Why I Stopped Wearing My iPod Nano as a Watch

Back in 2010, when Apple revealed that the iPod Nano could be worn as a wristwatch, I was instantly captivated by what I thought was one of the coolest ideas I'd ever seen. Almost immediately, numerous manufacturers began producing various watch bands to fit the device. I explored the market, read reviews, and tried several options before finding the Lunatik Classic band that suited me best.

Soon after, Apple released a firmware update adding watch faces to the iPod Nano. At the time, I believed this was the future of wearable computing. However, when Apple redesigned the Nano in a way that made it unsuitable to wear as a watch, I was left wondering why they took that direction.

I was tempted by alternatives like the Motorola MotoActv and Pebble smartwatches, but I continued wearing my iPod Nano on my wrist for about another year, even after the novelty wore off and the device’s limitations became apparent. This experience sharpened my perspective on what I truly wanted from a smartwatch. Today, I think simple watches might actually offer a more practical solution than the so-called smartwatches I tried.

Below are some key challenges I encountered using the iPod Nano as a watch, along with suggestions on how these issues could be addressed:

Short Battery Life

While I always carry a 30-pin charging cable, regularly charging devices is something I'm accustomed to—my iPhone, for example, needs charging twice daily due to heavy use. However, having to recharge my watch that frequently felt inconvenient and impractical.

Solution: A more energy-efficient device with longer battery life and wireless charging capability is essential.

Daily Synchronization Required

After moving the iPod Nano to my wrist, I found myself syncing it with iTunes less and less. When iPod Photo launched in 2004, I enjoyed the ability to carry and show photos on the device. For a while after converting the Nano into a watch, I kept photos on it but stopped because it was awkward to twist my wrist to show images. This inconvenience extended beyond photos to music, podcasts, audiobooks, contacts, calendars, and notes—content I’d ideally want accessible every day. Eventually, I stopped syncing content altogether and used the Nano solely as a watch.

Solution: Wireless data transfer, similar to Apple TV, would eliminate the need for daily syncing.

Headphone Cable Issues

It seemed my arms were too long for the wired headphones I liked to use. The headphone cable often pulled tight and sometimes snapped against my face, making it uncomfortable to wear my music library on my wrist. Because of the case I used, switching between using the Nano as a watch and as a music player required tools to open the case. I liked how the Nano looked as a watch—it was one of the most attractive options available—so I chose not to switch frequently.

Solution: Wireless headphones are the best way to avoid cable tangles and discomfort.

Step Counter Inaccuracy

Many pedometers are designed to be worn on shoes or hips. Only recently have wrist-worn options like Jawbone Up and Fitbit Flex become popular. Using a traditional pedometer on the wrist leads to inaccurate readings, no matter how many times you calibrate it, undermining the device’s fitness tracking capability. Ultimately, I stopped using the pedometer function.

Solution: Smart accelerometer technology that adapts based on where the device is worn would improve accuracy.

Time Display Limitations

To be clear, the iPod Nano does display time and offers multiple watch face options. However, it wasn’t practical for quickly checking the time. If left idle, the screen would switch from the watch face to the Apple logo, and keeping the time displayed constantly would drain the battery faster. Like most people, I’m used to glancing at a watch to instantly see the time, which became problematic with the Nano.

Solution: A constantly visible time display with a dimmer backlight to conserve battery would enhance usability.

So why do I still occasionally wear my iPod Nano as a watch? It has sparked more comments and questions than any other watch I've owned. Most people I talk to think it’s a great idea to have a smart watch. But when considering how to overcome its drawbacks, it becomes clear that smartwatches don’t need to be overly complex. Developers should focus on fewer functions and execute them well—offering a simple display with immediately readable information or essential data.

Rumors say Apple is working on a smartwatch, which could address many of these issues by improving charging technology and possibly integrating Siri as an interface, according to a former Apple designer’s interpretation of existing patents.

While I’m not ready to talk to my watch just yet, I’ve learned what pitfalls to avoid.

High-resolution, overly bright screens that drain the battery quickly aren’t the right path. Much like Apple refined their EarPods after realizing their customers have ears, it will be interesting to see how they innovate for the wrist.

In my opinion, the more a watch resembles a smartphone, the less functional it becomes.

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