Supposed 4th gen iPod nano case designs slip out

Sure, magic man and all-around seer Kevin Rose delivered the "news" that a refreshed iPod nano is coming in the form that slimmed up, tapered in, longish tube of a device -- but you might be looking for harder evidence. We've just come across two case-related designs supposedly destined for Apple's next PMP, but both raise as many questions as they answer. Chinese accessory-maker Beelan apparently has a silicon sleeve ready to drop ship to a location of your choice via Alibaba, and iDealsChina is showing off renders of the 4th gen nano and another case from "some unknown Canadian company." Unfortunately, neither design can really be verified, and as they've just appeared on the heels of last night's Rose rumor, the timing seems a touch suspect. We're wondering what the Engadget hive-mind thinks -- any meat on these bones?

Update: As many commenters have pointed out, that's a mini-USB port on that render. It's essentially inconceivable that Apple would use anything other than its dock connector here, which makes this rumor seem even more dubious than before, if you can believe such a thing.

[Via PMPToday; Thanks Joel]

Read - for iPod nano 4G Silicon Skin Case
Read - New! iPod Nano 4TH Gen Touch Screen

[Lazarpandar @ Aug 24th 2008 6:05PM]

I don't care about what Kevin Rose has to say!

[francisco @ Aug 24th 2008 9:32PM]

I Agree. I doubt the design. Kevin Rose is not exactly the best source. Didnt he make a prediction or had source tell him about the iphone i think, right? and he was completely wrong. He said it would have a slide out keyboard. i found the post on Macrumors. Enjoy His speculations!


According to Rose, little bit of inside info on the Apple phone:

- Going to be coming out in January
- All phone providers
- "It's small as sh*t"
- Don't know anything about the Operating System
- The OS is supposed to be "cool"
- Doing some unique things
- Two batteries, one charger. One for MP3 portion and one for Phone.
- 4GB ($249) and 8GB ($449)
- Flash memory, Slide out keyboard
- Maybe touch screen?

[Matthew C @ Aug 24th 2008 9:59PM]

Me Neither!

Sereiously - I think his "sources" are just voices in his head.

And I'm really not feelin this whole curved screen thing - i'd believe it mich have edges like the i phone - but the rest will be mostly flat.
Jobs likes it thin.

[Meridimus @ Aug 25th 2008 8:53AM]

Kevin Rose is an idiot. I know it's exciting to see new product releases from Apple, but that doesn't mean you should publish your shitty 3D renders to the internet and pretend they're real just because you knocked one out over it.

I think Apple wouldn't release a product with a curved screen at all, it reaks of Chinese knock-off. Also, it's even shitter than the 2g ipod that I own, it's too similar and it stinks of crap.

[bluestriker @ Aug 24th 2008 6:09PM]

Still not digging the curves, but it appears as though Mr. Rose may not have been lying. : )

[Juxtah @ Aug 24th 2008 6:06PM]

it's a quick 3ds max render based on what is most likely a bogus 3ds max render. I'm pretty certain it isn't real.

[Chris @ Aug 24th 2008 6:50PM]

The top image is a screen capture of a Pro/Engineer model. I could model that in about 3 minutes.

[Alex McKee @ Aug 24th 2008 7:32PM]

Actually, looks more like an Autodesk Inventor model to me. the curves are why, IMHO

[Kurt MacD @ Aug 24th 2008 8:18PM]

Yeah, definitely just publicity.

[David Clark @ Aug 25th 2008 7:40AM]

No, Pro/E. You can tell because the "spin center" in the middle of the model.

[Gav @ Aug 24th 2008 6:07PM]

Apple shipping an iPod with Mini-USB? I don't think so.

Next rumour please.

[SirPasta117 @ Aug 24th 2008 6:10PM]

Good catch! Seems like a Rip Off is getting a case lol

[v3xx @ Aug 24th 2008 6:20PM]

thats the first thing i saw. it would be nice if apple went that route and everyone followed. im tired of proprietary cables "im talkin to you sony" i hate my w580i's headphone jack.

[Big John @ Aug 24th 2008 6:23PM]

Great point!

[Stevooo @ Aug 24th 2008 6:33PM]

my thoughts exactly

[1234321 @ Aug 24th 2008 6:34PM]

with miniUSB you can't have accessories like speaker docks and video outs
but I do think there needs to be an open free to use 30 pin connector

[v3xx @ Aug 24th 2008 6:46PM]

hey 1234321 i didnt think of that. if i had to pick a universal plug it wouldnt be mini usb. idk if hdmi can transmit power but that might be a good choice.

now when wireless usb hits the market and intel's power transmitting "thingy" is out. this discussion will be pointless. although someone will make a proprietary receiver of some sort and make you buy their power transmitter.

[Kawaiipikachu @ Aug 24th 2008 7:38PM]

A mini USB socket conform this is fake a scam " Rose images must be physical faked dummys just like Rose himself .

[deyanimay @ Aug 24th 2008 7:42PM]

HTC phones have usb headphones and i'm pretty sure the touch pro does tv-out through usb.

[link12245 @ Aug 24th 2008 8:02PM]

That's actually the first thing i thought too. probably one of those fake ebay knock offs. Lame.

[Urza @ Aug 24th 2008 9:59PM]

I wouldn't be completely sure that mini-USB means it's fake. I mean, if they're trying to make it smaller than the previous two models (which must be the case, otherwise it'd simply be a return to nano 1g/2g), they don't really have room for their standard dock connector. I mean, I don't think they'd put the hold switch and the headphone plug on the same side with a device that small - it'd be too hard to turn on hold while you're playing music. Therefore, the dock connector and the headphone plug have to be on the same end. And on the previous models those two barely fit together -- if they're trying to make it any smaller, that's not gonna work.

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 24th 2008 6:07PM]

most likely photoshopped, seeing as how the pics themselves were just leaked.

but there is no way to know, all we can know is that apple is about to release itunes 8.0 and its packed with features :)

http://gizmodo.com/5040823/kevin-rose-ipod-rumors-price-cut-new-itunes-80-features-and-tall-rounded-nano

http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/why-is-the-iphone-popular

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/22/analyst-45m-iphones-in-2009/

need to invest? invest in apple, quick!

[Yevon @ Aug 24th 2008 7:10PM]

Apple is a terrible investment if you want to receive a large return in your investment. The idea is to buy cheap and sell high. If you bought Apple stock, you would be buying high and selling slightly higher.

So, in other words, you fail.

[Carl Vitullo @ Aug 24th 2008 7:19PM]

Of course he's terrible at investing, he obviously likes Macs, which are way overpriced.

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 24th 2008 7:43PM]

hahahaha, both laughable

apple's stock prices are low compared to where they will be in 2 years, read the articles noob

[Deathalo @ Aug 24th 2008 8:47PM]

@ I-phone Is I-sexaayy

Don't call someone with a valid point a "noob" on a blog like this, or anywhere for that matter. It makes you sound like a fool, or a 12 year old, or both.

[Mustaine @ Aug 24th 2008 9:46PM]

Translated: I'm a "Johnny-come-lately" who bought stock in APPL at a recent peak. It's hit a plateau, but please buy it to push it higher!

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 24th 2008 11:30PM]

I don't own stock, I just know an amazng company when I see one, and with apple selling 40 million iPhones next year, I think it's smart to invest, so wake up and stop hating :)

[Kizorblade @ Aug 25th 2008 4:13AM]

You make the rabid fanboys look good. Hush.

[KA @ Aug 25th 2008 4:16AM]

Wow, Carl, I'm amazed it took so long.

[Carl Vitullo @ Aug 25th 2008 5:51PM]

Uh.
What?

[Bryant @ Aug 24th 2008 6:08PM]

As I've said on Digg, Kevin doesn't know anything.

I'm hoping that I'm not proven wrong here, because that nano design is hideous as well.

[Sam @ Aug 24th 2008 6:09PM]

Is that a mini USB on the bottom?

[Peter @ Aug 24th 2008 6:21PM]

yep. id say it isnt the new design based on just that.

[joe blow @ Aug 24th 2008 6:44PM]

Agreed. Fake. I thought this one was getting a coin slot or card swiper too? USB....lol

[Hansel Marrero @ Aug 24th 2008 6:09PM]

Why did they even release the current generation of nanos. This new design looks like what this line should have looked like. Seems as if apple can't settle on a direction.

[computer.dude.28 @ Aug 24th 2008 6:09PM]

That looks like a mini-usb port on the bottom.. Fake? Probably.

[MJZimmer88 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:12PM]

Agreed. Also, Apple's pretty good these days about trimming off the extra space... for a product as small as a "nano," these pictures look like they've got a smidge too much spare space.

Also, no one cares anymore since they're pretty much agreed upon as fake anyways... haha

[SirPasta117 @ Aug 24th 2008 6:09PM]

If thjis is the case design I wonder how many Fanboys will say "ZOMG Apple has brilliant design" and the same people said "OMG Microsoft sux at Zune design!!"

Just like when the leaked iPhone designs came out people said they were ugly, then when it hit the same people praised Apple

[I-phone Is I-sexaayy @ Aug 24th 2008 6:30PM]

your cool

[fred @ Aug 24th 2008 7:03PM]

@SirPasta117

Very astute observation.



The textbook case of this was the "fatty" nano.

Many of the posters here, as well as the writers, thought it was a horrible "unApple" design.

No way Apple would release such an ugly thing.

That was until they actually did, and in order to keep in good with the RDF, all of those same people did a complete 180 and gushed about how great it was.

It's happening here all over again. Just watch the same people, again to keep on the Apple praise-wagon, will pretend that they never had an issue with the design at all.

[loosely_coupled @ Aug 24th 2008 8:09PM]

@fred

That did indeed happen, but not for the reasons you suggest. The iPod "fatty" Nano looks much worse in photos than it does in person. That viewpoint is almost universal among both haters and admirers alike. Likewise, If this rumor is correct, I'm sure it too will look much better in real-life than it does in these renders..

[tony @ Aug 24th 2008 8:11PM]

I actually just thought the short one would be ugly from the designs, and was pleasantly surprised when it actually looked quite sleek. Maybe I just find skins ugly in general. But it has nothing to do with loving Apple, I don't.

[Davedrastic @ Aug 24th 2008 9:29PM]

I'm no designer, but sometimes ugly is beautiful. For another example, look at the original VW Beetle, or Daniel Craig. The Fatty Nano is ugly, but a beautiful ugly, and Apple got praised because it's quite daring to release beautiful ugly products.

But the above design, although I agree is fake, is just plain ugly ugly. It's of a non-descript nature that is worse than Apples designs of 8-10 years ago and worse than many of the ipod rip-offs. The only possible way the above is real is if it somehow has a dual function to justify why it has such plain looks - ie it's a phone, or a handheld gaming device (and radio won't cut it).

But whilst we have this thread here, anyone know when to expect new generation/generation updates of the ipods/itouch/iphone. Are we bored of the fatty allready?

[KA @ Aug 25th 2008 4:21AM]

@loosely_coupled - You hit the nail on the head. I thought it looked horrible when I saw it on Apple's website, but then in John Lewis I was amazed at how well Apple had pulled it off.

[Korey @ Aug 24th 2008 7:16PM]

This is how we all found out about the curved back of the iPhone 3G through case renders , but that mini-USB port which is last generation tech very un appleesque seems really sketchy but maybe somebody just screwed up in that department. However people have been bitching about the proprietary connector since the 3rd Gen iPod so maybe?

[MacBookOwner @ Aug 24th 2008 7:29PM]

Apple makes a fortune licensing that 30pin connector to 3rd parties. There is ZERO chance they are moving away from that, unless it is to another, higher pin count proprietary connector (when USB 3.0 standardizes). ZERO.

[Almadi @ Aug 24th 2008 6:21PM]

We need Proffessor Layton to solve this mystery.

1st Hint: If the glove fits....

[August Larson @ Aug 24th 2008 6:25PM]

There is NNOOOO way Apple would make an iPod with mini-usb. They would only use the 3.5mm Jack to usb for shuffles and everything else the traditional iPod connector.

This can not be an Apple product. Its hands down a fake, and the oval cylinder design is definitely a nono. It does not match ant other product of Apple's.

[August Larson @ Aug 24th 2008 6:24PM]

btw, take note of the lanyard hook. Apple would never do that on a product.