The iPod Nano update on September 1, 2010 is arguably the most dramatic since the iPod Nano moniker was introduced by Apple five years ago.
Several colors are being offered in both 8 GB & 16 GB capacities.
More than an update, this is a new product that simply retains the iPod Nano name. It gains a significant feature, but loses several others.
The big deal is the touch interface on the newest iPod Nano. iPod Nano users will now be "touching," their music as iPod Touch and iPhone users have before them. The click wheel is gone. To find your music, you select a category from the Nano's menu such as "Playlists," or "Artists," and select from there. Less convenient or more convenient than a click wheel? Honestly, about equal. The screen is indeed small, but not unusable.
FM Radio has been retained as well as the Fitness aspects with the ability to use Nike + or simply the built in pedometer. However, the form factor will be a major benefit for those working out with the Nano. The previous Nano required an armband to keep it on you while working out, jogging, or the like. Not always comfortable, an additional expense, etc. However, with this new small, square form factor that need is gone. Now, we can simply "clip," the Nano onto us, with the built in clip, and run to our listening content. A bigger deal than you might think.
The downside? Features have been removed from Nano. The screen is much smaller than the previous generation. Therefore, playback of video content from iTunes is gone. Nano no longer plays video, which was a feature added three years ago. Secondly, last year, Nano added a small video camera to record low quality video, which could be played back on the Nano's screen or synced with iTunes and viewed on your computer. That feature is gone too. The device is too small now for a camera or to watch video. This new generation iPod Nano has many exciting new features, but buyers must be aware that it is no longer a video player. It is something new. Those wishing to play video on an iPod must choose an iPod Touch.
My opinion on this change? Honestly, did I ever watch video on the iPod Nano's screen? No. For me, while they kept trying to make the screen larger, it was simply too small to enjoy more than a once a year video. Likewise, the camera was simply not high enough quality to keep yourself entertained by using on a regular basis. It became a feature unused by many.
The iPod Nano has changed and gone back to being an exceptional music player. There is nothing here you do not need to enjoy music. However, the display and touch interface brings the 21st century "touch," that Apple has made so popular to a more affordable device. The touch function will be limited here to simply selecting songs or bringing up the clock, but nevertheless, touch has made its way to the Nano.
I'm most thankful that the Nano has indeed retained the DOCK CONNECTOR. The dock connector is key to use with iPod accessories such as docks, speaker docks, and built in car iPod connectors. The nano is so diminutive that if you plug it into the factory iPod kit of an automobile, the cable's dock connector will look nearly bigger than the Nano itself. Not a negative, just amusing. Nevertheless, the dock connector is there, and you will be able to use the device in such applications, and that was a significant decision by Apple. Users want and need the dock connector. It is there on this iPod Nano, but still missing from the Shuffle due to its even more diminutive size.
This 16 GB version is the largest size Apple offers in the Nano. It offers no additional functionality over the 8GB, but features twice the storage. Choose the one best for you. 16 GB is great if you have a large music collection. We should all remember though that with Nano no longer doing Video or Storing Pictures, the storage is exclusively for music. This makes 8 GB and 16 GB more appropriate size offerings as music takes up much less storage than video.
Overall, Apple has removed video (both playback and recording) from this iPod Nano. However, it's an equalling good music player. Navigation of music is now completed via touch, which works effectively despite the small screen. It's really hard to believe so much can fit into such a small device and I believe everyone will be a bit shocked when they open up the Nano the first time and see it's size yet primary function as an effective music player retained. The newest Nano brings a nearly Shuffle like size, but yet retains the functionality (touch, clip, dock connector) that serious music lovers and those who use the Nano while working out, demand. Apple iPod nano 8 GB Graphite (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL
But it's not a Nano. Once you get that, the rest is easy. It's also a bit of a mixed bag.
**UPDATE** Apple, apparently in response to complaints, has released a Version 1.1 Software Update that
1) Now allows users to turn the Nano COMPLETELY OFF by holding down the Wake/Sleep button for several seconds. No more 'it only goes to sleep'.
2) Sets the Wake/Sleep button as a 'Next Song' button- double-click it to advance through your songs or radio station presets (that's default; it can be set to Play/Pause on double-click instead, or you can turn off double-click functionality altogether).
This change should improve the Nano's battery life as well- from awful to merely BAD- as you'll be less dependent on the power-gobbling touchscreen to advance songs/stations.
Due to these improvements, I'm provisionally upping my review rating to three stars (battery life and pricing/value-for-money remain issues). End Update. ***
A lot of ppl are confused about the radical re-invention of the Nano, not realizing that the Nano is, essentially, dead. The Nano's mission was to be a compact iPod that still did some higher-end stuff such as video and picture-taking- a nice portable 'media' player. No more.
The new Nano, aka Super Shuffle, is focused on a different task entirely, and much the same one as the regular Shuffle- the gym. To that end, Apple radically reduced the size and gave it an integrated clip a la the regular Shuffle. It is now 'wearable', aka the 'Shuffle with a screen' that some have wanted for a long time.
The downside is that others loved the 'true' Nano, and now they can't have one, unless they go running for the old 5th gen models before they're gone. Some will wonder why it was an 'either/or' thing for Apple, i.e. couldn't the Super Shuffle and 'true Nano' exist side-by-side?
Others will say the Super Shuffle is inadequate even for the gym. "I don't want to look at a SCREEN to switch songs or change the volume. Lame!", they'll say.
To be fair though, you usually don't HAVE to look at the screen, because
- The Super Shuffle has physical volume buttons. They're small, but still easy to use. And as of Software Update 1.1, you can now double-click the Wake/Sleep button to advance songs- a MUCH needed improvement.
- It has the 'Shake To Shuffle' feature- literally shake it to shuffle to another song. But, as implemented, STS is inconvenient to use- see notes @end of review.
- It supports VoiceOver. But to use *all* VO features requires the Apple Earphones With Remote & Mic, which are NOT included (Apple either wants another $30, or still hasn't solved the sweat/moisture issues those 'phones have had in the past).
So, some issues aside, the 6G Nano/SS now works fine in its role as a 'gym' Shuffle with a screen.
Features-wise, it does photo-viewing (but not taking), audiobooks, podcasts (minus any video), voice memos (w/the optional 'phones w/Remote & Mic), is a pedometer, and does FM radio besides. And radio stations do sound surprisingly clear in any halfway decent reception area. Even low-power college stations usually come in clean- a big plus, since they often have more innovative music programming than commercial FM.
It also retains the 30-pin dock connector, so you have access to the universe of iPod accessories - for some examples, see 'iPod Nano 6G Docking Options' on YouTube. This is all well and good.
So MY BEEF with the Super Shuffle isn't that it killed the 'true' Nano (enough demand = they'll bring it back), but rather the level of 'milking it' Apple's decided to go with here. While I own & use one, it just isn't worth an additional $100+ MORE than a regular Shuffle.
They do much the same thing, after all- the features it adds to the Shuffle are fairly minor (for example, ever try to get consistent FM reception inside a large concrete building, aka your typical gym? Best be near a window.)
Sure, you get the touchscreen, which is sharp/clear, fun to use, and almost eerily resistant to smudges/fingerprints (nice). But said T-screen is also *really* small - going larger would've made it less 'wearable' - which compromises readability/ease-of-use. Worst of all, it scarfs WAY too much battery juice (see notes @end of review).
It does give you 6GB more storage than the Shuffle (though that cost Apple < $10 to put in there). But a 'gym' Shuffle doesn't really need to hold 2,000 songs (4,000 if you opt for the 16GB), nor does the tiny screen lend itself well to navving through all that. The capacity and price points are Nano legacies, but as we know, this ain't a Nano.
All in all, the advantages don't add up to the price charged, in terms of value provided. You can buy THREE regular Shuffles for the same money.
Now, a 4GB model for $99-$129 would've made sense. Hitting that price point next time would be great, as that's about what a 'Super Shuffle' is really worth.
Here's hoping we see that *and* a new 'true' Nano once the 7th gen rolls around. Sure, a Shuffle with a screen is COOL- just not cool enough to justify shelling out $150-180 (as I found out).
I do want to dig ya Super Shuffle, but the pricing/value-for-money is your Kryptonite. =[
Also, as mentioned, the battery life is very 'touchy' (see notes below) and pretty disappointing, and there's a few minor bugs & interface issues (also see below).
Update: Got bit by a bug (on 1.0 Software). My Nano would endlessly loop the same song over and over. A 'Restore to Factory Settings' fixed it, but still... strange.
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Note #1 (Colors): If you buy online, be aware that the casing colors are more muted than they appear in pics. The blue Nano, for example, is a smoky, very pale blue in person. The exception is the Product Red model (which is Apple Store-only): it's a VERY vivid red in real life. But the other, more understated colors aren't bad, and are arguably more 'grown up'.
Note #2 (Battery Life): The batt life on the 6G Nano is VERY dependent on how much you use the touchscreen. Playing around with it a lot- which is EXACTLY what you'll do when you first get one- just KILLS the batt juice. No way around it: the touchscreen, while fun, is also a HUGE BATTERY HOG. =[
The screen sleep behavior worsens the problem, by keeping the screen lit for far too long after a touch. This is NOT changeable in Settings either. WTH?
Thus, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND putting the screen to sleep MANUALLY via the Wake/Sleep button EVERY time you're done touchscreening- don't let the screen turn itself off, it's VERY SLOW to do so. Your battery life will thank you.
Btw, Apple's claimed 'UP TO 24 hours of battery life' apparently refers to just playing music, with no screen usage. That's NOT realistic, since you DO have to use the screen for some things. Be especially careful with the touchscreen radio tuner, as taking too much time looking for that 'perfect' station is just. pure. battery. kryptonite. (Tip: Set up your radio presets early. Turn off Live Pause too- some ppl report batt life issues w/it).
For myself, doing 90-minute workouts with a mix of radio/regular music, I take 25-30% off the battery on avg - so about 5-6 hrs of battery life, real-world. The 1.1 Software Update may up this a bit, as you can then just use the button to advance songs. Be aware that the Battery Life icon is VERY schizo- 1st usage after a charge may read as taking almost NOTHING off the battery, while a similar but later use can read as taking HALF the battery. Bottom line: You'll be recharging frequently. Reducing Screen Brightness may help slightly.
Note #3 (Bugs, Interface issues): i.e. 'Things I hope Apple fixes in a Software Update'.
- In low-but-usable radio signal areas, you'll get lots of erroneous 'No Radio Signal- Please plug in headphones' messages. I get these WITH my headphones plugged in, listening to a station that's coming in a bit quietly but just fine. =[
- MANY ppl blamed the poor battery life on the fact that you couldn't manually turn the Nano completely OFF (it'd Sleep instead). This is fixed in the 1.1 Software Update, but, as you know by now, it's the TOUCHSCREEN that's the true batt life culprit. =[
- If you set the text to 'White on Black' in Accessibility (which improves contrast/readability/looks cool), all icons & wallpapers get turned into strange photo negatives of themselves. Whaaa? If this is an OS limitation, then at least provide 'negative' wallpapers & icons that look good with the feature turned on.
- The Battery Life meter and Time should be visible on ALL screens (such as 'Now Playing'). Having to nav back or 'hold down to jump to Home screen' is annoying/slow, and wastes power.
- As mentioned, the backlight power-saving needs a lotta work.
- The 'Shake To Shuffle' feature bears rethinking. First off, it's iffy 'til you figure out the technique- 2 short, FAST shakes in any direction, *with the screen ON* (1 can work, but the % is lower).
Many gym ppl/runners won't like this, though. They'll wish STS worked with the screen OFF, so they can just reach over & shake without having to do a no-look Wake/Sleep button jab. Apple's worried about accidental triggerings, but you'd like to see a better solution than this.
But Apple does deserve props and thanks for the 1.1 Software Update. Hopefully even more Nano-love is upcoming, beginning with better power-saving.
Note #4 (Protecting Your Hearing): Volume Limit in Settings is your friend. Correct procedure: Set your max volume limit w/it while in a QUIET room. At the gym, noisy treadmills/equipment can easily make you crank your volume to the point of causing permanent hearing damage, given enough exposure time. Volume Limit is a hearing-saver. Use it. - 6th Generation - Ipod - Apple - Nano'
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