Former Sun Microsystems executive and current Motorola CEO ED Zanders is not thrilled that the iPod Nano outshined the Rokr music phone made by Motorola at the dual product announcement.

After reportedly disparaging the iPod Nano last week by saying “Screw the Nano. What the hell does the Nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs?” He was forced to backpeddle and note that his comments about the Nano were “taken completely out of context. We have a great relationship with Apple. I’ve known Steve Jobs for 15 years. Sure, there is some tension there. We have the Rokr, and they have the Nano. They are a competitor as well as a partner.”

Zander did reveal however what may be the source of his frustration with Apple in that they will be a force to be dealth with in the mobile phone market saying: “And we know that they are going to build a smartphone — it’s only a matter of time.”

Ed has to know that when Apple and Steve Jobs enter a market they are well prepared and have a great product. I would be worried too Ed.

Motorola: Apple-made phone ‘inevitable’ - ZDNet UK News

Who knows maybe your next phone will look like this?