Apple's new iPod nano may have metal housing

In what Apple chief executive Steve Jobs called a major gamble, the company last September did away with its aluminum enclosed iPod mini, replacing the player with the ulta-thin polycarbonate-coated iPod nano.

However, the nano almost immediately faced intense scrutiny after a significant number of users began to complain that the front surface of their players easily became scratched or marred during ordinary use. Several lawsuits were later filed against Apple as a result of the scratches.

According to sources, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company is so far believed to have committed to the transition away from the nano's polycarbonate-coated shell and towards aluminum enclosures. The new enclosures are expected to debut in color variations similar to those used with the iPod mini, these sources added.