Apple Launches Worldwide Replacement System for Overheating iPod Nanos

Apple has just started to send emails to people worldwide that own a iPod Nano (1st generation) that were made between September 2005 and December 2006, offering them a free replacement iPod Nano. Apparently, these iPod Nanos can overheat, even though it is rare for them to do so, because during this time period they were made by a battery manufacturer that made faulty batteries. Apple had a lot of reports of overheating iPod Nanos. 2 people reported being burnt by their iPod Nano, and one even caused a train to stop for ten minutes and investigate a burning smell until they found out that a passenger's iPod Nano overheated and burst apart. Reports in some countries forced them to take action. Apple started offering the replacement plan for iPod Nanos in 2009 in South Korea, and in 2010 in Japan. The program is now worldwide.

The next iPod Nano and iPod Touch

There's been so much talk about iPhones and iPads that even though it's less than a month until Apple's iPod media event, there's very little talk about iPods! But, for those like me who would rather be reading iPod rumors than the fine print on Apple's lawsuit against Samsung, Tech n' Cars provides the full scoop, with percentages:

Next iPod Nano:
- Camera on back: 80% chance
- Same tiny form with touchscreen: 95% chance
- Slightly larger screen w/video capability: 30% chance
- Mounts (for bikes, steering wheels, etc.): 30% chance

iPod Classic:
- Chance of the iPod Classic leaving the iPod line: 60%

iPod Touch:
- Chance of iPod Touch being updated later: 35%

If iPod Touch is updated in September:
- A5 processor: 90% chance
- 3MP camera: 50% chance
- Price drop to $200: 40% chance
- 4" screen: 35% chance
- iOS 5: 95% chance

Next iPod Nano with 1.3 MP camera, no clip?

Apple.pro has posted a photo of the next iPod Nano! This iPod Nano will have a 1.3 MP camera. It will stay tiny like the 6th generation Nano.

The first thing I noticed when looking at the picture is that there is no clip! This seems like a very silly idea, to keep the small size which appeals to joggers or people who like to wear their gadgets, but then take off the clip! If Apple does take off the clip, I'm emailing Steve Jobs right away.

Next iPod Nano to have environmental sensors generate screen saver

Patently Apple has discovered a very interesting patent made by Apple. It would be found on the 7th generation iPod Nano, and would have environmental sensors that would generate a screen saver based on motion, sound, temperature, and camera input! Unfortunately, the next iPod Nano will keep its tiny form, but it sounds like a cool idea all the same...

Next iPod Nano to keep tiny form, but add camera!

The 6th generation Nano was a horrible move by Apple. I had faith in Apple, however, that they would correct it and bring back the scrollwheel, camera, video playback, and larger screen. Unfortunately, when Apple releases the next iPod Nano in early September, they are going to keep the tiny 1.4" touchscreen. However, they will add a camera. The image above was sent to Apple.Pro recently. It shows the same design, yet a camera on the back. But how are you going to take pictures and videos with a devices this tiny? How good can the resoloution be? Apple still has not corrected their mistake.

My letter to Apple

I have just sent a letter to Apple explaining to them why they shouldn't have made the iPod Nano. I'm not going to bore you with the whole letter (which was about 1.5 pages), but in a nutshell, here's what I said:

I'm a huge Apple fan and always thought you've made the right moves, that is, until you made the 6th generation iPod Nano. CNET reviews also says that the iPod Nano is "perhaps the first misstep by Apple within the Nano line." It takes away the speaker, the video camera, the video watching ability and the scrollwheel just to achieve a jogger-friendly size, but the Shuffle is the perfect iPod for joggers, and the buttons are easier to press while jogging than on a touch-screen Nano. It also makes the least expensive video-capable iPod the iPod Touch, which is $230. And if you like the multitouch and iOS feel, an 80 dollar upgrade brings you to the Touch. I have faith that you can realize and correct your mistakes, because you've re-added buttons to the iPod Shuffle after realizing your mistake there, and even put two cameras on the iPod Touch after your CEO said "The iPod Touch doesn't need a camera; that's what the iPhone is for." Therefore, you should make the 7th gen Nano more like the 5th gen Nano, but upgrade the camera to make it be able to take still images. Hoping to hear back from you soon with your thoughts on this letter.

Obviously, that's a much shortened version of my letter, and because the letter is getting sent, I only had my outline on hand while writing the above. Certainly leave a comment telling me what you think about this topic.

Why Apple Shouldn't have made the iPod Nano 6G

Apple made a huge mistake when they introduced the Nano 6G. They took away the speaker, the video playback ability, the video camera, the larger screen, the clickwheel, Cover Flow, just to make it half the size. Well, if you're looking for a small iPod, there's the iPod shuffle right under your nose! Oh, and it costs three times less. The Nano looks like iOS, but actually there's no apps and you can't download apps. And by the way, paying just $80 gives you a much bigger screen capable of watching video, an HD video camera, a front-facing camera, an actual app store, and internet connection. It's called the iPod Touch. Hmmm... which is a better deal? Apple's always seemed to make the best moves, but this, unfortunately, is their first mistake.