Photo of the 4th Generation iPod Nano?

[MacRumors]

Alibaba, a B2B marketplace, has a photo (via Zollotech) of what appears to be the 4th generation iPod Nano that is expected to be released next week.

We can't be for sure if this represents a photo of the actual device, or simply a mockup based on circulating dimensions, but it does show what appears to be a dock connector on the bottom of the device.

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[Markleshark]

I think that is undoubtedly what we are going to get.

It's not pretty though. Not particularly ugly, just not pretty. Mind you, I do like the form factor with the whole thing having a curve.

Also, FWIW, should the title not read 'Photo of the 4th Generation iPod Nano?'

[strikeinsilence]

Just looks like a 3rd gen nano that needs to go on a diet. How boring.

[JG271]

Looks like a mockup to me. The click wheel seems to be indented quite a lot and the click wheel is also out of proportion with the dock connector and headphone jack. Either that or this is going to be a large ipod nano!

[ezekielrage_99]

Originally Posted by Markleshark

I think that is undoubtedly what we are going to get.

It's not pretty though. Not particularly ugly, just not pretty. Mind you, I do like the form factor with the whole thing having a curve.

Also, FWIW, should the title not read 'Photo of the 4th Generation iPod Nano?'

I think that's a good call, and I really do think they look cool even if they look like the Gen 2 iPod Nanos.

[Amoeba]

Looks pretty cool, nothing exceptional though. Still love the 1st gen nano

[strikeinsilence]

Originally Posted by JG271

Looks like a mockup to me. The click wheel seems to be indented quite a lot and the click wheel is also out of proportion with the dock connector and headphone jack. Either that or this is going to be a large ipod nano!

Seriously, looks like a remote control. BTW I meant 2G nano, not 3. There's nothing wrong with having it look like the old nano, but then where's the innovation? It better be in the software.

[DoFoT9]

that thing is one of the most ugliest apple designs ive ever seen!!!

surely they wouldnt use an old design!!! surely!!!

[Markleshark]

Originally Posted by ezekielrage_99

I think that's a good call, and I really do think they look cool even if they look like the Gen 2 iPod Nanos.

I don't see a problem with the resemblance to the older models, I don't think there is a great deal more they can do with them really. They will sell well, as iPods always do.

I do however find it interesting that they would go back to the taller form factor after having changed it to short and fat. I think tall and thin sits better in your pocket. Personally I think I prefer the current model.

[Spizzo]

I like that look. It looks a little awkward at first, but I'd buy it.

[antielectrons]

Yuck. Looks like my air conditioning remote control....

[Brianstorm91]

I must admit I prefer the current one.

[drummerlondonw3]

Originally Posted by DoFoT9

that thing is one of the most ugliest apple designs ive ever seen!!!

surely they wouldnt use an old design!!! surely!!!

i dont think its necessarily re-using an old design. When you get to the size of the nano you are limited by the features you want to put in rather than the design 'statement'

also- does it look like the screen is flat an the body is curved??

d

[Markleshark]

You know, the more I think about it the more I'm surprised they have moved the screen back to portrait mode. Unless... Basic sideways movement Accelerometer anyone?

Either that or it's possible that the Nano is loosing it's video. I wouldn't be too surprised about that either mind, It's a bit small for decent video viewing.

Also, Chris Stroud below me could be right. I guess we'll know soon enough.

[Chris Stroud]

Maybe we're wrong though? I think that this and other images we've seen are mockups because if you think about it, when the images of the current iPod Nano showed up, Apple Legal flipped it's ****. They don't seem to care about a weeks worth of pictures and mockups. This is why I think we are in for a bigger surprise than you think.

[DoFoT9]

Originally Posted by drummerlondonw3

i dont think its necessarily re-using an old design. When you get to the size of the nano you are limited by the features you want to put in rather than the design 'statement'

also- does it look like the screen is flat an the body is curved??

d

its a re-design.. all they have done is made it round and lengthened the screen.. the rest looks the same!

[MrCrowbar]

THe click wheel appears to lay flat in the curved chassis. Looks a little weird to me. On the other ide, a curved clickwheelt might be akward to us.

Looks like the lock switch got moved to the top again. The one on the fatty nano is very badly positioned and almost impossible to operate when holding the device normally.

I tend to believe the fatty was more like "looks, we can make it this small" and then go back to a more ergonomic shape.

[lifeinhd]

Whatever happened to rainbow colors????

[applelover91k]

I hope it looks sort of like that, but I am worried about the curvyness of it. I have the original iPod Mini, and it's very fat, and the sides are curved, but the screen isn't. I just hope it's amazing. I can't wait till September 9th to see! I want to buy one!

[champ01]

hmm don't like the look of this ipod nano also the curve is not my thing
i think apple is taking a step back if this is the design they are going for

why the wheel when touchscreen and one button is so much better (ipod touch and iphone backing this up)
was hoping the ipod classic to be just one button and a touchscreen also

oh yeah one more thing

please give us the itablet
the apps on itunes are so great (beatmaker and idrum being my favorites) and with a bigger screen i see mayor possibilities
i think loads of people are gonna buy one

[icepick1985]

WHY, oh tell me WHY do we need ANOTHER ipod revision? Isn't the current line up perfectly fine (except prices and capacity)?

What about the Macbook Pro!? That's what needs all the attention!

[O. Frabjous-Dey]

I don't like it, but it might be easier to hold this way.

[Tom B.]

Originally Posted by MrCrowbar

Looks like the lock switch got moved to the top again. The one on the fatty nano is very badly positioned and almost impossible to operate when holding the device normally.

I would have hoped that the hold switch would stay on the bottom because it is far more useful and easy to use there, when the iPod is in your pocket, which is where it should be most of the time. But, I do believe these pictures, so it appears that it will not be.

What I want to know is, if Apple give the nano a wider screen, will they leave the classic with a worse screen?

[colourclassic]

What's going to happen to all the current iPod games? I'm pretty sure they wont work on a screen with that aspect ratio.

[aharon]

I never really had an interest in a nano until the 3rd gen. It certainly was a case of "looks can be deceiving". After buying one, the form factor of the 3g proved great for outdoor activity. Apple really nailed that design. Going back to a taller form factor is a bit baffling to me, but I guess I'll hold my judgement until I actually hold one.