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How Apple could have avoided the nano fiasco

There's coverage all over the Web of iPod nano owners complaining about how easily the diminutive new iPod scratches - and I don't mean scratches like a DJ using a turntable - they haven't added that feature yet. There's two simple things that Apple could have done that would have potentially avoided the scratching controversy altogether.
Written by Jason D. O'Grady, Contributor

There's coverage all over the Web of iPod nano owners complaining about how easily the diminutive new iPod scratches - and I don't mean scratches like a DJ using a turntable - they haven't added that feature yet. There's two simple things that Apple could have done that would have potentially avoided the scratching controversy altogether.
First, Apple should have had their nano tubes ready at launch day and date with the nano. I don't get it, they can build a complex music player like the iPod nano, but they can't get it together to have a simple silicone sleeve ready at shipment? I realize that the dearth of nano cases is probably a direct result of the rabid secrecy wrapped around any Apple product, but come on. Apple probably didn't give third party case developers advance warning about the nano for fear of leaks, but it will cost them more in bad "scratching" pr as a result.
Second, Apple should have included a very basic clear plastic sticker cover with the nano - like the kind that comes on the screen of a new mobile phone. They include a very simple plastic film cover on the nano now, but it's not quite sticky enough to stay on for very long and it’s only on the front. Instead, users are left to find their own clear film nano protectors online for around US$20. Users who want to protect against scratches could leave the film on, renegades can throw caution to the wind and take it off. My cable box still has the original plastic film on its display and I keep the one that comes with my mobile phone on forever.

If Apple had done either (preferably both) of the above, they'd have no problems with the scratching complaints because their defense would be that protection was available.
Apple deserves credit for admitting that they had a cracking problem with a small batch of the nano LCDs but their technique of blaming scratches on users putting their nanos in the same pocket as their keys is getting tiresome. Apple claims that the nano plastic is the exact same polycarbonate as the 4G iPods, but full-size iPods don't fit in as many places as the nano and therefore aren't as susceptible to scratching.
The good news is the a tidal wave of nano cases is about to arrive on our shores any minute now - so you won’t have to keep it in a zip-lock bag much longer.

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