“Some owners of Apple Computer’s new ‘impossibly small’ iPod Nano are starting to wonder if the device is also impossibly delicate,” Michelle Meyers reports for CNET News. “The most widespread complaint about the otherwise highly praised device seems to be that the color display screen gets scratched extremely easily.”
Meyers reports, “Nano owner Brian Cason posted one of 250-some threads in response to a recent post on Apple’s discussion board about screen scratching. ‘I don’t really care if the case on my Nano gets scratched but my screen has scratched up so badly that all the images are starting to become distorted,’ Cason wrote, echoing the sentiment of many others in the discussion. ‘I have only carried it in my small pocket in my shorts and nothing is in there to scratch it. I still can’t figure how the screen looks like it has been rubbed with sandpaper when the entire time it has been safe in my pocket (with absolutely no items).'”
Full article here.
While there might be a problem with a batch (or all) of iPod nano screens, a few cynical questions pop immediately into doubting minds:
• Didn’t they already try this with batteries and also fail miserably to dent iPod’s market dominance?
• How much of an idiot do you have to be to try to keep an iPod nano unprotected in your jeans change pocket and expect it not to rub/scratch on denim? Just because Steve Jobs used that pocket to highlight the nano’s size doesn’t absolve you from lacking basic common sense. Get a case for your nano or a pack of those 99-cent plastic screen protectors, at least. Take care of your stuff. By the way, all of our jeans’ change pockets are too shallow to accept and cover the entire iPod nano. We suspect Jobs’ jeans change pocket was altered for the nano’s unveiling.
• Would Apple really fail to take basic product design testing steps that every major company takes in order to make sure the screen design wouldn’t fail as is being alleged by a handful of users? Would Apple fail to do this on such an important product?
• Who would benefit if the public could be convinced that iPod nano units have defective screens?
• Is this all they’ve got left with which to “compete” with Apple?
Again, Apple certainly isn’t perfect (just much closer to it than most other computer and electronics makers). There might very well be a problem with a batch (or all) of iPod nano screens. Or there might not.
Related articles:
Site reports iPod nano screen failures – September 23, 2005
Apple iPod nano takes a beating and keeps on beating – September 12, 2005
Others have said that the screen goes black in some areas, as well…
not good for the nano.
I’ve had my nano for almost 2 weeks now, have carried it in a variety of pockets (denim jacket, jeans, sport pants), as well as in a sport pouch while running, no scratches so far…
If the nano scratches in your pocket what the hell is gonna happen to a dell ditty each time you pull it out your ass?
At lunch the other day a woman was showing off her nano to her friend. She was thrilled with all the features and how small it was and how great the sound was… and then she just tossed it in to the bottom of her purse. I wonder why these are getting scratched?
I don’t know whether people have had problems or not with the iPod nano screen. I do know that I’ve had no problems. In fact, I dropped my iPod nano on rough pavement, and it suffered not one scratch or dent. I was pleasantly surprised. My wife and I both examined it carefully and were surprised that such a drop on such a surface didn’t dent or scratch it. Therefore I’m sceptical of these in-the-pocket scratch claims.
I’ve been carrying mine (black 4G) around in my pocket for about a week now and I’m getting the same small scratches that I’ve had on all my other iPods. Nothing horrible cosmetically, and definitely not enough to distort the screen.
People complain… they always complain. Look, now I’m complaining about people complaining. Meh.
I’ve had my nano since it was introduced and have yet to experience any of the problems people have claimed it may have. It would be easy to start a few fake rumors about a product just to scare some people from buying it.
I have carried my ipod nano in my jeans pocket many many times and never got a scratch on the screen. The ipod nano is no stronger or weaker then any other ipod.
In fact the ArsTechnia review should be proof enough that the ipod nano is built very well and can handle a few drops and bumps.
I found these simple and cheap plans for protecting my nano
http://www.sneakmove.com/2005/09/diy-ipod-nano-case-with-urban-camo.html
Why can’t Apple use a scratch resistant surface? Is it that hard?
About two years ago, I had a Timex Expedition watch. The crystal on that got so scratched and so marred that I could barely see through the thing anymore. To echo the article’s comparison, it looked like someone had attacked it with sandpaper.
About a year ago, I bought a new watch… again a Timex Expedition of the same price but of a slightly different style. The crystal on this watch, to this day, has not a single scratch on it, and I’ve treated it no differently. There have been a couple of times, in fact, where I smacked the thing hard against the corner of a wall or something. Gritting my teeth, I examined the crystal, saw the point of impact on the crystal, rubbed it with a thumb, and the “scratch” disappeared.
If this kind of improvement can be done with a watch, then why not the surface of an iPod?
Alex
I got Nano a week after introduction, but never have any problem. I never put nano in the jean pockets because my jean pockets get dirty and wet easily. For $250+, it is not some dirty paper money bills or coins, so I do not put in my jean. People should use some common sense and buy armband or some protective case.
I love Apple products… but half of my Nano’s screen did go dark after about 2 hours of use… No scratches and it was not in my pocket! Apple agreed to replace it straight away!
if you ask me it’s as hard as fsck!!!!
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3
The first iPod I got I thought it would be super tough and so I carried it around without a case in my pocket while I was running. Guess what. It got scratched. I then bought a case and it did not get scratched any further. If I get a nano (I am hoping to but may have to wait a bit), I will at the very least get some of the plastic film protectors and probably a good case too. AND I will not keep it in a tight pocket where it will get stressed.
I guess the nanos are tougher than mini hard drive iPods in that they have solid state memory. That doesn’t mean you can abuse them and expect them to come thru unscathed – especially the outer casing.
Michelle Meyers reports for CNET News: “…the color display screen gets scratched extremely easily.”
Get a fscking case for the nano.
Idiot.
MaWo: ‘couldn’t’. As in, ‘Michelle couldn’t find her ass if it were sitting in both her hands.’
I got the first iPod nano at my apple store and have been using regularly everyday. Having owned a smattering of various iPod models, I can say that this model DOES scratch a LOT easier than the others. Is the scratching obscently horrible, no. Is it enough to make the screen hard to read, yes.
Apple just needs to adjust their manufacturing process to harden the outside surface. They coated the nano in some sort of shiny reflective coating that is not as resilient as the hardened plastic polymer underneath.
I was going to buy a second one for my wife, but I’m going to hold out until version two.
My new nano got scratched very easely also. Just with a cotton tshirt !! I bought a invisible plastic cover from Power Support and now all goes well. I think Apple should sell nanos with such a protection (on the front and back sides), like some cellphones with screen protection. The cost would be minimal for Apple, and there would’n be such bad publicity. Most pople won’t even notice it when discovering the device. Then purists may remove the protection…
it wouldn’t kill Apple to make the iPod a little tougher on the outside. My 3rd Gen I’ve had for about 18 months, and though I try to be careful it is a little more scratched up than I would like. My Sony Discman was a piece of sh*t but the case held up a lot better than the iPod has, thus far.
I did not take plastic film that cover the front pf nano off. I only cut small part of the plastic film, so I can put in the armband and plug in audio jack. There a couple small scratch on the platic film cover but not the nano itself. I use over 9 hours a day both at work and jog with my dog. I do not see the problem, but I will buy the colour plastic wrap and protective case to better protect my $250+.
I take exception to the tone of the MDN Take and some of the comments here. I have had quite a few Apple products over the years, and as much as I love using them, Apple has disappointed me a couple of times with quality control issues. Examples:
• My 15″ Powerbook fell victim to the widespread screen “white spots” issue. Apple replaced the screen for free.
• The battery failed in my first iPod mini after two months. Apple replaced it.
• The second iPod mini failed within one week. Apple replaced it AGAIN. (the third mini is still working, though battery life is generally poor)
• I have kept my Powerbook in a protective case since the day I got it, yet somehow the beautiful aluminum case still has a few scratches.
Apple products are great, but they often are not perfect. To suggest this article is motivated by an anti-Apple conspiracy kinda just makes you look silly.
Well, I saw some pictures of these said scratches, and they look more than just scratches, or at least the scratches we are thinking of. These are more of screen melt downs. Where the crystal liquid actually burns and turns black. And it seems to be consistant, and over one of the chips that are inside the nano. Take a look for youselft. It does look like there is a problem with some of the Nanos. http://www.flawedmusicplayer.com/
I got my 4gb white nano last Thursday and have used it everyday. Over the weekend my 8 year old daughter dropped it in a bowl of salsa at a local Mexican rest. after playing games on it for over an hour. I wiped it clean and put it back in my pocket….with no ill effect.
Is it showing any scratches….some, but nothing surprising. Like my other IPODS, it just needs a silicon jacket.
My only concern is battery life…still not sure yet what time I can expect. I’m spoiled by the shuttle which can sit in my gym bag for days with no drain. (the beauty of a simple off switch)
I was on the verge of buying one for my wife’s birthday when I read last week’s piece. Problem or not I decided on a mini instead. And beatsme is right about the 3rd gen. ipod as well. I’ve got scratches on my 3rd gen. and it’s been in a protective case or connected to the hi-fi. Like it or not news like this could cruel ipod sales.
Anyone that carries a nano or any other iPod in their pants pocket with no case or any other protection is asking for it anyway. I have one and it has absolutely nothing wrong with the screen, but then again, I don’t jam it in my pocket along with my keys and coins either…
I don’t think MDN’s paranoia is at all misplaced.
It seems that having one’s nano’s screen scratched in their own demin pocket is a sin or some stupid behavior. I sigh, because it is such a blind emotion to those who got hostiled by other’s misfortune. What kind of mentality is it?
I believe Apple fans can be more than that! They can be wise and cool, plus being hunger for perfection; that they can also request more from our Apple team, so that the next coming products of Apple can be even more user-centric.
In fact, I have bought 2 nanos, both black (4GB) and white (2GB), and I also got one as gift for my grandpa (who loves listening to some local podcast programmes).
More experienced an iPod user I am, I still get some minor scratches on the first few days of use when the accessories are not yet ready off-the-shelves in HK. Nevertheless, they still look sleek and cool so far. But my grandpa (who also loves wearing jeans) and wanna show off the little things to his neighbor (especially it is a gift from his grandson) got his white nano’s screen much smeared.