Pros: Light, thin, intuitive, and cool new shake to shuffle and genius playlist features.
Cons: Scroll wheel not as accurate as previous model; Video battery life 1 hour shorter.
The Bottom Line: A Terrific choice for everyone. Intuitive and light enough for the gym or the train or plane, and the new features make it even more enjoyable than last year's model.
green-z's Full Review: Apple iPod nano chromatic Black (8 GB) MP3 Player
When the iPod nano was first introduced to the world four years ago it was quickly dismissed as "cute," but overpriced compared to the beefier iPod with five times more storage. How quickly the situation has flipped. Consumers have realized the massive storage common in computers is unnecessary for a pocket media player. Pocket size, low weight, nice design, and ease-of-us are the features that people need most of all and the nano delivers that at a minimum.
The 4th generation nano is not ground breaking as far as nanos go, either in design (many have joked Apple "borrowed" it from the Zune) or features, its just, as they say "new and improved." But it is that to be sure.
The candy bar form factor is a reversion to the original nano shape. Last years model was a short square to accommodate video playback, a nano first. Obviously consumers preferred the "traditional" rectangular shape so Apple brought it back, albeit, with significantly curvier edges.
Feature-for-feature, there really isn't much different between the 2007 and 2008 models. Both have the same size screen (2"), play video, and so on. Interestingly, battery life on the new model is 1 hour less for video playback than the previous model, although music playback remains the same at 24 hours.
So what are the main differences between last year and this years model? This year's models have 1) new bolder metallic colors, 2) up to 16GB storage, and 3) new "Genius" auto playlist, 4) "Shake to Shuffle," and 5) built-in accelerometer allows you to view video horizontally.
Let me take each of these one-by-one. Color speaks for itself. Either you are attracted to the new colors, you hate them, or you are like me, you interested in black or silver, and could care less about the others. If you are reading this you've probably seen the new colors and have a favorite already so I'll leave it there.
16GB in a near weightless nano just a few years ago would have seemed like something out of a sci-fi book. Heck the original iPod released back in fall 2001 had a mere 5GB and it was a hard drive, and by today's standards a heavy brick.
Even still, 16GB isn't for everyone; me for example. I use my nano mostly in my bedroom to listen to podcasts and when traveling. At any given time I have about ten hours of music/other audio and an hour of video. I rarely have enough media in it to fill 6GB. That's not to say I don't own enough media to fill it I just don't see the need based on my use. So even though the 8GB player is more expensive than the 16GB on a per GB basis, I kept the $50 to spend on something I'll actually use.
That said, I suspect the 16GB model will be the best seller of the two. For 30% more money you get 100% more storage space. Not too shabby IF you can use it. For example, if you plan on watching a lot of video the 16GB is must. Or if you just have to have most or all of your music with you at all times, again the 16GB will come in quite handy.
If you have played with the new iTunes 8 then you are likely aware of the new "genius" feature. For those unfamiliar, the genius feature will automatically make a playlist for you based on a song you select. The playlist is based on other songs in your library that have a similar rhythm and beat to the song you selected. You can download this playlist to ANY iPod made in the past five years.
But say you want to make a genius playlist while you are away from your computer. Then what. Well, the new nano has the genius feature built-in. Just hold down the center button when the song you want to base your playlist is playing and the genius menu pops up. And if you are wondering, yes, this feature makes great playlists and reunites you with songs you haven't played in months or years (the burden of having a large library).
While the genius feature is a great addition the one feature that intrigued me the most was the "shake to shuffle" feature, and here is why: even with the nano's intuitive menu system I still hate navigating. I chilling out on an airplane, eyes closed, half awake, half asleep and suddenly I decide I'm sick of the album I'm listing to but too relaxed to lift my eyes to do anything about it. I shake my nano vertically and problem solved. My nano automatically goes into shuffle mode. Hurray! That is shake to shuffle. And don't worry if you are a jogger, you can turn this feature off.
The "new" shape of the nano would make for a miserable, if not impossible video player with the long vertical screen. Of course Apple prides itself on making intuitive products so it included an accelerometer; the same one, you find on the iPod Touch and iPhone. This allows the user to turn the nano to a horizontal position to watch video on a "widescreen." That's widescreen, not big screen. It's still just a 2 inch screen. When listing to music the accelerometer will activate Cover Flow, but more about that later.
Even with the curved glass at the screen's edge, something you'd think would be a huge glare magnet, the picture is crisp and extremely watchable. My own subjective test even shows the screen on the 4th gen nano to be sharper and more vibrant than on the previous model.
The user interface on the new nano is similar to last years although Apple has tweaked it a little. For example Cover Flow was a little slow to the draw on the previous nano. You could see the album art popping up as you were scrolling through your collection which was not exactly a fluid user experience. I am happy to report that this feature now works as smooth and fast as it does on iTunes on your computer.
Another slight difference is that artwork on the menu screen now flows at the bottom of the screen rather than the size. This allows you to see the full cover art rather than just a cropped off bit. Obviously this was done to accommodate the new screen but I prefer it this way. It compliments rather than interrupts the menu screen.
One other useful improvement is the addition of pop-up menus that prevent you from doing something unintended. Press the center button for a couple seconds on a song and the menu will pop up and let you choose to make a genius playlist, and on-the-go playlist, browse the album or artist, or just cancel in case you didn't really mean to hit the center button down. In older models if you kept the button down it would make an on-the-go playlist which could be annoying if you didn't intend to do that.
Other than these items everything else works like the iPod you are familiar with. A nice improvement over last years version. In fact, the only sort of negative thing I can say about the new nano is that the scroll wheel feels a bit "jumpy" and less accurate. I often go past the item I want to select which can be annoying if I'm in an inpatient mood.
Bottom line: If you are just looking for a basic music player the nano is always a great choice. However, if you don't care about having "the latest and greatest," then you may want to consider a reconditioned 8GB nano at Apple's online outlet. Right now they are $50 less than the new model and it comes with a 1 year exchange warranty.
On the other hand if the new style, colors, or other features appeal to you or you watch videos as much as listen to music and the iPod Touch is too big or expensive for your needs then the 4th gen nano, like its predecessors is unbeatable. Though the ‘08 iPod isn't all that different from the '07 model, the refined improvements and new features do add to the nanos over all enjoyment.
Inside The Box: iPod nano USB Cable Earbuds Universal Dock Adapter Getting Started booklet
Useful optional accessories: Universal Dock (so your iPod has a proper home) Upgraded earbuds (I find the Apple supplied ones weak and uncomfortable) Case (inexpensive off or no-brand ones can be found online for a fraction of the price you'll pay for some of the name brand ones. In my experience they are just as good and probably come out of the same Hong Kong or China factory.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 139 Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
iPod nano is the small iPod with one very big idea: Video. Now the world’s most popular Music player lets you enjoy TV shows; movies; video podcasts;...More at Compuplus.com
8 GB capacity for 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos, or 8 hours of video Up to 24 hours of music playback or 4 hours of video playback when fully charged 2-in...More at Amazon Marketplace
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