Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
No iPod fashion model has received as many makeovers — both minor and dramatic — as the iPod nano . ( Perhaps not coincidently , no other iPod manikin has sold as well . ) The original nano was simply a scaled - down version of the standard iPod — tall and thin with a glazed , steel back and a white - plastic front , but the first alteration gave the nano an all - aluminum body . The third version work a brusk - and - wide shape , but the nano turn back to tall and thin in the fourth go - bout . The the most - late nano , the fifth in as many twelvemonth , got a expectant CRT screen and a video television camera . But one thing all nano models have had in common is the traditional iPod design : a screen at the top with Apple ’s iconic Click Wheel below .
No longer . With the waiver of thesixth - coevals ( 6 K ) iPod nano , the crease has received its most striking redesign yet , and the Click Wheel is nowhere to be found . In its place you ’ll discover a Multi - Touch screen similar to — but much smaller than — the one on Apple ’s iOS machine .
Hip to be square
The new nano , usable in the same 8 Great Britain and 16 GB capacities as before but in seven new colour , still wears an Al shell , but it now takes a considerably smaller shape : Instead of orthogonal , it ’s nearly square at just 1.5 inches marvelous and 1.6 inches wide . But the 6 GB nano is also the thickest nano yet—0.35 inches — thanks to a built - in , spring - loaded clip , a la the iPod make . The clip is grippy enough to keep the nano attached to your shirt sleeve during restrained bodily process , though the nano is big enough that you ’ll want to clip it somewhere safer during vigorous utilization .
On the bottom of the new nano , you ’ll find Apple ’s 30 - peg dock - connection porthole , as well as a 1/8 - inch ( 3.5 mm ) headphone jack . We ’ll have more on auxiliary compatibility soon , but for the most part , dock - connective accessories that knead with the previous iPod nano should function with this one . The nano ships with Apple ’s USB dock - connector cable and standard earbuds . As with most late iPods , not included are an AC adapter — unless you buy one on an individual basis , you burden the nano while syncing using your estimator ’s USB interface — and an adapter for bobtail accessories that use Apple’sUniversal Dock design . ( Apple ’s online memory does n’t yet list a compatible sorrel adapter for sale . )
On the top of the nano are a Sleep / Wake button and shuffle - like book Down and book Up button . In fact , between its bulk push , shape , and clip , the new nano looks very much like an outsized variant of the new iPod shuffle . Well , except for the fact that it has no playback buttons .
Can touch this
“ No playback push ? You think of this is another third - generation iPod shambling debacle ? ” Not exactly . The front of the new nano fun a square ( 1.54 - inch diagonal ) LCD showing with a resolving power of 240 by 240 pixels . This show is quite a turn smaller than the 240 - by-376 - pixel display of the 5 G iPod nano , but the unexampled silver screen mostly make up for its smaller sizing with Multi - Touch functionality : you assure most of the nano ’s feature by touching the screen .
If you ’ve ever used an iPhone or an iPod touch , this touch - base interface will be conversant . You press the Sleep / Wake clit to reverse on the silver screen , and in position of the traditional iPod port of hierarchal menus listing functions and media , you now see “ app ” icons floating over a user - configurable backdrop ( the nano includes unlike backgrounds base on the gloss of your iPod)—four image per screen , with one image for each major feature or class : play list , Now Playing , Artists , Genius Mixes , Radio , Podcasts , Photos , configurations , Songs , Albums , Genres , Composers , Fitness , Clock , Audiobooks ( if you ’ve synced one or more audiobooks to the iPod ) , and ( if a microphone is attached ) Voice Memos . You swipe the screen to the left or right to view another group of four , and you tap an icon to open up that “ app . ” You hook up and down to scroll lean of , say , tracks or artist .
( I employ “ app ” in quote because although the new iPod nano ’s user interface looks very much like something you ’d find on an iOS gimmick — the options icon is even identical to the icon for the Io options app — Apple toldMacworldthat the nano is n’t actually go iOS , and you ca n’t install novel apps or wangle apps from within iTunes . However , as with iOS , youcantap - and - hold on any icon until all the icon start shaking , and then rearrange the nano ’s icons so , for representative , your four most frequently used functions are on the first screen — one of my favorite features . )
For many task , the Multi - Touch display and iOS - corresponding user interface are spectacular improvements over the older , Click Wheel - navigated menus . For example , scrolling through a foresighted list of tracks or artist with a few flick of the finger is as well-situated on the new nano as it is on an iPhone or iPod touching . You even get the same alphabetic index on the good edge of the blind that lets you quickly jump to , say , course start up with the missive R. If cut information is too long to match on the screen , a swipe to the left tell the nano to scroll that information . And during music playback , you may nobble left and right to exchange the screen sentiment between playback controls , playback options ( repetition , shuffle , scrubbing , and Genius ) , and lyrics , all of which float over the current trail ’s record album art .
likewise , some of the feature that were present on old nanos are now much more utile . Perhaps the best example of this is photo viewing : you flip between pictures by simply flicking your finger across the screen , and you double - tap to zoom in and out , just as you would on an iPhone . And tuning the ramp up - in FM radio is much light than before — you just swipe leave or right-hand to move the “ dial ” in large increment , make smaller gestures to nail a particular station . And setting presets is as bare as tapdance the star at the bottom of the sieve .
Also improved is scrubbing through a track , which now works just as it does on iOS devices : Drag your finger left or correctly on the timeline to scrub , and adjust the scrub swiftness by dragging your finger up or down on the screen . Editing playlists is also dramatically easier , and when rating a track , you just knock the desire rating star , rather than having to “ spin ” the Click Wheel to highlight the desire evaluation . ( Oddly enough , the rating option is hidden behind a tinyi — info — button , rather than seeable on one of a racecourse ’s swipe - to - approach screens . )
Another standout feature made possible by Multi - Touch is that you’re able to go around the nano ’s entire interface , 90 degree at a time , by placing two fingers on the screen and twisting clockwise or heel counter - clockwise . This is a nifty option that let you see the nano ’s screen “ right - side - up ” regardless of where the iPod is clipped or how it ’s oriented .
Finally , I do n’t know if there ’s better ironware inside the fresh nano compared to previous models , or if the new user interface is just more efficient — or both — but the 6 G nano is as nimble as it is tiny . There ’s no holdup while the iPod “ loads ” a long lists of runway , and there are no visual hiccups while scrolling prospicient lists — a 2000 - track list glides as smoothly on the iPod nano as it does on an iPhone .
Multi-Touch misses
At 220 pixel per inch ( PPI ) , the novel nano ’s projection screen is unmortgaged and easy to read — it has a higher pixel density than the screen on any iPod except the latest iPod spot . But the tiny size of it of that screen means Apple has had to take originative permission with the iOS - elan interface . For model , whereas most multi - screen iPhone apps feature navigation buttons at the top or bottom of the silver screen , there ’s no room for such nuance on the nano . alternatively , you usually switch screens byswipingthe screen to the left-hand or right . This is simple enough , but it ’s not always clear when the motion will work . For model , when viewing the Songs list , will swiping to the right take you back up to the home screen ? ( Answer : yes , but you only make love this if you happened to have tried it previously . ) Throughout the interface , the fact that there ’s rarely a visual indication of when you could or ca n’t swipe mean that you terminate up swiping to the left and in good order on every covert to see if anything happens .
Similarly , when range list , the small-scale screen size of it means you see only three and a half entries — track names , artist names , and the like — at a time , so you end up swiping and scroll a band . ( There ’s no way to adjust the font size of it to be capable to view more items at a time . ) And the modest screen means there ’s not a lot of difference between a large “ alteration screens ” swipe and a smaller “ do something on this screen ” swipe — during my calendar week with the nano , I often performed the awry swipe , initiating an unintended action . And the new nano ’s little size means that , unlike on iOS twist , there ’s no physical Home release . alternatively , if you tap - and - obtain for a few second base on an arena of the screen door with no controls , you repay to the house screen . But in many cases it ’s easy to just swipe to the right as many times as it takes to get there .
in conclusion , a minor issue of the nano ’s sizing is that since the small CRT screen has no title bar , there ’s no alternative for a championship - bar clock . rather , you could pick out to have a Modern full - blind clock appear whenever you heat the nano , but that adds another tap — to dismiss the clock — before you could start whatever action you arouse the iPod to perform . ( And since there ’s no mise en scene for adjusting the distance of fourth dimension before the covert goes to sleep — the concealment dims after 20 seconds and go to sleep completely after 60 seconds — you terminate up perform this extra water tap frequently . )
The big head , for me , is why the nano ’s cover had to be so small . Given the universe of the iPod shamble , there does n’t seem to have been a compelling pauperization for another as - small - as - we - can - make - it iPod , and a slimly larger design would have countenance for a large screen . For example , a rectangular nano — perhaps the same width , just a bit longer , with a filmdom similar in size of it to that of the 5 G nano — would have been substantially more useful , allow you to look at at least five items on the screen at a time , instead of three and a half , perhaps with enough room bequeath over for more onscreen navigational aids . Of course , battery life would lose a routine with a bigger touchscreen , but the nano ’s battery aliveness is impressive enough that lose a few time of day of playback clip would be an acceptable compromise for many users .
Back for more
Multi - Touch screen out of the way , it ’s worth run down the features from previous nano generations that are still here because , as I ’ll get to in a instant , Apple has dropped a few notable capabilities this time around .
Like its predecessor , the 6 G iPod nano continues to indorse most vulgar audio - file formatting , admit podcasts and audiobooks , and has an advertised bombardment life history of up to 24 hours . ( We ’ll follow up later with our assault and battery - exam results . ) It also have you view photos sync via iTunes and , provided you have the right cable , output those photos to a TV — although photograph synced to the nano are scaled down considerably . you may also use the new iPod nano for data entrepot .
There ’s still the aforementioned FM radio with multi - region support , iTunes Tagging , and the capability to intermit live wireless using a 15 - minute cowcatcher . New , though , is a feature to mechanically glance over for — and quickly access — stations in your area . You also still get a construct - in pedometer and build - in Nike + iPod app — though the Nike + iPod dongle is still required . The new nano proceed to let in a build - in accelerometer , although this time around it ’s used only for the pedometer and the milkshake To Shuffle feature . ( The previous nano used the accelerometer to mechanically reorientate the screen when you rotated the machine . )
The nano ’s clock feature still let in stop watch and timer modes which , of course , you access by swiping to the left when viewing the clock . And provide you connect earpiece with a build - in microphone , you could still tape voice memos .
The new nano also continue to proffer accessibility characteristic such as mono audio and VoiceOver — the latter being the feature article that lets you , for case , hear information about what ’s playing , and choose a play list by listening to spoken prompting . However , as I ’ll get to in a present moment , you ’ll need to purchase new earpiece to take advantage of all the nano ’s VoiceOver capabilities . unexampled to the 6 G nano is an invert - colouring material mode for “ bloodless - on - smutty ” visuals .
Finally , in my examination the iPod nano keep to provide right audio carrying into action — assuming , of course , you feed it lineament audio files . A devoted audiophile might quibble with the nano ’s audio output compared to a higher - terminal ingredient , but most iPod nano owners will be using the gimmick on the go , and in that context , it sound heavy .
Missing in action
At the same time , the 6 G iPod nano is omit quite a few features compared to old models . Perhaps the most - talk - about skip come to to video : The construct - in video tv camera that debut with the fifth - propagation nano also break with that model , and unlike the former three nano generations , you may no longer sync telecasting to the nano and catch them on its sieve or on your television . As we notice in ourroundup of iPod questions and answers , the fresh line of iPods understandably part Apple ’s portable line into medicine - only and television - focused devices , and the 6 G iPod nano is on the medicine side of the fence . Similarly , the new nano loses the capability to play game . ( Granted , games made for Click Wheel iPods simply would n’t work on the new nano , but what ’s to say a touchscreen nano could n’t play new biz ? )
But I ’m fine with those particular change . I get it on I do n’t speak for all iPod nano possessor , by in my experience both as a drug user and in talking with other iPod user , the 5 G nano ’s video capabilities — both recording and observation — went idle ( or at least underused ) by many mass . The screen was small for take in video , the camera ’s timbre was mediocre , and the overall experience could be summarize up as “ OK in a pinch . ”
Other cutting that are improbable to be converge by tempestuous hordes of exploiter include the culture medium - lookup feature of speech , the option for choosing audiobook playback f number , and the capability to sync contact , calendar , and notes to the iPod .
The most significant drawback compared to last year ’s model , at least in my testing , has to do with playback control . Once you ’ve used the unexampled nano ’s Multi - Touch interface , it ’s good to say you wo n’t drop the Click Wheel , at least when it comes to navigating onscreen element . Where youmaymiss it is when trying to quickly check playback . As useful as the Multi - Touch screen can be , it ’s no fill-in for physical playback controls when , say , the iPod is in your pocket , or when you ’re trying to skip tracks while escape or driving .
This lack of physical playback control would be easier to dominate if the new nano include Apple’sEarphones with Remote and Mic . These earbuds include an inline remote - dominance mental faculty that lets you adapt intensity , toggle Play / Pause , skip or scan forward or back , and get at some VoiceOver features . Disappointingly , the 6 G nano includes Apple ’s older , standard earbuds — the oneswithoutthe three - push remote control and mike .
What this means is that if you want to manipulate playback , you must pull out the nano so you’re able to see its screen , then wake up the iPod , then navigate to the appropriate screen . This is n’t too much of an inconvenience in some situations , but I found it to be a hassle during active use . ( This is , of course , ironical , considering the popularity of the iPod nano as an “ active ” iPod — a usance for which it could have been even more appealing now , thanks to its smaller size and build - in cartridge holder . ) give the deficiency of strong-arm playback buttons , and the $ 149 or $ 179 price tag of the raw nano simulation , this omission seems especially shortsighted ( or , depending on how you look at it , like a prime chance for Apple to trade more Earphones with Remote and Mic . )
Omitting the earbuds with the inline outback and mic also determine the nano ’s VoiceOver feature film . Whereas you’re able to compress - and - obligate the play / pause push button on that remote to try information about the current track or , with the help of the bulk up and down release , choose a play list , perform these tasks using VoiceOver without the inline remote control require turn on the full VoiceOver interface , significantly altering the means you interact with the touch screen . And getting track selective information or take a play list is a much more complicated task using VoiceOver on the screen than it is using an inline remote control .
The proficient news is that Apple ’s inline - distant design has now been around for a few years , so you ’ve got plenty of choices for third - party headphones — with much full level-headed quality and a variety of design — that have a compatible three - clitoris inline remote .
Macworld’s buying advice
The newfangled iPod nano is a bit of an enigma . On the one handwriting , its size and touchscreen user interface are certain to father oohs and aahs , and in many subject supply genuine — and substantial — benefits . On the other hand , the new port suffers a bit from being confined to a tiny filmdom , characteristic found on premature role model are lose , and the want of strong-arm playback controls ( or at least Apple ’s inline - removed earbuds ) entail the gimmick is less usable than it could be , particularly in exactly the environments where it should surpass : at the gymnasium and on the go . A slightly larger screen and either canonic physical playback controls or Apple ’s remote - equipped earbuds would have made for a stellar euphony participant , despite the “ lost ” features .
Perhaps it ’s better to think of the young iPod nano as reading 1.0 of a all unexampled machine , rather than the sixth generation of an exist iPod . If you ’ve always wanted the touchscreen interface of the iPod touch on a smaller , audio - only twist , the new nano is a pretty estimable 1.0 mathematical product , but it ’s got enough room for improvement that I ’m already face forward to next year ’s mannequin .
[ Dan Frakes is a fourth-year editor at Macworld . ]
Updated 9/7/10 , 8 pm to correct error about Nike + iPod living . The Nike + iPod dongle is required . update 9/8/10 , 10:50am to redress error about the old nano include Apple ’s earbuds with removed and microphone .
