPod touch didn't get upgraded last cycle. The iPod touch is not as important as the iPhone, but it addresses a different market (one that Apple seems to "own" right now as Android competitors have not done well).

I'm now thinking that because the iPhone was released around the same time, Apple wanted to keep using the "older" technology to not compete with the iPhone 4s for production capacity.

Maybe they'll finally upgrade the iPod touch as well?

[jwdsail]

I want a *front facing* camera on the nano .. to use it as a FaceTime watch.. even if it could only be tethered to an iPhone or iPod Touch for that to work.. (BlueTooth? WiFI?) Passing Siri/notification data to/from an iPhone in your pocket would be a great addition as well.. sigh. Rear facing camera on a nano is full of fail..

Doesn't Apple have a patent showing a screen being used as a camera? That would be ideal..

grumble

[iEvolution]

Come on 32gb capacity! I want that more than a camera.

[thekeyring]

So basically, the two purchases I'm looking to make: An iPod touch and a MacBook Pro would be a gamble because of next-gen devices possibly being released soon. Aghh.

[Lesser Evets]

Hey, since Jobs passed on, Apple might actually begin to randomly release things as they are finished development, or they might slide release schedules all over depending on a dozen different reasons. If they deviate, now would make sense.

But, this rumor seems pretty akin to the typically obtuse mumblings of these modern Delphi oracles.

I think they need to significantly drop the price of iPod nanos. The larger capacity models should be priced at or under $100, with the smaller capacity model coming in around $80.

I agree. They have no specific function which would make me put down an extra $80 above a shuffle. That screen is nice... not worth that much money, and it doesn't do enough. Apple should be reducing shuffle and nano prices, leaving these other advances to higher-tier models (iPT, and up).

So basically, the two purchases I'm looking to make: An iPod touch and a MacBook Pro would be a gamble because of next-gen devices possibly being released soon. Aghh.
I'd recommend DEFINITELY waiting on the iPod Touch until the next gen. The next gen will definitely have an A5 (possibly an A6, but I doubt it) and have SIRI and other brilliant advances. Plus, there is a floating claim that the next gen will be some kinda major reworking that will be awesome.

[Chupa Chupa]

This is overboard. We don't need a camera on everything.

Not only that it doesn't make any sense from a sales perspective. Right now the nano is the premier gym music player. Adding a camera immediately shuts down that market as it would certain be added to the "banned devices" list.

Seems like a fake story. Also why would Apple target March/April. That is presumable when the iPad 3 would ship. Who would even notice a revamped nano?

[ChristianJapan]

I want a *front facing* camera on the nano .. to use it as a FaceTime watch.. even if it could only be tethered to an iPhone or iPod Touch for that to work.. (BlueTooth? WiFI?) Passing Siri/notification data to/from an iPhone in your pocket would be a great addition as well.. sigh. Rear facing camera on a nano is full of fail..

Doesn't Apple have a patent showing a screen being used as a camera? That would be ideal..

grumble

You beat me on that one ... FF camera could make sense plus Wifi; would be cool.

But backrear is not required; just a "me too"

[Eidorian]

I always thought it was a bit strange that the iPod touch didn't get upgraded last cycle. The iPod touch is not as important as the iPhone, but it addresses a different market (one that Apple seems to "own" right now as Android competitors have not done well).

I'm now thinking that because the iPhone was released around the same time, Apple wanted to keep using the "older" technology to not compete with the iPhone 4s for production capacity.

Maybe they'll finally upgrade the iPod touch as well?The "PMP" market is pretty crummy right now in general. I gave up and just bought a phone. Samsung comes close in the feature department on the Galaxy Player but the screen is about as desirable as the TN panel on the iPod Touch.

And then there is Archos...

[tatonka]

There was a Nano with a camera before .. quality was atrocious. I don't think Apple is going to try that again (besides .. a Spring launch for a new iPod .. I don't think so).

T.

[iEvolution]

I always thought it was a bit strange that the iPod touch didn't get upgraded last cycle. The iPod touch is not as important as the iPhone, but it addresses a different market (one that Apple seems to "own" right now as Android competitors have not done well).

I'm now thinking that because the iPhone was released around the same time, Apple wanted to keep using the "older" technology to not compete with the iPhone 4s for production capacity.

Maybe they'll finally upgrade the iPod touch as well?

I think from here on out the ipod touch will be playing catch up with the ipad and iphone, i bet it doesn't get an update until Q1 2013.

Its a smart business move really it tempts ipod touch users to upgrade to the iphone.

[FuNGi]

Seems silly. I would rather have a bit more battery in the camera's place. The only use for me would be if I need to take a bad photo of something while on a run.

Oh, and taking spy photo's from my "watch".

[steve2112]

this is an easy one.
magic 8-ball (which has a 1.6 MP camera, btw), says NO.

HA! My Android powered 8 ball has a 3.2MP camera!

:D

[iMaconApple]

next it will have a front camera for facetime :rolleyes:

[Madhawk]

This how the majority feel about this idea...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z202/PhantomShifty/do-not-want-dog.jpg

[SamFisher]

I think they should do the following.

Drop the shuffle, slide the product line along, lower the price of the nano.

less supply constraints, more money.

[mjtomlin]

Probably just a prototype unit to see if it could be done and if there's any advantage to it.

Although I do think Apple is going to start introducing new iPods along side new iPads in the spring now. I only think this because I also believe Apple will unveil a 6" iPod touch priced aggressively enough to kill the Kindle Fire and all other 'tweeners.

[radiohed]

1.3MP camera... The downfall of apple begins

Now you can take crappy photos to go with your low-fidelity music! :D

I agree, why bother putting a low quality camera into an Apple product? Do it right or don't do it at all. :eek:

[polaris20]

The Nano needs two things: Bluetooth (for wireless headphones) and GPS.

[goosnarrggh]

The prototype might be significantly older than 2 months.

Remember, the 5th generation iPod nano used to have a camera, and then when the 6th generation multitouch model rolled along in 2010, the camera disappeared.

Perhaps, back when Apple was still in the brainstorming stage during the transition from 5th generation to 6th generation, there was some initial hand-wringing about the prospect of dropping features, so they looked into ways of shoehorning all the 5G's features (camera included) into the 6G.

Later, perhaps when they realized that some things were causing them more trouble to implement correctly, they may have changed their minds and decided that the camera just wasn't useful enough to justify any further effort to perfect, so they scrapped it.

On the other hand, maybe they always intended to preserve the camera feature as they transitioned from 5G to 6G, but their release timeline was just too aggressive, to they decided to temporarily drop the camera, planning to re-introduce it in a future generation. In this hypothetical scenario, this prototype could be quite recent, and may just be part of the natural progression they had always intended.

[DerekRod]

Bring back the click wheel! Also, if you want to really pimp out the Nano add XM to it.

PS> Number of pics/videos I have taken on my 2.5 year old fifth-generation iPod nano: 0

Add XM pre merger the merger killed Squizz and made Opie and Anthony less enjoyable =(

[bushido]

they should just bring back the old gen design and call this one a shuffle. never understood that "downgrade" in the first place with the shuffle around

[DSanders]

Features Id like to see on the new nano are as follows:

1) Bluetooth.

2) Link to Iphone for call/message/email notifications. music control (for wired headphones off the iphone)/calendar remote etc / siri

3) remote ability for the apple TV/other devices (such as in the iphone remote app)

4) better battery

5) no camera.

[Diversion]

What Apple needs to focus on instead of a camera on the nano is bringing Bluetooth into it.. I love the size of the Nano for working out in the gym or running and i'm tired of wearing my 4S on my arm.. it's huge.

And i'm not springing the cash on a iPod Touch.. much too similar to the iPhone itself.

[Westside guy]

They are running out of ideas. It's supposed to be a music player why not give it a better battery than a punny camera?

Why do you choose to let your opinions about a company be influenced by a rumor?

[nzmc36]

Quote:
It's real, and it's a two-month-old prototype that has big problems. It comes with an auto iris lens that can be affected by diffraction and blurring when the iris opening becomes too small in bright conditions. Ok, I gotta say it simply, it takes overexposed photos.

Technically - if the iris opening is too small then the image will be 'under exposed' not overexposed... opening the iris lets in more light and thus over exposure not the other way around. While diffraction and blurring can be an issue with the iris, these are more likely problems with the general optics and minuscule focal length.... just saying..:rolleyes:

[iMikeT]

If Apple does indeed release this outside of the usual release schedule, then I think we'll be seeing 2004-2005 again when Apple was releasing products left and right out of nowhere. Next thing we know, there will be an products released every other month like it was back then.

[ftaok]

Not only that it doesn't make any sense from a sales perspective. Right now the nano is the premier gym music player. Adding a camera immediately shuts down that market as it would certain be added to the "banned devices" list.

I don't think any gym or health club is banning camera equipped devices anymore. Hell, everyone at the gym has a smartphone with a camera anyways.

There are, however, prominent signs in locker rooms banning the use of photo/video devices and that anyone seeing someone using them should imform the front desk.

[ghostlyorb]

How about putting this camera into the front facing camera on iPhones and iPads

[MisterK]

I think that if there's room to put a camera in, then there's room to shrink the thing (bezel at least) and make it even better as a watch. Bluetooth would be aces. I want to be able to have watch widgets for my iPhone/iPod Touch apps.. running would be cool if you could leave the business in your pocket and refer to the watch. Same with answering phone calls from your watch. If it's a camera, I'd love to see a front facing camera.. I'd love to see the Apple commercial where Dick Tracy is Facetiming from his watch.

[Friss]

What a waste. No one will use such a low quality camera.

I do want bluetooth though. Then I will by a nano straight away.
Nano on the wrist together with bluetooth stereo headset while running - Now we talking!

[sebseb81]

FWIW, there was price drop recently on refurbished iPod Nanos... the 8GB is now at $99. Could possibly signal an imminent refresh. When I first saw the price drop, I thought the timing was rather strange, but now with all these rumors...

[codyc815]

FWIW, there was price drop recently on refurbished iPod Nanos... the 8GB is now at $99. Could possibly signal an imminent refresh. When I first saw the price drop, I thought the timing was rather strange, but now with all these rumors...

I thought the 8GB refurb went down to $99 when the regular one went down to $129

[jimi78]

Only question...why? Is this really expected to sell more Nanos? I think not.

Ditch the silly camera idea, and instead build in Bluetooth 4, make it connect to the iPhone in your pocket, and have it show notifications and talk to Siri.

THAT would make for a better Nano watch. Not a 1.3 mp bozo.

/cosign

[sebseb81]

I thought the 8GB refurb went down to $99 when the regular one went down to $129

No, the refurb went down to $109 with the October price drop. Now there is a "special limited time price" of $99.

[marcusj0015]

If it does launch it'll be a footnote with the launch of an iPad or iPhone.

[Rocketman]

Some day the Nano will be the wrist watch form factor voice control iPhone. It will have a camera out the edge not just front or back so it can be infinite focus, zoom still, or HD video.

It will have a head's up display in your glasses and a bone phone listener and talker (earphones and microphone).

Till then, we will be in the stone age.

Rocketman

[gordonyz]

It comes with an auto iris lens that can be affected by diffraction and blurring when the iris opening becomes too small in bright conditions. Ok, I gotta say it simply, it takes overexposed photos.

My iPhone 4S has same issue.

[Dimarco]

Am I the only one that thinks that the picture is a little off? It doesn't seem like the back plate goes with that nano.

[KylePowers]

I agree with the majority - a camera is totally unnecessary and as a nano-watch user, it would serve me absolutely no purpose. If it was on the front, then maybe, but it would be very awkward and possibly tiring attempting to FaceTime on it. It certainly seems futuristic in a sense, but I don't think it's a good idea.

I personally would like to see:
- bluetooth (for bluetooth stereo headphones)
- a thinner and maybe slightly concave design (again, I wear it as a watch)
- Wi-Fi/3G (I'm a heavy Pandora user)
- and a longer battery to boot.
- Maybe some way to interface with an iPhone or iPad would be cool too... notifications right on your wrist.
- Maybe use the nano as a remote shutter release for an iPhone (like if you were taking a group picture and wanted to be in it or something)

Certainly a design challenge to include all the aforementioned (probably impossible with current technology), but it would be insanely awesome.

[saraviamd]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Video or pic taking on a nano is not a well developed feature. I run and I'd like to record some video while using the nike + app but I can't(nano 5th). For example if I'm running a marathon I won't stop to rec some video. So I don't think apple will add a camera to this small nano. Although video playback would be nice.

[saraviamd]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

FWIW, there was price drop recently on refurbished iPod Nanos... the 8GB is now at $99. Could possibly signal an imminent refresh. When I first saw the price drop, I thought the timing was rather strange, but now with all these rumors...

I thought the 8GB refurb went down to $99 when the regular one went down to $129

Nope it went to 109

[Steveo13]

A 1.3 MP camera is not going to give you any good looking photos, so what is the point of taking any? Besides, even non-smart phones come with 3.2 - 5.0 MP cameras now anyways so why wouldn't you just use that? (Assuming they don't own an iPhone)

[b166er]

I don't know- it is just a prototype, according to the article. They may have no intention of releasing it any time soon, or ever, if it's even real.

I'd love to get a nano if they could squeeze a few apps on it or have it connect to the phone for notifications. That would come in handy at work like crazy. I could care less about a camera really but as long as the price doesn't shoot up I wouldn't really care I guess.

[Yamcha]

Yeah would be nice to see iPod Touch upgrades.. And I also miss the 5th generation iPod Nano..

[Grinspoon]

I reluctantly got one of the current generation ipod nanos after my 4th generation died. It simply is not as good. I had a 2 and 3 generation before that. In many ways to 3rd was the best design.

They need to go back closer to those designs, or release something similar as a new product.

As someone that listens to a lot of podcasts and long audio files, skipping ahead or back is atrocious with the touch screen. Being able to double click the lock button to play and pause makes the device usable.

With the touch screen it is also so easy to accidentally hit the wrong thing. Or have it do all sorts of random things navigating around in your pocket if you forget to lock the screen.

As someone who's had a 4 nanos, the number one issue's are control and memory size. Stuff the camera nonsense. They better have at least a 32gb model of this. It still needs some sort of physical manual form of control.

At the very least, at least a scroll button for large tracks. Trying to move your finger along a 15mm bar of a 4 hour track to find the right spot is impossible.

[Shadyriley]

Scratch the camera, just please put Bluetooth 4.0 in it and have it connect to the iPhone to read messages, email and other notifications.

[SvK]

awwww

All these lil things are so cute and fun...

NOW WHERE are the Computers?
Where is the MAc Pro?

where

rrrr

[TheMacBookPro]

Are they going to launch it, saying that it's a revolutionary and magical feature, neglecting the fact that they already had a camera on the 5G nano? :D

Frankly I'd rather have Bluetooth A2DP support, given the whole 'watch' image.

[Mr. Gates]

Let the wrist pictures begin !

[captmatt]

Am I the only one that thinks that the picture is a little off? It doesn't seem like the back plate goes with that nano.

Nope you aren't the only one. That clip does not fit that iPod. The hole and the camera don't line up. Fake, and a bad one too.

[pmz]

Its ok people. Even if they thought about doing this, they've already read this thread and decided...bad idea.

[kalsta]

Or you're at the gym, your phone is in your locker, you're listening to your tunes whilst working out & you need to take a snapshot of the hot ass that just appeared on the treadmill in front of you - discreetly! Who's gonna know you're taking photos when you're flicking the screen of your music player?! I don't use the gym but this particular scenario is transferrable.

This is precisely why they shouldn't put a camera in the Nano. For people who don't want to be accused or suspected of taking photos when they probably shouldn't be (not just gyms and dressing rooms, but also high-security areas) there ought to be a music player they can use. From reading the article, it seems like the universe agrees!

[SvK]

this is what happens when steve jobs has left the building

[Michael383]

Instead of a camera I'd like to see Bluetooth and longer battery life.

[grahamnp]

This device is was irrelevant when it came out and is even more so now. A camera is not going to change that.

I've seen the Classic, Touch and old Nano in use in public (in Melbourne) but I have never seen one of the new Nanos, not a single one. It seems that nowadays you have the Touch as the complete media device for those who don't have an iPad and iPhone and the nano, classic and shuffle for people who just want to listen to music. Seems logical that a return to the more traditional form factor would help the nano to excel at that function. The tiny touchscreen is extremely awful for navigating a music library.

I'd really like a nano in the older block form factor with a huge amount of storage built in and no gimmicks.

[Hattig]

iPod nano totally does not need a camera, it just adds more stuff to potentially go wrong.

Everyone who needs a camera already has either a dedicated camera, an iPhone/camera phone, or an iPod touch.

What next. a point and snap shuffle :)

I guess runners could record their run to watch back in excruciating detail.

But really, what's the point?

[christian_k]

Is it even possible to take a photo that is not blurred by camera shake using a device this small?
What about any other situation but bright sunlight?

Christian

[Artep]

I can't keep track of the Nano unless it's strapped to my wrist. In fact, I can't use it. Who needs a camera on the back of a watch?

[alephnull12]

Camera on the nano?

This is a dumb idea. Would Steve Jobs have nixed it?

[Mad-B-One]

You got that all wrong! That is not the iPod Nano, that is the iPod 007 for spies only! The experiments go back to the year 2009 where the ability to set something on fire (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/22/apple-legal-reportedly-hinders-reporters-investigation-of-ipods-catching-fire/) was tested. Also, integrated into the iPod 007, Nano model, some accidently were sold as normal Nanos and lead to a recall in South Korea (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/09/apple-recalls-first-generation-ipod-nano-in-south-korea/). About a month later, the ability to remotely detonate other iDevices (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/18/apple-digging-into-accounts-of-iphone-explosions-in-europe/) was integrated.

Now the new feature 2011/12:

Camera to track people while being hidden in the bushes (hence a green model) and shooting lazers to cut handcuffs (or barred windows as in James Bond) out of the camera lens. As a side note, this lens is multifunctional. It can also heat up your food, cancel doctor's appointments, and steer the international space station. :cool:

[alephnull12]

Camera on the nano?

This is a dumb idea. Would Steve Jobs have nixed it?

Great. Article says takes crappy photos too. What an upgrade.

[Nitemaster]

It'd be better a Wi-fi connection and/or an improvement in the software. It would be even nicer if we could use a custom picture as wallpaper.

[ubitmeomg]

I guess runners could record their run to watch back in excruciating detail.

But really, what's the point?

There is value in this. I run a short distance daily, between 3 and 5 miles.

In scenario #1, I was hit by a car at an intersection. The driver just drove off. I feel upset sometimes when I think about it, but with a small wearable camera I could have at least snapped a photograph of the plate and reported the hit and run. I wouldn't have felt as powerless.

Scenario #2, I was running in the park and a dog-walker attempted a poop and run. I called her out on it and she raged so hard. She actually waited 15 minutes for me to loop around a 2 mile course so that she could scream at me with raised fists. With a camera I could have recorded this for personal amusement.

[SactoGuy18]

What Apple needs to do is put in a better battery into the 6G nano and extended the playing time per charge to around 32-35 hours from the current 24. If Apple does that, I'm buying one right now. :)

[kaioslider]

I guess runners could record their run to watch back in excruciating detail.

But really, what's the point?

Actually, I am a runner who is looking for a small camera to record some of my runs. I actually bought a 5th gen last year so I could do this, and it worked OK while I held the nano to record bits of video here and there. One of the things I wanted to do was record my whole route, but mounting the device anywhere other than on my head (such as a headband) only yields blurry video, but as small as the 5th gen is, it doesn't really fit a headband well. This rumored 7th gen nano with camera would work out well assuming the image is "at least" as good as on the 5th gen model - though an improvement would be appreciated.

I'd use this video on my blog and much of it would like be cut out. I see a lot on my runs and most of the times it's over before I can get a vid of it. It's not a guaranteed buy for me as there are other things to consider, but I'm definitely interested. Yes, I know the camera isn't great, and yes it'd be nice to have something better, but that just doesn't exist unless you start adding weight and bulk. There is an interest in this and I know I'm not the only one.

All that being said, there would probably be more of a demand for the nano if Apple would build in BT for wireless headphones and iOS integration.

[cooksthebooks]

Think a little bigger here... the camera isn't a camera, it's a sensor. Nanos are frequently used for jogging or worn as a watch or something. That means it can be used to monitor heart rate while jogging and exercising. If it has a camera, it will have some kind of app functionality! So, stop complaining and think of innovative uses.

[Mr. Gates]

The only thing I could see this being used for is Upskirt photos

[jonnysods]

Get a bluetooth adapter into this bad boy.

[twoodcc]

yeah i don't need a camera on my nano, but i would like to see them upgraded

[butterfly0fdoom]

Think a little bigger here... the camera isn't a camera, it's a sensor. Nanos are frequently used for jogging or worn as a watch or something. That means it can be used to monitor heart rate while jogging and exercising. If it has a camera, it will have some kind of app functionality! So, stop complaining and think of innovative uses.

Good point. There's a smartphone app that uses the camera to help detect your hear rate. However, the app needs an LED or some source of light near the camera package to work; if the nano doesn't get an LED light/flash, then the potential to use the camera to monitor heart rate kinda... fizzles.

[thegreati]

I guess they are running outta ideas. When all else fails, put a camera on it.

[robertosh]

wifi for icloud support will be great!

[leisenstein]

Ipod Nano is screaming for Bluetooth.

Then, (true to form), Apple could sell a pair of bluetooth earbuds that work well and are comfortable (for $50).

[xinu]

IMO the iPod Nano 5th (?) genearation with videocam was the best of these mp3 players. This latest one is too small for my taste.

They should do iPhone Mini and it could be same size and form as iPod 5th gen was. Probably they are doing it already.

[dbattle]

Please just give it bluetooth capability. That's all I ask, I'm all over it then.

[kaielement]

I will keep my 6g nano thank you very much no camera needed. The nano is prefect the way it is thank you.