Apple's new iPod Nano design hints toward a coming smart watch

Posted by PalmerMG on September 15, 2012 08:15 pm 3

THE IDEA

For Apple to release a last-gen design Nano with the smart watch functionality we dreamed of it would've required a dedicated effort and development cycle. The new Nano design seems to imply they were doing the best with what they had and reflects their prior commitment to form following function. Even though the change appears to have come unwarranted, I suggest that the redesign is a result of the need to carefully separate the iPod Nano from an upcoming iOS remote in the public's mind. Let's consider what we know and make some guesses.

Firstly as mentioned in many articles, the iPod team has been dismantled, having some members go their own ways inside and out of the company. The main reason the iPod Touch remains the most aggressively upgraded iPod is because it is still, essentially, an iPhone without the phone. Relatively little development time is necessary for the hardware and the design team changed things up this round with the case colors. Otherwise you would be hard pressed to deny it is simply an iPhone with a few less radios and the last generation's iPhone hardware.

Alternately the Nano has been, in my experience, the go to iPod for two demographics: the fitness crowd and cost conscious music lovers who use iTunes. I would imagine that is due to it being small, light and cheaper to replace if lost, stolen or broken. No one can deny that Apple "stumbled" onto something big when the last-gen's Nano's form factor cried out to be made into a wrist wearable device. And I was just as starry-eyed as the best of us when we all drooled at the idea of a $150 watch that would allow us to leave our iOS devices in a bag or pocket while on the go. Additional storage for music and video would be nice but we'd settle for inter-device media streaming. Being a New Yorker this idea appeals to me because the less I have to expose my tech to potential theft the better, so this change in design made me wonder why Apple switched it up. That's when it struck me.

THE REASONING

As I mentioned, the device is purchased in good quantity by the fitness crowd and I can say nothing is more annoying than accidentally stopping your favorite playlist or swapping apps in the middle of a workout while fiddling with the controls (or lack thereof). In this regard the new Nano delivers, offering easier navigation via the home button and a more familiar UI so this scenario doesn't happen as often. While I am no fitness nut, I have resigned myself to using my iPhone in an armband case and would benefit from a remote with some storage for my workout stats and music. The music lovers who simply want an iTunes connected player with no desire for apps benefit from the same changes.

I also believe they made the perfect move in making us, the tech nerds/industry, think "What the hell?" when they unveiled this design. It would undoubtedly spark these kinds of debates and discussions. I can't imagine they would abruptly end development on the design or the ideas they put into our tech-lust driven hive mind when there is potential for profit. I posit that Apple is simply being Apple, creating a "need" from the "want". Should they actually release a wearable iOS Remote people will snatch it up saying "finally!", instead of closely scrutinizing its capabilities and that... is classically Apple.

THE FEAR

One thing I do fear is that this device will be abandoned/delayed due to the potential damage that can be caused when it is inevitably hacked and the data transferred is compromised. The dark sides of these innovations always exist. Nothing would be more frightening to me than someone with a hacked iRemote sitting in a crowded train car or public bus stealing account info or pictures being transmitted between the remote and my phone or tablet. There are existing wireless communication methods that can be hacked, but when you take into consideration that iOS devices are near-ubiquitous among commuting members of the public, it becomes a very real threat. Most iPhone owners are not necessarily tech savvy and that makes the decision to target them seem nothing less than logical. For example both of my parents (in their 50's) have iPhone 4s and neither one can update their phones without getting help from me or an Apple Genius. Not saying it's the norm, just an example of some people in your life that some of you can relate to.

This fear however is totally dependent on what method Apple decides to use for inter-device communication. I would assume Bluetooth 4.0, the latest and greatest iteration of the standard, is the simple answer. It also has the benefit of being secure (unless bluesnarfing is still around) and requiring little power to use. Currently available in the recently revealed devices in addition to the iPhone 4S and "New iPad", hardware compatibility is covered. It would also answer the question "Why did Apple decided to put BT4.0 into their devices with little to no existing accessories and applications?". If they decide to go in the oppsite direction and "make" a new method themselves (iConnect anyone?), the hardware manufacturing and development times would only add to our wait, assuming it's not already underway.

CONCLUSION

The veil Apple uses to cover its products in development is rarely pierced but I still believe somewhere behind it lies our wrist-mountable iOS controlling wonder device, complete with licensed Disney character watch faces. It is too often said that Apple blazes new trails in the markets it enters, but I see it differently and like to think I am not alone. To me, the gang in Cupertino represents that one person who shows up late to the party, steals the spotlight and makes it seem like its effortless, like they can do this everyday. After other smart watches come and go, Cook et al will swoop in, politely mock those who came before them, and dazzle us at an event while being well prepared to sell millions within a month. I like to think they operate under the adage: You will always remember 3 distinct times in any facet of your life: The First, The Best and The Last. It seems to me that Apple is content with claiming 2 out of 3.

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Apple's new iPod Nano design hints toward a coming smart watch

THE IDEA

THE REASONING

THE FEAR

CONCLUSION

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