Apple shipping iPod nanos with cases
By Marc Perton 
posted November 10th 2005 4:45PM
posted November 10th 2005 4:45PM
In what looks like an effort to put the whole nano scratching issue behind them, Apple has quietly begun shipping cases with iPod nanos. According to reports on various sites, the cases are similar to the thin fabric sleeves included with 5G iPods. The cases are not listed as standard accessories on Apple's site, possibly because the company is still working its way through pre-case inventory. Watch for lawsuits from current nano owners who are bitter over not getting cases with their units.
The problem with comparisons to other devices (phones and watches in particular) is that their screens have very different characteristics from the surface of an ipod.
Name one cell phone or watch that has as much flat, shiny surface area as an ipod (nano or otherwise). How many phones now are flip phones? Your nice big screen is protected most of the time and only the little exterior one is exposed.
My blackberry has a much more vulnerable screen, but it's recessed and has an almost satin finish so any scratches would not be nearly as evident.
And watches...since you're talking about something that is usually attached to your arm, you're probably a lot more careful with it than you realize. I've destroyed some watches too and my black nano looks just fine despite being carted around, not very carefully, quite a bit.
Putting an ipod in your pants pocket is almost guaranteed to scratch it. Take any pair of jeans and feel around at the bottom of the pocket. More likely than not you'll find some debris, even straight out of the wash.
As far as durability goes, if your MP3 player still plays music, I'd say you don't have much to (legitimately) bitch about.
Has there been more than one confirmation of this story..? Everywhere I see it, it links back to the gadgetsonthego blog. I think this is all a big hoax. I just got off the phone with Apple Support and they knew nothing about it. They listed every single item that ships in a nano box and the slip case wasn't there - even for new shipments. The CS rep I was talking to was pleasant enough but was adament that they would know about it before the public. I think the photo that's going around is just a physically or photoshop-aly cut down slip case from a full size iPod.
Well, the cell phone phone I was referring to is a candybar phone so it's screen is completely exposed when in my pocket. Also, it's screen is a bit rounded. No scratches when compared to the Nano. hiredgoons, do you own a Nano? I seriously doubt it. Most of the expert opinions such as yours come from people that have never even handled one. I don't hate Apple, otherwise I wouldn't have bought 2 iPods. I even plan to buy a Powerbook in a year or so. But I will criticise a product if I think it has faults and the iPod's plastic is a fault.
hiredgoons: "Name one cell phone or watch that has as much flat, shiny surface area as an ipod (nano or otherwise). How many phones now are flip phones? Your nice big screen is protected most of the time and only the little exterior one is exposed."
"hiredgoons, do you own a Nano?"
Sure do, a 4gb black one, has a few scratches on it. Doesn't affect music playback or my ability to read the screen.
*Laughs*
This whole thing makes me laugh. At least Steve-o is admitting he screwed up (without words of course... saying it might hurt his ego).
Sadly, iPods are just as much fashion accessories as they are audio players. I enjoyed the shoe analogy... Being at a University of 26,000 people you'd be surprised how many girls will buy a new pair of shoes everytime their's get dirty. Welcome to the material world, where everything has to look good. All of the 'beautiful people' will keep steve-o in line.
Oh, I also enjoyed the 'but it's a rio' comment made earlier. Yep, it's a Rio, and it doesn't scratch, and it has the same features, and it probably didn't cost as much... Looks like the joke is on the guy who bought an iPod. :)
does just the screen scratch easily or the entire front?...i've been eyeing them up...but reluctant due to all the critizism for the fragility and it being prone to scratches...im not going to drop $250 for something that will get scratched up if i just look at its beautiful cosmetics...i might get it either way and just put on the INVISIBLESHEILD...its suposed to be really good stuff...:)
If the iPods didn't scratch that easily then why would anyone need to buy accessories like covers, jackets, socks etc...
You must look at the big picture, it's all about $$$$$ and how much of it Apple can get from you. You all are doing a very good job at it.
I see Apple still has chosen not to make the new iPods battery customer replaceable, which forces customers to shell out more $$$ for the
Service Contract.
Everyone keep buying iPods and Apple will make sure how you will spend your hard earned money.
I have a Sony Ericsson K750i cell phone which is candybar style, it has a screen bigger than the Nano and it is always in my pants, coat or shirt pocket and yet it is not scratched. Have had it for a year now.
I have an iPod Mini for about two years now, and it's scratch free both the screen and body. I can't say the same for my 4G 20 gig iPod which is a pain to keep scratch free, especially the chrome backside.
Maybe I should send an Email to Sony Ericsson asking them to tell Apple the secret in making a more durable screen / faceplate.
I have a Sony Ericsson K750i cell phone which is candybar style, it has a screen bigger than the Nano and it is always in my pants, coat or shirt pocket and yet it is not scratched. Have had it for a year now.
I have an iPod Mini for about two years now, and it's scratch free both the screen and body. I can't say the same for my 4G 20 gig iPod which is a pain to keep scratch free, especially the chrome backside.
Maybe I should send an Email to Sony Ericsson asking them to tell Apple the secret in making a more durable screen / faceplate.
I just googled iPod scratches and came across this link http://detwiler.us/ipodpolish.html
I am going to give this a try.
I've been carrying my MPIO FL100 around in my pocket for 2.5 years now--not a single scratch. Got an iPod Nano as a gift last week, spent 20 minutes with it in my pocket (by itself) and now the screen has a 'hazed' look from all the little scratches. After 2 days, my almost 3 year old MPIO (which cost less than half of what the iPod cost) looks better than my brand new iPod.
If anyone can be accused of being careless, it's Apple for putting a plastic on these things that is about as tough as candle wax.