Apple iPod Nano

According to Apple the iPod Nano is the most successful portable music player in history. Up until now the device lacked many of the features found in its bigger sibling. The new generation of iPod Nanos remain smaller, thinner but now include video playback and photo viewing features. To accommodate the new display intensive features the form factor of the Nano is substantially different. Known on the street as the "phatpod" the new Nano is wider and stubbier with dimensions coming in at a boxy 2.75 inches high and 2.06 inches wide. The thickness is reduced to a depth of 0.26 inches, or 6.5mm.


Pros & Cons

Pros:


•Now plays video with a high quality screen
•Ridiculously thin
•Good capacity and features for the price
•Cover flow is awesome
•Feels just right in your hand.

Cons:

•Battery still not user replaceable.
•The backside is very easily scratched.
•Some units have a crooked screen (~2mm slant)
•The "manual" is a joke
•More expensive than competitors with similar features
•Cover flow is choppy due to less powerful processor
•Chubby form factor looks lame


Competing products

Apple iPod Nano is ranked 5th. See the top picks in MP3 Players

100%prefer Apple iPod Touch
60% prefer Creative Zen
50% prefer SanDisk Sansa View
50% prefer Archos 405
40% prefer Microsoft Zune 8
25% prefer Slacker Portable Player
25% prefer Cowon iAudio 7
20% prefer iriver clix gen 2

More information

The Nano's screen at 320x240 is the same resolution as the fifth generation iPod Video and the iPod Classic. At a screen size of 2.0" Apple states that the Nano's pixel density is the highest in the world. All iPod compatible videos and photos are viewable on the Nano and are accessed with the new "Enhanced" user interface. Apple has upgraded the interface to make full use of the extra screen real estate. Now there is more information and graphics displayed when browsing through the music, photo, and video library. The unique Cover Flow navigation system where you "flip" between albums is also a new addition.

Similar to the bigger iPods custom games are supported on the Nano. Three different games are bundled with the device stored in the memory, with more games available for purchase from the iTunes store.

Despite the new form factor the Nano retains the same data connection port making it compatible with all current iPod accessories. Furthermore a new arm band will be released for runners to use with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Apple rates the battery life for the Nano at 24 hours for audio playback, and 5 hours for video.

iPod Nano Versions

4GB version comes in only one color: silver.
8GB version comes in five different colors: black, red, silver, blue, and green.


• iPod Nano technical specifications - http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/specs.html

• iPod Nano official home page - http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/