Usually, we tell you what we think about things that come down the Mac and iOS news pipeline. But this time, we want your opinion: what do you think of this iPod Classic smart cover for iPhone that turns your handset into a vintage iPod, like the day of yore?
Designed in the fashion of an iPod Classic, this concept by Claudio Gomboli reimagines the classic Dieter Rams-inspired design of Apple’s now-sadly defunct portable media player as a smart cover. Thanks to some clever hidden technology — NFC perhaps? — the idea is that your iPhone could detect when the cover had been snapped onto it, and switch your iPhone into iPod mode, at which point, you would navigate your iPhone’s music collection using just the clickwheel.
Photo: Photo
I’m honestly not sure whether or not I think this is just nostalgia, or genius. On one hand, I too love the iPod Classic, and miss it’s familiar interface. I also think this is a very clever way to protect the screen of an iPhone when it’s in your pocket, while simultaneously imparting some functionality to the cover.
But on the other hand, let’s face it: as great as the iPod Classic’s interface for browsing and listening to music was for a non-touchscreen device, the iPhone’s Music.app interface is clearly superior. Similarly, the iPod Classic ruled when music mostly lived on your hard drive; now, most of the music we listen to is on Spotify or Rdio. This sort of physical UI just doesn’t work when all your data is in the cloud.
So I don’t know. I think this iPod Classic cover is beautiful, but I’m just not sure it’s anything besides a cute concept for a fringe group of users. What do you think? If this was sold on the market, would you buy it? Let us know in the comments.
Source: The iPod Cover
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
13 responses to “Would you buy this iPod Classic smart cover for the iPhone 6?”
I love it!!
I would buy it. I’d buy a few and give them out as gifts. Awesome idea.
If it actually operates like the iPod wheel, Hell Yes! There are few examples of a better UI than the iPod click wheel. Keep in mind, I’m cheap, so it would have to be well priced.
“as great as the iPod Classic’s interface for browsing and listening to music was for a non-touchscreen device, the iPhone’s Music.app interface is clearly superior.”
Wow you could not possibly be more wrong.
Would I buy it? Man I would even if I didn’t have an iPhone! That s**t is gorgeous! I L O V E IT!!!
I would buy this if the click wheel buttons clicked with tactile feedback. I would never stop listening to music. seriously, I love the iPod design and UX/UI
Um, no. Why go backwards?
What kind of question is that? OBVIOUSLY I would but this! So cool! Sadly, this will never become a reality…
It it operates exactly as the iPod used to, for sure!
Would pay good money for this! Would love to have the iPod interface back when listening to music. And I don’t think the new interface is superior either.
Please someone start a kickstarter or something.
I would adore that! It’s such a fun idea that would be awsome for music, podcasts audiobooks basically half of what I do on my phone at all! I’m so in love with this concept!
Fuck yeah I would!
oh yes! I want one of these now. I still love my iPod classic – its simplified excellence.