Apple's Updated iPod Nano to Lose Click Wheel?
iPodNN reports on a new research note from Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu claiming that Apple may be preparing a significant redesign for its iPod nano that could see the device shrink in size and lose its physical click wheel. While Wu hedges his bets about whether the new design will actually be released, if true it would presumably be introduced at Apple's media event scheduled for next Wednesday.
Apple has allegedly been procuring components for a smaller Nano, which would also take the radical step of eliminating the clickwheel. "We [Kaufman] frankly are not sure if this model will see the light of day," Wu comments. "But this would be a big departure from the design it has had since 2005 when it replaced the iPod mini. From our take, a radical refresh may make sense to jumpstart what was once its top-selling iPod."
Wu apparently has not offered claims on what would replace the click wheel for navigation purposes on the revamped device. An Apple-branded square display measuring 1.7 inches on the diagonal did surface early last month, although that size and aspect ratio would mark a significant departure from the current iPod nano display.
The report also claims that Apple is likely to follow last year's trend of maintaining a previous-generation iPod touch at the entry-level point of that line, while higher-end redesigned iPod touches will gain the expected high-resolution Retina display and FaceTime-capable camera.
Finally, Wu does not expect a revamped Apple TV to make its debut at the media event, citing the early date for the event and the clear focus on music suggested by the guitar image used on the invitation.
All of these claims should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as Wu has a very poor track record for predictions. In recent months, he has incorrectly predicted Mac Pro and MacBook Air updates and an iTunes.com launch at WWDC in June, as well as a delay in the iPad's launch until June.
Popular Stories
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
Apple today added a "Why Upgrade" section to its website, which is aimed at encouraging customers with older iPhones to upgrade to a newer model. The website allows customers to compare the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max. Each comparison shows what new features someone with an older...