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On the new iPod Nano…

Sep
9

I am not going to hide the fact that I am a Zune fan.  But, it wasn’t too long ago that I was a huge iPod fan.  I did own the mini and I occasionally still use my Nano in the car.  So, I feel like I still have enough perspective to write a post about the new iPod Nano.  Keep in mind that I have not touched or used the device, so these are just my initial reactions to the announcement today.

So, here is my reaction to the new iPod Nano… Apple, WTF?

First, why a curved screen?  I thought that when Sony released the Trinitron in the 90s that the battle between flat screens and curved screens was over.  It was like Rengel called up Cupertino and said “I would like to go back to a curved screen…you can always just close the blinds in your house to get rid of the glare”  (Sorry, for the cheap shot Rengel, but you did question my manhood in the comments of Weekend Wrapup).  I am guessing this was a design choice.  However, I doubt that this would work well in real life.

Second, what is the point of shake-to-shuffle and an accelerometer?  Is this what people really want?  If so, I am really out-of-touch.  As a past owner, I left because the device was less intuitive than the Zune, had less features (subscription service, social community, FM transmitter, WiFi), and overall had a less appealing design.  None of these issues have been corrected.  But, I can at least shuffle my songs with a good shake.  I am sure that will come in handy. I will give Apple points for the genius recommendation system; although the name could use some work.  Unfortunately for them, unlike “Danger Beach”, it is not a working title.

I really feel that Apple has now just pushed the Nano aside to concentrate on the iPhone.  The last two iPod updates have been incremental, at best.  But, maybe that is the point—for Apple, the iPod has now become a commodity and all the innovation will be left to the iPhone.  But, even at the software level, I think there is a lot more that can be done in this arena.

So, that is my take.  I am not ga-ga over the device like the all-to-predictable Gizmodo. I think this round of personal PMPs was quite uninspired.  So, what do you think?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.