iPod Nano Details, and Full Touchscreen iPod?

[stainlessliquid]

No way is this true. The album thumbnails in the song lists would be microscopic on a nano. It was obviously designed for the regular ipod.

 

[3282872]

Okay, so this is really getting me worried..... The iTouch (fully touch screen) iPod is a bad idea, at least for me. I purchased my iPhone on day 1, then attempted to swap the 80GB ipod in my car. Guess what? I still have to use 2 machines. The touch screen interface is downright dangerous while driving. With my iPod, if my album ends, I can always just feel for the click wheel quite easily to get it to play something, without hindering my driving at all. The touch screen on my iPhone requires you to look at it waaaaay too much. Unlock/slide/press iPod button/select artist...... and so on. After 2 days of silent road trips, my 80GB was back.

Now, if the supposed iTouch included some buttons (i think 3 would suffice, play/pause, forward, backward) that would get my AmEx flying outta my wallet!

I know a few car makers are already trying to offer full iPhone/iPod integration, and control through the factory stereo. This makes all the difference, however it in not at all widely used. Most car makers are only including a dedicated line-in jack that will take a connection from anything, still commanding that you must use the control on the iPod itself.

Although I absolutely adore my iPhone, and wouldn't dream of parting with it, it is still not the replace-all product for me. Mainly because of the touchscreen-only controls while driving, and the difficult (heavy) wearability while working out/running. Subsequently, I rely on three iDevices.

If the next gen iPod is touch screen only, I will have to pass.... even though I'll want one, LOL!

I couldn't agree more. I went through the exact same thing, tried using my iPhone in my car in place of my black 80 GB iPod and it was dangerous. I did get it to stay on without unlocking it, as the main connection through my system is a 30 pin standard iPod dock connector, which charges the iPhone and keeps the screen on while playing. However, trying to change songs or use it requires too much concentration and dexterity, which is obviously a danger while driving.

 

[gloss]

I couldn't agree more. I went through the exact same thing, tried using my iPhone in my car in place of my black 80 GB iPod and it was dangerous. I did get it to stay on without unlocking it, as the main connection through my system is a 30 pin standard iPod dock connector, which charges the iPhone and keeps the screen on while playing. However, trying to change songs or use it requires too much concentration and dexterity, which is obviously a danger while driving.

I guess this would be an issue. I control my iPod via the head unit, so it doesn't matter to me, but it's still a potential problem.

 

[Cavemate K]

Fiddling around with ANY iPod while driving is dangerous (just like radios, cellphones, etc.). Best to pick a playlist, stick with it, then start up the car and drive.

As far as clickwheels being better to use in terms of looking for songs to change, they're only better than touch screens if you don't have a lot of folders to choose from. If you have a dozen or more playlists, scrolling down to the right one is pretty tough without looking to make sure.

 

[Cavemate K]

Oh, yeah, and... didn't Apple apply for a patent on a virtual clickwheel a while back? Maybe (and hopefully you've heard it here first!) the new touch screen iPods will give users the option to choose on the same device either an iPhone interface or a virtual clickwheel interface similar to the ones being used now.

 

[alansky]

A Photoshop job, pure and simple. Not even a very clever one. Not to mention that making the next-gen video iPod smaller instead of making the screen bigger would be unbelievably dumb. Ditto for turning the sleek Nano form factor into a chunky miniature version of the full-size iPod.

 

[Wolfpup]

I'm glad the iPhone at least has hardware volume buttons, but I would hate losing hardware play/pause buttons. I *HATED* my 3G iPod's all-touch interface. Hated that thing with a passion.

Just adding a few more buttons might make all the difference.

To get around the car issue, I have a smart playlist that collects all my unplayed podcasts. That's usually good enough, so I can control it just with the volume and play/pause controls.

 

[Wolfpup]

A Photoshop job, pure and simple. Not even a very clever one. Not to mention that making the next-gen video iPod smaller instead of making the screen bigger would be unbelievably dumb. Ditto for turning the sleek Nano form factor into a chunky miniature version of the full-size iPod.

We know it's a photoshop job, the article says it's a mock up.

 

[corywoolf]

So it's been about two years since the 5g iPod was released. There is speculation on a release date of August 7. Now new nano rumors and touch screen iPod. Here's what I think will happen:

The new iMacs will come out August 7 along with iLife and iWork '08 (since 2007 is halfway over) and a new iPod. With touch-screen. Name? iPod Touch. This is the name that would piss HTC off. Then, after the back to school promotion is over, the new Nano's will be released. The will be shorter and have wide screens to watch videos. They'll probably be red, orange, blue, green, and black. They would be metal thus giving a "Macbooky" look. There's no way in hell that the Nano's would be updated before the full size iPods. They've only been out for a year while the full-size have been out for MUCH MUCH MUCH longer. This is just speculation, but I believe this is how the next couple of months will unfold.

Actually no, the nano and iPod were closely updated. Remember the 60 GB went to 80 GB and they gained gapless playback, search feature, cool games, etc. The nano switched to look more like mini and gained different colors. I agree that the iPod will get an update before the nano though. I highly doubt Apple will change the form factor of the nano much. Eh, this is a really crappy mock up I whipped together, it's what I picture.

 

[L3X]

First of all...down with the FCC. Why is the Gov telling us what kind of electronic devices we can/can't use. Get rid of 'em...

Second of all, don't knock the "new" nano until you see it. Apple products always look better in person.

If this is all true, 9to5 gets some props in my book.

 

[theBB]

Although I absolutely adore my iPhone, and wouldn't dream of parting with it, it is still not the replace-all product for me. Mainly because of the touchscreen-only controls while driving, and the difficult (heavy) wearability while working out/running. Subsequently, I rely on three iDevices.

You are a dream customer.

 

[Wolfpup]

First of all...down with the FCC. Why is the Gov telling us what kind of electronic devices we can/can't use. Get rid of 'em...

Whaaaat?!? Are you referring to the approval process for wireless stuff? I seriously doubt the FCC is as strenuous as they should be. WITHOUT them we'd all be getting cancer from dangerous radio products and having all our devices conflict with each other and block out other broadcasts.

 

[aswitcher]

Looks like a good deal to me. I hope they do Black.

GB video in an ultraportable pocket sized device is a good deal - although I wonder about the Nike stuff. They should just give this thing BT and the Nike remote the same so it works well and hackers can make it do all sorts of other things. Even better if they threw in GPS - maybe next year I guess.

 

[gloss]

I find it hilarious that the guy on 9to5mac edits and censors comments.

I posted:

HTC Touch. iPod Touch. Makes sense.

Also:

Smaller and 'saucier' than Nano? Pico!

it was posted as:

HTC Advantage. iPod Advantage. Makes sense.

Also:

Smaller and 'saucier' than Nano? Micro!

Nice.

 

[3282872]

Fiddling around with ANY iPod while driving is dangerous (just like radios, cellphones, etc.). Best to pick a playlist, stick with it, then start up the car and drive.

As far as clickwheels being better to use in terms of looking for songs to change, they're only better than touch screens if you don't have a lot of folders to choose from. If you have a dozen or more playlists, scrolling down to the right one is pretty tough without looking to make sure.

I agree, however I have one playlist on my iPod that I only use for the road. So, when I want to change a song, I don't need to take my eyes off the road, just click the forward button. The tactile feel and sound tell me that the song is changing, which the iPhone lacks. Plus, you have to be very specific as to where and how you touch the iPhone screen to get it to work.

 

[Hairball]

Looks like a good deal to me. I hope they do Black.

GB video in an ultraportable pocket sized device is a good deal - although I wonder about the Nike stuff. They should just give this thing BT and the Nike remote the same so it works well and hackers can make it do all sorts of other things. Even better if they threw in GPS - maybe next year I guess.

I'm actually hoping for an orange Nano.

 

[jackc]

I wish it was true, but August 7 seems pretty unlikely.

 

[Clive At Five]

Smaller and 'saucier' than Nano? Micro!

No. Not even close to true.

Deci = 10^-1
Centi = 10^-2
Milli = 10^-3
Micro = 10^-6
Nano = 10^-9
Pico = 10^-12
Femto = 10^-15
Atto = 10^-18
Zepto = 10^-21
Yocto = 10^-24

"Micro" is a thousand times bigger than "Nano."

Personally, I like iPod Pico.

-Clive

 

[-kritter-]

"I want proof, not leads"

 

[gloss]

No. Not even close to true.

Deci = 10^-1
Centi = 10^-2
Milli = 10^-3
Micro = 10^-6
Nano = 10^-9
Pico = 10^-12
Femto = 10^-15
Atto = 10^-18
Zepto = 10^-21
Yocto = 10^-24

"Micro" is a thousand times bigger than "Nano."

Personally, I like iPod Pico.

-Clive

Yeah. He removed the 'correct' answers and replaced them with nonsense. Dunno why, honestly.

Pico is most definitely what he was getting at ('saucy' = Pico de Gallo, for the less gastronomically inclined here).

 

[looking4anotebo]

Actually no, the nano and iPod were closely updated. Remember the 60 GB went to 80 GB and they gained gapless playback, search feature, cool games, etc. The nano switched to look more like mini and gained different colors. I agree that the iPod will get an update before the nano though. I highly doubt Apple will change the form factor of the nano much. Eh, this is a really crappy mock up I whipped together, it's what I picture.

I think this concept makes the most sense. That is what I was picturing as well.

Who knows what Apple will do, but I think the best bet is on new imacs and probably ilife next week, then new nanos and ipods in the fall.

 

[RadioStar]

Yeah. He removed the 'correct' answers and replaced them with nonsense. Dunno why, honestly.

Pico is most definitely what he was getting at ('saucy' = Pico de Gallo, for the less gastronomically inclined here).

What if you got them right and he's just trying to avoid the C&D?

 

[corywoolf]

So has MWNY been reborn on August 7th or what? There seems to be a lot of expectations on product updates around that time.

iMac
iWork '08
iLife '08
iPod touch
iPod nano
iTunes
iPhone updates

If August 7 delivers any one of these it would be great, but wow, talk about refreshing the 'i' products.

iMac in August
iWork '08 in August
iLife '08 in August
iPod touch in October
iPod nano in October
iTunes 7.4 in October
iPhone updates in January MWSF

 

[izzle22]

iMac in August
iWork '08 in August
iLife '08 in August
iPod touch in October
iPod nano in October
iTunes 7.4 in October
iPhone updates in January MWSF

I'm pretty sure he meant software updates on the iPhone and that should be loooooooong before January MWSF

 

[coolego1]

In response to the "Apple has to update the iPod before the Nano":

The Nano came out before the iPod 5G back in 2005... I told a friend of mine who was thinking about an iPod to wait back in August, and he ended up buying a 4G, thinking that the Nano was the new iPod when it came out. I waited another month and got a 5G .