Redesigned iPod nano in Fall?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Appleinsider reports (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1697) that Apple has begun plans for a redesign of an iPod nano due this fall.

The new Nano is expected around September but there are plans for a "significant internal redesign".

This plan is consistent with PortalPlayer's recent announcement (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/04/20060420040143.shtml) that their chips would not be used in future flash based iPods.

[Shamus]

"Significant Internal Redesign". Does this mean same external form factor?
Hopefully this rumor proves to be true, I have been holding off buying a nano till they are updated. :)

[shadowmoses]

I can't see what they can do with the Nano externally, unless they make the screen bigger. This would make sense though seeing as Apple have ditched Portal Player,

ShadoW

[Veldek]

I wonder what these significant redesigns could be good for. Does the new chip allow other components to become better, e.g. better battery life or greater capacity?

[bigandy]

i'm thinking the form factor will stay the same as it's the first significant update.

battery life will probably stay the same, while capacity will increase.

the major internal shake up is probably removing the PP chip, and including a custom designed system on chip, which could, in the future, run any ipod - to save costs.

[this is funah]

8 and 10GB maybe?

(second thoughts) meh, but theyre selling well enough as it is.

[Kardashian]

I love Nanos. Okay, the screen kind of puts me off a bit, and I find the length of it, I dunno, it seems too 'long' - stretched almost.

But the fact its an iPod, and its so thin.. well I want one :)

But, 2GB is nowhere near enough for me, 4GB isn't either.. although I am trying to justify it - but then when I think I had my 30GB Video for like £30 more, I can't justify it.

But, if I could get a 8GB (min.).. or an ideal 10GB.. I would definatley buy.

PS: Steve, a tiny bit bigger screen, please, Sir! :)

[ccool2ax]

Apple's going to shrink the battery's physical size, but keep the Nano the same size so that they have room for a few more millimeters of unscratchable plastic. Please?

Also, maybe they'll make a detachable clickwheel for added mobility so that remote users can stuff half a nano down their pocket.

[backupdrummer]

HD upgrade along with the addition of video. Then the iPod gets its big upgrade to a more feature rich "pro" iPod.

[kozmic stu]

I know it's been done to death and I'm not entirely sure I even like the idea, but doesn't "significant internal redesign" spark the image of putting a mobile phone inside a nano? I know I'd prefer to have a phone that was a phone (Steve Jobs paraphrase: 'Each element of the design should be true to itself') But there is always the possibility that this is the reasoning behind the move away from PortalPlayer AND the (rumoured) redesign of the nano?

Just a thought

Stu

[Yvan256]

[...] the major internal shake up is probably removing the PP chip, and including a custom designed system on chip, which could, in the future, run any ipod - to save costs.

Standard iPod chip with audio/video playback capabilities... I'm guessing 8GB/12GB iPod nano with video playback.

[MacSA]

I'd rather they did something with the rather poor battery life iPods have before changing anything else.

[peharri]

I'll be happy with just 8G and more battery life. Actually, truth be told, I'd be happy with 8G, it just seems unfortunate that the battery life is so low for a device with no moving parts.

They could even downgrade certain aspects of it and I'd be happy. More battery life in exchange for a iPod 1G/2G/3G monochrome screen? That'd suit me! Unfortunately, I don't see that on the horizon as I suspect the marketing people would freak at the idea of something that's always had a colour screen switching to black and white. That's assuming it'd save battery life at all.

In addition to better battery life I'd like, but can live without, bluetooth (or some other wireless) support. Two reasons:


I'm sure my iPod would be more frequently updated if I don't have to rummage around for cables.
I'd like something that replaces my car stereo with a set of iPod controls that "just works" whenever I'm in range, so I don't need to wire it up to the stereo every time I get in the car. That'd be a killer device especially if it also included mobile phone handsfree support.


You might argue I'm lazy. That's true. But if I wasn't lazy, I wouldn't have an iPod, right? I'd save the money and buy a $50 256Mb player which can easily contain a day's worth of music, and just spend five minutes every morning loading it up.

Finally, Ogg Vorbis support would be great.

Anyway, those are nice to haves. The real thing that's stopping me getting a nano is capacity. If they can just get it to 8G, I'll put one on my wishlist.

[twoodcc]

i hope that it's more space.

[Ish]

I love Nanos. Okay, the screen kind of puts me off a bit, and I find the length of it, I dunno, it seems too 'long' - stretched almost.

That's funny, I have a nano and when I see the bigger ipods they seem a bit, well, 'square'! :)

But, if I could get a 8GB (min.).. or an ideal 10GB.. I would definatley buy.

I've just reached the point where I have to be selective about what I put on my 4GB one. Yes, that size sounds perfect to me too! Unless I could get a reasonable deal on selling mine though, it would have to be after this one wears out. No idea what it would be worth or how long they last. Guess they haven't been out long enough to know yet.

[boncellis]

The increase in storage for flash drives is certainly promising--I wouldn't be surprised to see all iPods converted to flash memory in the not too distant future.

I'm glad Apple is working on the Nano. I don't know if I would ever have use for one, unless the capacity is significantly upgraded, but it makes a nice gift. The article makes it sound (to me) like there's something more to the redesign...internal FM transmitter maybe? ;)

[Doctor Q]

"Significant Internal Redesign". Does this mean same external form factor?I'd guess no. If they changed the form factor in a significant way they'd probably stop calling it the nano.

[supremedesigner]

I love Nanos. Okay, the screen kind of puts me off a bit, and I find the length of it, I dunno, it seems too 'long' - stretched almost.

But the fact its an iPod, and its so thin.. well I want one :)

But, 2GB is nowhere near enough for me, 4GB isn't either.. although I am trying to justify it - but then when I think I had my 30GB Video for like £30 more, I can't justify it.

But, if I could get a 8GB (min.).. or an ideal 10GB.. I would definatley buy.

PS: Steve, a tiny bit bigger screen, please, Sir! :)

Why not:

Nano - 40GB

vPod - 120+GB (because of movies)

That would be freakin' awesome! I hate limited capacity so much!

[kneeslasher]

The only thing putting me off buying any iPod, but most especially the Nano is the lack of one feature: transcode or down sample on the fly when synchronising iTunes to the iPod.

For those of us keeping our music in lossless on iTunes, the iPod/iTunes integration becomes non-existant since no iPod can carry that amount of music and even if it could, it would kill the battery. The only solution is to transcode when putting stuff on the iPod, which right now has to be done manually, killing the joy of the iTunes/iPod experience. The Shuffle actually has this ability! God knows why the rest of the iPod line (especially the Nano) don't have the feature!

[bigandy]

HD upgrade along with the addition of video. Then the iPod gets its big upgrade to a more feature rich "pro" iPod.

yeah right, nano with HD? on a 1.5" screen? i hope you mean normal ipod, like the rumored ones...

[boncellis]

I'd guess no. If they changed the form factor in a significant way they'd probably stop calling it the nano.

Have I told you you're awesome yet today, Doctor Q?

I think you're right, but they could come out with something new with the Nano taking the low end spot of the Shuffle. I don't pretend to know what it would be, but I think the Nano was the last "new" thing that Apple came out with. They've been so busy updating their line, with good reason, but when will Apple blow us away with something completely new?

Maybe I'm asking for too much too soon.

[Mitch1984]

maybe the internal redesign is so they can make more room for video capabilities.

I want an iPod HiFi but am waiting to see if they do one that streams wirelessly via airport??

[javierbds]

IMHO, the form factor of the nano is the form factor for the iPhone ... :p
I would not enjoy video in such a little screen unless it was 'real time' video, but what do I know, it seems teens enjoy their minivideos on mobile phones ... Maybe because there is nothing better ...

[Mitch1984]

IMHO, the form factor of the nano is the form factor for the iPhone ... :p
I would not enjoy video in such a little screen unless it was 'real time' video, but what do I know, it seems teens enjoy their minivideos on mobile phones ... Maybe because there is nothing better ...

I think an iPod would look a bit less iconic with a number pad on a phone, which is why I believe an iPhone would utilize Apples plans for the next video iPod and have a touch dial.

[Diatribe]

The only thing putting me off buying any iPod, but most especially the Nano is the lack of one feature: transcode or down sample on the fly when synchronising iTunes to the iPod.

For those of us keeping our music in lossless on iTunes, the iPod/iTunes integration becomes non-existant since no iPod can carry that amount of music and even if it could, it would kill the battery. The only solution is to transcode when putting stuff on the iPod, which right now has to be done manually, killing the joy of the iTunes/iPod experience. The Shuffle actually has this ability! God knows why the rest of the iPod line (especially the Nano) don't have the feature!

Yes, just write a mail to Apple. Maybe they'll listen when other people besides me start bothering them too.

[Proud Liberal]

I think you're right, but they could come out with something new with the Nano taking the low end spot of the Shuffle. I don't pretend to know what it would be, but I think the Nano was the last "new" thing that Apple came out with. They've been so busy updating their line, with good reason, but when will Apple blow us away with something completely new?

I just came across this article while I was doing some stock research...
http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/funds/realmoneyradiowrap/10281432_2.html

It indicates, in the paragraphs discussing AAPL, that there are 4 new iPods forthcoming - whatever that means! :D

[ccrandall77]

The only thing putting me off buying any iPod, but most especially the Nano is the lack of one feature: transcode or down sample on the fly when synchronising iTunes to the iPod.

For those of us keeping our music in lossless on iTunes, the iPod/iTunes integration becomes non-existant since no iPod can carry that amount of music and even if it could, it would kill the battery. The only solution is to transcode when putting stuff on the iPod, which right now has to be done manually, killing the joy of the iTunes/iPod experience. The Shuffle actually has this ability! God knows why the rest of the iPod line (especially the Nano) don't have the feature!

You could probably accomplish this with a home-grown AppleScript. However, I think it would be REALLY slow.

My lib is just under 20GB and I have a 4GB Nano. Of those 20GB, I probably only really like maybe 3.5GB of the music. So, I created a handful of playlists, and then copied those songs to another directory and reencoded them from lossless to AAC-128kbps. Then I just flipped the link to my iTunes directory and did a sync. Ya, it's a pain, but once it's set up it's not too bad. It could probably be automated as well and I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already come up with SW to do this.

[thejadedmonkey]

I know it's been done to death and I'm not entirely sure I even like the idea, but doesn't "significant internal redesign" spark the image of putting a mobile phone inside a nano? I know I'd prefer to have a phone that was a phone (Steve Jobs paraphrase: 'Each element of the design should be true to itself') But there is always the possibility that this is the reasoning behind the move away from PortalPlayer AND the (rumoured) redesign of the nano?

Just a thought

Stu
That would leave us with an iPod and an iPhone. No nano, no shuffle. I like that idea, I always wondered why there was the iPod, iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod photo, iPod with video, iPod mini, etc. Now there can be an iPod. It would be redesigned at a 10gig, 30 gig, and 80gig for $200, $300, and $400. They would function the same, have about the same bettery life, but the $10 gig would use flash memory and looks smaller. Maybe keep the iPod nano to replace the shuffle, with a slight redesign so it's better for the gym (ie has rubber grips on it).

I can't wait for an iPhone though. maybe it can have the specs of the current nanos....

[whee900]

Probably 8-10 gig flash memory, and video playback. Wonder how they'll fit that in the form factor, though. The case can't become bigger, so they're confined. The rumors point to an internal redesign; i.e. no bigger case.

[Philberttheduck]

Probably 8-10 gig flash memory, and video playback. Wonder how they'll fit that in the form factor, though. The case can't become bigger, so they're confined. The rumors point to an internal redesign; i.e. no bigger case.

lets hope you're right. a bigger case without video would pretty much piss me off (not that i'd get it). a video on a slightly bigger case.. hmmmmmm.. nah.

dammit when them video ipods going to start poppin up!?

[dguisinger]

I think an iPod would look a bit less iconic with a number pad on a phone, which is why I believe an iPhone would utilize Apples plans for the next video iPod and have a touch dial.

Or they could do rotary "button" dial on the wheel, where the numbers are only visible (using OLED or something) when you are in phone mode. That way it doesnt look like a phone until you use it as one.......

[gman71882]

BY then ill be ready to try my own Ipod NANO UPGRADE:

8GB Nano Upgrade (http://www.multiarcade.com/)

[octoberdeath]

ya hopefully they will redisgn it like the older iPod Mini but with a larger screen! those were the best designed iPods i think apple has ever released. brushed aluminum...oh so nice!

[PJJames]

Im hoping to see bluetooth on the newew iPods. Possibley Front Row....built in iSight with Photo Booth.

[octoberdeath]

Im hoping to see bluetooth on the newew iPods. Possibley Front Row....built in iSight with Photo Booth.


wow your hoping for a whole lot. that would be cool though to be able to take pictures and all. bluetooth should be something i think they should go with though as well, like you said. we could update contacts, calender, music, and what would be cool is if we could update with mini games all while sitting across the room! buy them off iTunes for a small fee.

[G5power]

MicroCenter has been running a special for $25 off of both the 2 & 4 GB Nano.
http://www.microcenter.com/

The previous time Microcenter had a special on Apple hardware was a package including LCD with the G4 mini before it was discontinued for the Intel version. I assume that this indicates that the Nano is on the way out to be replaced by new versions.

Like previous posters, I would love to see the capacity at least double. I would like to get an iPod to use in my car (through an input cable into my stereo) and would prefer to not have an iPod with a hard drive.

[alienex]

Id like to see better battery life and GASP a thinner nano?!?!?!?!?!
Why cause it would be cooler. Its fine the way it is though for now...i would guess they would try to make it possible to watch videos on it comfortably.

[DanBook]

As I understand it, Samsung currently supplies Apple with the flash memory it uses in the nano. Right now they're using one or two 1 GB NAND chips or one 4 GB chip, depending on the configuration.

According to

http://samsung.com/Products/Semiconductor/NANDFlash/index.htm

Samsung's NAND non-volatile memory has already achieved 8 GB. The only questions that remain are whether it's cheap enough, and whether Apple can fit it inside the nano while maintaining the same form factor. If the answers to these questions are yes, then we can probably expect 8 and 16 GB versions this fall.

[myshoeshurt]

I love my Nano... the look and feel is great. I imagine the storage capacity will increase greatly.

[celebrian23]

I would love an 8 or 16 GB nano. Right now, if I want the newest model, I jump from 4GB to 30GB. 4 is too small. 30 is way too large. I miss the days of 10 and 15GB ipods. Until they find a more "inbetween" size, I won't buy an ipod