A new iPod-like device turns a strapless watch into a “telephone” with a click wheel

Apple’s most successful product of all time, the iPhone, was at one point designed to look more like an iPod than the device we ended up with. The iPod was such a hit for Apple that the company naturally began to consider creating an iPhone that would look and feel similar to its biggest money maker at the time.

17 years after the launch of the iPhone, the idea of an iPod-inspired phone has not been forgotten. In fact, there is a company that jokes that they have created…sort of.

Say hello to tinyPod.

TinyPod is not what you think

TinyPod won’t be fully unveiled until June, but reports about it on X/Twitter have been circulating for several months now. Today’s new trailer gives us our best look at the device yet.

Judging by the name, I would have guessed that tinyPod would be a music-only device, but as the video shows, it will actually have more capabilities.

Why is he more capable? Because it really is Apple Watch case without strap.

tinyPod is basically a case for the basic Apple Watch hardware that takes inspiration from the iPod, allowing your watch to turn into something like a tiny phone. Oh, and instead of using the Digital Crown to navigate watchOS, you’ll use the included iPod-style click wheel.

Is this brilliant? Is that weird? Maybe a little of both.

The iPod is actually an Apple Watch

tinyPod definitely advertises itself as more than just a case. The teaser ends with a clever tagline:

phone away from the phone

At a time when so many users struggle with phone addiction, the idea of taking the Apple Watch and turning it into a less addictive “phone” is fascinating.

With tinyPod, your “phone” will still be part of the Apple ecosystem along with all the essential apps that come with it – because it’s an Apple Watch. But it will also be much easier not to spend every waking minute scrolling through social media and YouTube apps, as most of these services don’t exist or don’t work well on watchOS.

Consider me intrigued. If this works well, I can see tinyPod being an elegant solution to the need some people have in their lives for a less capable phone. Anyway, it sure looks cute.

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