One of the biggest criticisms of the new camcorder-equipped iPod nano is that the lens isn't placed where you'd expect it to be.
It's not on the back at the top behind the LCD screen like a mobile phone or a Flip Video. It's actually on the back, at the bottom behind the clickwheel.
The practical upshot of this is that if you hold the iPod nano like normal, with your thumb on the clickwheel, the rest of your hand ends up obscuring the camcorder sensor.
See here:
Despite this inconvenient design, Apple's new TV advert makes out that you can casually hold the nano, while filming with no problems at all. And in fact, the back of the iPod nano is not shown at any point in the 30-second ad.
If you look closely, all the iPods in the advert are being held with just a thumb and an index finger. And while it is absolutely possible to hold the nano like this, it isn't comfortable. Not at all. And it's also worth a mention that you don't even have to cover the lens in order to obscure it.
If your finger rests within 5mm of the lens, it will be in shot. See here:
We contacted the Advertising Standards Agency in the UK who told us that they have had one complaint about the iPod nano advert - but it was about the quality of the video shown in the ad, rather than the way the nano was being held.
The ASA has not yet decided whether to further investigate this complaint.
It's pretty obvious that the lens would work better at the other end of the device. Shouldn't the back of the nano appear in the ad in order to be more clear?
Or is it just that everyone in the advert is extremely dextrous and able to skilfully avoid covering the lens by holding their fingers behind the iPod in a set position?
Watch the ad and decide for yourself:
Read: Apple iPod nano review
Your comments (9) Click to add a new comment
lovlid
October 2nd
9. @ craiggrannel.
"Funny how due to ASA complaints, Apple's ads have all sorts of stupid disclaimers slapped over them for stupid people complaining in a stupid manner"
Please name these stupid disclaimers.
"but the majority of the competition gets away with stuff that's at least as bad."
Please name said stuff.
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psyfur
October 1st
8. Another apple fail!
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craiggrannell
October 1st
7. Funny how due to ASA complaints, Apple's ads have all sorts of stupid disclaimers slapped over them for stupid people complaining in a stupid manner, but the majority of the competition gets away with stuff that's at least as bad.
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d4lien
October 1st
6. optimaximal: Best comment ever... Excellent stuff.
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optimaximal
October 1st
5. '...but it still doesn't make sense to have it at the bottom end.' In my opinion, it doesn't make sense to have it on the Nano at all.
Still...
NEXT ON TECHRADAR!
'Apple Adverts misleading - iPod does not a) make you capable of dancing b) improve your listening habits or c) turn you into a silhouette person!
***!!!SHOCK NEWS!!!***
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dvs
October 1st
4. I noticed this the other day but when I tried it, you could indeed hold the Nano without obstructing the camera. I'm right handed and so holding the device in your right hand means that the camera is at the top so perhaps it works better this way.
Ultimately it's a big design fault on Apple's part. I appreciate that they probably couldn't fit a camera at the other end but it still doesn't make sense to have it at the bottom end.
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