News
Analyst: New iPod nano due Q4 with magnesium casing
American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu believes we won’t see the next generation iPod nano until sometime this Fall, and that the new model may sport a new magnesium-based enclosure. Wu says the new nano is facing transition issues due to a move to an SOC (system-on-a-chip) architecture. “In terms of timing, we continue to believe calendar Q4 is most likely, specifically October and at the earliest, late Q3, meaning the 2H of September,” he says. Corroborating a similar report earlier today, Wu says the new nanos may sport a new magnesium-based casing. “We believe this new casing will improve scratch-resistance, durability, and help lower Apple’s support and warranty costs,” he says.
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1
That’s funny! They make them easy to scratch to sell cases to make more money and then lose by all the support and warenty costs! LOL
Posted by Jonathan Keim on July 10, 2006 at 8:13 AM (PDT)
2
I strongly doubt that Apple intentionally made the Nano easy to scratch to make money selling cases. The vast majority of that market belongs to other companies. Too bad for them if the cases become “unnecessary.” OTOH, a lot of people bought cases for their minis—it’s a fashion thing.
Posted by sallenmd on July 10, 2006 at 9:39 AM (PDT)
3
While the acrylic iPods look nice it never lasts unless you’re really really careful to the point of paranoia with them. Mag iPods will be a lot tougher, whether they will be as asthetically pleasing remains to be seen but I’m still glad to see Apple considering something a bit tougher.
Posted by phennphawcks on July 10, 2006 at 9:58 AM (PDT)
4
hmm, i wonder what’s better, aluminium
(http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/next-ipod-nano-to-sport-aluminum-enclosure/)
or magnesium?
i’m not an expert on that so could someone explain to me?
Posted by formatc1702 on July 10, 2006 at 10:47 AM (PDT)
5
sallenmd, yes the majority of cases are made by other manufacturers, but consider that on many other accessories (though not necessarily cases) companies pay apple for Made for iPod certification, so there certainly is an economic relationship between Apple and the accessory business. Personally, I think that the acrylic is a better look for the nano than magnesium (of course we will have to wait to see) and I think they should just use technology similar to the plastic on the iSkin Claro case to make it scratch-proof.
Posted by catboy17 on July 10, 2006 at 11:22 AM (PDT)
6
Talking iPod is it true or a rumor?
http://www.infosrama.com/digitalseeker/2006/07/apple-innovation-talking-ipod.html
Posted by grery on July 10, 2006 at 12:00 PM (PDT)
7
Re: grey. yes thats what need, people walkin down the street screaming at their ipods, as bluetooth headsets arent stupid enough.
Posted by slayer on July 10, 2006 at 12:35 PM (PDT)
8
Creative sold a magnesium-cased player (Nomad II MG) and it scratches just as easily as any current iPod.
Posted by Ric Romero on July 10, 2006 at 1:30 PM (PDT)
9
Apple had better be careful to get their new iPod designs out by September to avoid a repeat of the problems last Christmas. Customers lose their enthusiasm for a new iPod when they discover there are zero accessories available for it. I worked for a store that didn’t have a single case for the 5th gen iPod until mid December. None of the other shops in town including big places like Best Buy had any cases until January and it was early February before we all had a decent selection. In addition a lot of potential upgrade customers were upset to learn that their voice recorder, iTrip and other top mounted accessories were no longer compatible.
Posted by Clarus on July 10, 2006 at 3:49 PM (PDT)