Apple Computer’s newest MP3 player, the iPod nano, is receiving rave reviews and analysts believe the device will solidify Apple’s dominance in the competitive MP3 player market for at least another year. However, not everyone praises the device — Motorola CEO Ed Zander had some harsh words for the nano in a recent interview.
“Screw the nano,” said Zander. “What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs? People are going to want devices that do more than just play music, something that can be seen in many other countries with more advanced mobile phone networks and savvy users,” he said.
Zander’s comments come just three weeks after the introduction of the iPod nano in an event that also saw the unveiling of the Motorola Rokr, the first iTunes compatible phone.
Traditionally Apple likes to have complete control over products it introduces, which led some consumers and analysts to speculate that Apple would release their own iTunes phone. The company instead opted to partner with Motorola to develop the hardware. Zander declined to comment specifically on the idea of an Apple smart phone, but said “all computer companies are thinking about voice.”
Unlike the positive iPod nano reviews and outlook for the device, reviews of the Motorola phone have been mixed at best.
Tom Krazit from IDG News Service contributed to this story.