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
posted August 24th 2008 6:02PM
There's a few cases with similar design on alibaba:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/208924964/Armband_case_for_iPod_Nano_4th.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/208836005/silicon_case_for_iPod_nano_4th.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/208855464/Leather_case_for_iPod_nano_4th.html
This design would not make sense if they want to continue to support video on the Nano. While watching video on the Nano is probably not what most people would do unless desperate, this make it even more challenging than the current version. Not sure why Apple would go back to design so close to the last generation and not sure why paying attention to Kevin Rose rumors.
I'll believe this when my 1st-Gen Nano explodes.
This "NEW DESIGN" is an old Generic MP3 that you can buy on ebay from China....
If you want to buy the "NEW IPOD NANO" (sarcasm), You can buy it here:
http://www.ioffer.com/i/2GB-Ipod-Nano-2nd-GEN-MP3-MP4-Video-Player-43674306
I think you are onto something with that link...same bottom layout and same crappy design.
Man, that Chinese vendor is smart with Capital S! Alibaba is the biggest sourcing website for Chinese Trading. In other words, there is a Chinese quy who came up with an idea of getting more hits on his webpage in the hope to sell more copy stuff:,
You can see the 'alibaba watermark' on the image, check out this link: http://beelan.en.alibaba.com/
Don't think this guy has his sounce in Cuppertino... do you?
It reminds me of mini-Zune and an iPod nano had a child... large screen and having the dial to control... still the USB part was a give away... even if the shuffle doesn't use the proprietary connection, that's too small to have that connection so this one will obviously have the Apple version and not a USB
FAKE! Haven't you guys noticed the USB Mini-B plug at the bottom!!! Apple doesn't make that stuff. Maybe you have found the right shape design, but those ports belong to Fakers like MS or others...
No, we hadn't noticed that - THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION!
(Sarcasm.)
I think it could be real. The curved case follows Apples new design direction. The 3rd gen always was a fatso and un-apple, this looks elegant again. Turning the screen to watch video was introduced with the iPhone, so now Apple will feel confident it can be introduced to the nano. A faker would never add mini-usb, that's too obviously wrong. So I think this is a temporary mistake on the part of the third party. But time will tell...
This design look extremely similar to some FAKE ipod nanos i saw in China. Unlike the newer ipods, it would still be running on a hard drive instead of flash memory like the third gen nano.
I have my doubts about the renderings, however I have more doubts about the communts here
First the use of a Mini USB connector at one end does not eliminate the possibility of an iPod connector at the other. There is a clear need for host I/O on the devices and this one way to that facility. I'm not sure I'd do it that way as there are unused pins on the dock connector. A host interface on the dock connector could lead to some interesting gadgets for the iPhone.
As to the curved shape I can see that as a possibility. Most likely though just on the back side. After all who doesn't like a curvy back side.
I'm more bothered by the over all length of the device than anything else. I suspect all control through the screen itself. Maybe Touch like but just as possible a click wheel emulation of some sort. The whole point of Nano is well to be nano sized. So I'm expecting something shorter than iPhone. The screen might be 2/3rds the hieght of the iPhone's.
The interesting question in my mind is if the new Nano gets the PA developed chips. If those are ready that could have a big impact on what gets stuffed into Nano. In the end what goes into the box is more important than it's outside appearance. The may very well be able to stuff WiFi in there! WiFi because of it's importance to Apples ITunes marketing.
Hmmmm, It might be a USB 3.0 Port, wouldn't that be something???
Haha, I wouldnt believe this is the design for the new nanos based on these renders, their horrible. I basically only know how to open Blender (free 3d modeling program) and I could probably do a better job than these.
I think this looks fake... It is possible, but probably not.
I have one of those exact black silicon cases!!! And that render is of a real device, cos I have that device. It is of a Chinese rip off of the 2nd gen nano that have been available on eBay for some time now.
Besides the ports on the bottom, THEY WERE RIGHT!!!!
I HAVE A NEW IPOD RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW AND IT'S A PERFECT MATCH (BESIDES THE PORT ON THE BOTTOM).