My ideas for the next iPod touch and iPod nano

Posted by jjasper123 on August 17, 2012 05:05 am 16

If we look back at it's history, the iPod Nano has really transformed a lot over the years, more than just about any other iPod model. We've had the tall-and-skinny, the short-and-stumpy, back to the tall-and-skinny with a bigger screen and a camera and a radio, then to a smaller square with no camera.

Frankly, it's all kind of a mess, and I'm still kind of convinced that the form factor for what an "iPod Nano" really should be isn't set in stone (however I really do like the wristwatch-ness of the current one).

I've had this particular idea in my head for quite a while, but this morning was the first time that I actually got around to actually thinking it through, and the more I thought about it, the more I believed it to actually be a pretty good idea. WIth the expectation of quite a few new Apple products right around the corner, I spent a lot of time today fleshing out these thoughts, and here's what I've been thinking.

First, let's start with the basics. We almost know for sure that the next iPhone will have a 4", 16:9 screen. With such a change, it only makes sense that the iPod touch will have to either follow suit or pretty much just get canned. Since I still think that there is a market out there for the iPod touch, I doubt Apple would can it just yet.

My new iPod touch would share the same 1136 x 640, 326 ppi Retina Display as the next iPhone. That would be the major "new" feature for the device, and other, smaller upgrades would include a spec boost to the A5x and perhaps even a better rear-camera, such as the 5MP that's in the iPad 3 and the iPhone 4. Other that those, I don't see Apple really pushing the envelope with it very much further than that.

Two iPod touches (5th generation).

My new iPod nano is where it gets kind of interesting. In short, it would look like a smaller iPod touch, with a 16:9 display that would be 3.1", at a resolution of 568 x 320 (1/2 in each direction of the iPod's Retina Display). If you do the math, you find that the ppi for this screen would be around 210, which is not all that far behind the current nano's 220. Neither the current or the new iPod nano's screen would be considered "Retina," but it would still be pretty dang good, and it would also help to keep the price *really* low, which is the key in the end.

An iPod touch (5th generation) and an iPod nano (7th generation).

The nano would run iOS, and be able to run the lower-res versions of all the apps currently in the App Store. It would have a front-facing camera for use with FaceTime, and it would hold on to the FM radio.

An iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod touch (5th generation).

The key with the nano, like I said earlier, is keeping the price low. This is why it would lack a Retina-quality display, a rear-facing camera, the highest specs, and a few other luxuries. I imagine that if Apple could find a way to sell these things for the current prices of $129 for 8GB and $149 for 16GB, that they would sell boatloads. This would also broaden the App Store to a whole new market of technology consumers, and it would offer an inlet to the App Store at just about every price point imaginable:

$129 - iPod nano 8GB

$149 - iPod nano 16GB

$199 - iPod touch 8 GB

$299 - iPod touch 32GB

$399 - iPod touch 64GB

$499-$629 - iPad 16GB

$599-$729 - iPad 32GB

$699-$829 - iPad 64GB

This price bracket doesn't even include the iPhone and the possibility of a 7" iPad mini. There would really be an App Store-capable device for everyone out there.

Helping to imagine the size and scale, here's an iPod nano (7th generation) playing a 16:9 Angry Birds, and an iPod touch (5th generation) watching a 16:9 movie without black bars.

So what do you guys think? Would Apple ever make something like this? I'm just looking to spark discussion. Let me know what you think of the ideas. Also, I know I'm not the best at Photoshop, but I did my best and they get the point across. :P

Hope everyone has a good day. :)