For a minute, let's set aside cell phones and other devices that actively transmit something more than just background electronic noise.

The regs are what they are, regardless of whether we like them/agree with them or not. And the regs are "no electronic equipment". iPods, whether they're Nanos or HD-based, are "electronic equipment". I agree that a watch is as well.

However, a watch does not prevent you from hearing crew instructions in the event of an emergency. A watch doesn't get wrapped around an armrest (like a headphone cord) if you're evacuating. Etc. I don't believe the concern is over emissions that could interfere with avionics. First, the airlines/FAA/FCC are already about set to allow cell phone usage. Second, if interference was the concern you wouldn't be able to use iPods, laptops, etc. at any point in the flight.

The only explanation for disallowing the use of electronics until you've reached 10,000 ft. and once you've descended below 10,000 feet is that take-off and landing are the most dangerous parts of air travel, and in the event of a catastrophe they don't want you zoning out to Enya and missing important stuff...and they'd prefer you not get tangled up in cords when trying to evacuate.

Again...I'm not disputing it's a little silly. But to try to say that Nanos aren't covered under those rules is ignorant.