The 'iPhone nano' patent surfaces

by Brian White posted Jul 6th 2007 at 7:00AM

Although the iPhone is really a wonderful piece of tech-beauty (in form, and partially in function), there are probably market needs for an Apple-esque handset that is not packed with so many features. The above concept image shows an intriguing possible solution to this market need, as it appears that the design is all-iPod (not iPhone). We like the iPod design with a phone thrown into the mix ala click wheel; we really do. We'd love to see this device from Apple as the iPhone nano, and with a patent recently on a "touch pad with symbols based mode," maybe the iPhone nano is on its way. For the legit needs of a cellphone simpleton, this may just fir the bill if it ever materializes.

Filed under: Handsets, Apple

Tags: Apple iPhone, AppleIphone, iPhone, iPhone counterfeit, iPhone cpncept, iPhone nano, IphoneCounterfeit, IphoneCpncept, IphoneNano, iPod nano, IpodNano

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Greg3d @ Jul 6th 2007 7:07AM

Apple invents the Rotary Phone! Meh

Neutral

LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Jul 6th 2007 9:34AM

Well.. whenever there's a patent, we can be very sure it will be a reality in the near future.

A smaller iPhone model was inevitable anyway. But, personally, Apple can come up with something more creative than this. It's like they're taking a step backward by shrinking down the screen.

The rotary dial-thingy should be interesting though!

Neutral

Donald @ Jul 6th 2007 10:38AM

anyone think about the issues with sms text messaging with such an unorthodox input method?

Neutral

matt t @ Jul 7th 2007 1:16PM

good luck texting.

Neutral

hal @ Jul 6th 2007 10:41AM

This is complete rubbish, the rotary dail thing has been done before, nokia did it a couple of years back, i had the phone and it was just a pain in the arse.

C'mon an iphone nano whould never look like this.
I was expecting something looking much more like a conventional phone...

Like being slightly smaller then the origanl and having a keypad instad of the large multi-touch screen, but the overall design like the silver freame and black plastice coved in glass.

anybody feeling my rift?

Neutral

carlo @ Jul 6th 2007 12:22PM

I remember that and that's the first thing that came to mind. What WAS that phone? I remember Nokia learned that people do NOT LIKE unconventional dial pads... Rather, they hate them.

Highly Ranked

mapper99 @ Jul 6th 2007 10:47AM

What next, huh? iPhone Shuffle?

http://iphone.corank.com

Highly Ranked

AMC @ Jul 6th 2007 11:01AM

yeah the iphone schuffle....it randomly dials for u until u get the # u wanted in the first place...Brilliant!!!!!

Highly Ranked

chop @ Jul 6th 2007 2:46PM

the original iphone is already apple-esque that's not so packed with features

Neutral

yooj @ Jul 6th 2007 2:51PM

Are you serious? rotary dial has become obsolete on normal phones, but I guess it is now cool on cell phones to use old technology.

How long will it take to dial a number?

Neutral

doyouflip @ Jul 9th 2007 9:33PM

The image here is misleading. The actual patent application has the
touch interface on the back (bottom) and the display on the top
(front). For those who don't feel like taking the 3-click-trip, here
are the relevant
links:http://www.unwiredview.com/2007/05/10/next-gen-ipod-and-iphone-nano-full-screen-with-touchpanel-at-the-bottom/http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220070103454%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20070103454&RS=DN/20070103454I
believe that was posted here or on engadgetmobile back when it was
filed in May

(For anyone who saw this comment on Engadget, sorry for the double-post. I initially meant to just post it here because this image is more misleading than the one there.)

Neutral

Jim @ Dec 5th 2007 5:09PM

So our telling me you took the ipod nanos design then added some different functions to it then called it the iphone nano hopeing to have apple buy he design from you? Good luck if you want to see a better iphone nano design click the link http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/004855.html it even has a picture fir the iphone shuffle LOL

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