6th Gen nano to Lose Click Wheel?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

An analyst's report of a redesigned iPod nano without the click wheel seems to be bolstered by photos on a Chinese site showing cases for a much smaller sixth-generation nano. Shaw Wu, an investment analyst with Kaufmann Bros, is claiming that his sources are telling him that Apple has procured parts for a "radically redesigned" nano, which would be announced at next Wednesday's event.

The iPod nano was upgraded last year to include an integrated video camera with special effects, microphone, an a built-in FM radio with iTunes tagging and a slightly larger 1.5" color LCD screen. The idea of a nano without the iconic click wheel leaves open the question of how it would be controlled. One possibility, of course, would be a small touchscreen: perhaps the one that turned up last July, though, as Michael noted at the time, the screen wouldn't fit in the currently-shipping iPod nano.

Interestingly, photos on a Chinese site claim to show cases for the new iPod touch and iPod nano, with the nano case indicating the new device will have a square form factor, which would work with the tiny touchscreen. The source for the cases is said to be the Chinese manufacturer X-Doria, which may have had advance information about the new design in order to make its products. And as we've learned from recent events, East Asian accessory manufacturers often have the best inside intelligence money can buy.

Source: MacRumors

[Thelongamer]

that's pretty cool. although i've always been a big fan of the click wheel

[The Maestro]

I thought apple stopped giving dimensions and details to case makers after the iPhone 4

[bewie]

That kind of defeats the whole purpose of the name "iPod Touch"...

[macsoldier]

People hate change...

[Evilsaint]

That kind of defeats the whole purpose of the name "iPod Touch"...

U have a point there plus having the 5th gen nano I sorta like the wheel it's nice when I take it for a jog or a skate

[awesomeo4000]

It doesn't make sense to me that they'd make it a square 1.5 inch screen, won't that ruin video playback? is there any chance that this could be an ipod shuffle? It just seems a bit illogical to put such a tiny screen on a device which has had video playing as a feature for 3 years.

[Cer0]

They had 1.5 in on the iPod nano before then just barely bumped it up to the 2.2 in. So not a big deal as it is already a tiny screen.

[iTouch-Warrior]

The way I see it they'll end up making an "iPod Touch Nano"...? It'd be nice to see something like than happen. I own a first gen 4GB nano and I never bought another nano. I guess a micro iTouch would be nice to have.

[Cer0]

I have a 1st gen nano also and it just broke last week. So I am waiting for next week to see what is announced.

[tudtran]

Wow. Can't wait to see what it will look like.

[reanimationxp]

I, for one, welcome our new nano overlords.

I hope it's actually that freaking tiny. That'd be badass. You could strap a magnet to it and stick the b!tch on the fridge, dash, or anywhere else

[striker_kk]

This is going to be big!! Not literally though

[pyromcr]

isnt the picture in the article what new the shuffle is supposed to be? i do believe that maybe the nano could go touch, but i find that hard to believe. surprise me apple...

[Bluemoldycheeze88]

I Can't Wait for this iPod event I'm curious to see if the nano becomes a touchscreen or the shuffle.

[iphone?3gs]

U have a point there plus having the 5th gen nano I sorta like the wheel it's nice when I take it for a jog or a skate

its the only reason the nano still existed..... the scroll wheel

[Aliquippakid]

I don't think this would defeat the purpose of the name iPod touch. If we all think way back, iPods were just that. No touch no nano no nothing. Now they don't even exist the closest thing to them is call a iPod classic. A iPod nano was a tiny version of a iPod. Suited some peoples tastes, and this isn't any different IMO. A iPod touch, and a iPod touch nano is like saying iPod and iPod nano. The difference between saying 1/2 and 2/4. If they do make a nano touchscreen and it works well then I think qlot of people that do not want a large display but also want great functionality will flock to it.