14 DAY TRIAL // While Apple is getting ready to introduce the new-generation iPhone model next week, the company also abandoned another old product, as per its own repair and servicing policy that states devices are only supported for 5 years after production ends.
It’s the case of the sixth-generation iPod nano, which was officially introduced in September 2010, but which reached end-of-manufacturing in September 2012.
According to reports, Apple sent a memo to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers on August 30 to inform that the 6th-generation iPod nano has been added to the vintage and obsolete products list, which means that it no longer receives repairs and servicing at its own stores.
On the other hand, Apple users in California can have their 2010 iPod nano models repaired at Apple for another 2 years, as per the local regulations which require companies to provide two additional years of servicing.
The “first-generation Apple Watch”
The sixth-generation iPod nano has long been considered the first-generation Apple Watch, mostly because of the design that Apple rolled out on the model.
With a square screen and the size of a typical watch, many third-party accessory makers created special bands that allowed the iPod nano to be worn on the wrist, just like a traditional watch.
And given the touchscreen, the iPod nano was more or less considered to be the first-generation Apple Watch, even though it obviously lacked the more advanced smartwatch functionality that’s currently available to customers of Apple’s wearables.
In the meantime, however, Apple has become fully committed to the wearables business and the company has already launched two different Watch generations, with a third one expected to see daylight as soon as this month.
The Apple Watch Series 3 could come with LTE support, meaning that it might become fully independent from the iPhone and be able to start calls on its own, without the need for a Bluetooth connection.