Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It used to be that buying an iPod nano or else of a full - sizing iPod meant more than hand up storage capacity to get a minuscule player ; you also sacrifice feature , such as video playback and yield , dependable games , and audio recording . Apple lend memorialize ability to thesecond - coevals nano ( ) , but with the late versionintroduced September 5 , the company belong whole hog , bring every major full - size of it feature to the smaller , flash - based thespian nano .
Wide load
The fresh third - generation ( 3 G ) nano is available in 4 GB and 8 GB version at the same cost as their 2 GB and 4 GB predecessors—$149 and $ 199 , respectively . The 4 GB model comes in atomic number 47 ; the 8 GB is available in silver , black , light commons , light blue , and red . ( That last framework is part of the[Product ] Redproject to fight disease in Africa . )
The nano line retains its anodized - metal face — which has also been adopted by the new iPod classic — but inherit the shiny - alloy back that ’s been the hallmark of every full - size iPod . Unfortunately , this alteration makes the nano less rugged , as the glistening surface scratches more easily than anodized metallic element . It also pick up fingerprints like mad .
But the more detectable physical variety is the nano ’s raw , wider shape : 2.06 inches across by 2.75 inches high , compared to 1.6 - by-3.5 inches for the previous adaptation . Although the overall sizing remains almost exactly the same , the wider nano — which looks much undecomposed in person than in pic — is slightly intemperate and feels more comfortable in your hand . On the other hired man , the Click Wheel is slender on the young version and thus requires a bit more precision when scrolling through long lists .
The third - contemporaries iPod nano family unit
The reason for this wider image is to adapt the new nano ’s much large colour screen — it ’s now 2 inches , up from 1.5 inch . This variety set aside the nano to display video just like its prominent sib . ( The nano supports MPEG-4 and H.264 video at resolutions up to up to 640 by 480 pixels . ) With the same 320 - by-240 - pixel resolution as the screen on the iPod classic , the nano ’s display features the high-pitched pixel density of any exhibit Apple has ever produced and the projection screen is also 65 percent undimmed than that of the previous nano , according to the company . However , it ’s made of the same textile as that of previous iPods , rather than the more - durable ocular glass used on the iPhone and iPod cutaneous senses .
Say what you will about the new nano ’s squat appearance ; the screen door defecate it exonerated — no pun designate — that the design is a winner . Despite the small size , menu schoolbook is clearer and easy to scan than it was with the former mannikin . And even though this is the smallest TV - playing screen I ’ve used , after watching a 90 - minute movie on the nano I was pleasantly surprised by the experience . Picture quality is like to that of the iPhone , just small . In fact , in my examination the young nano ’s screen is superior in terms of clarity and edge to that of the iPod classic , although the latter is easier to watch out for recollective periods thanks to its big size . ( One other minor television issuing : Now that it encounter video , the nano ’s bottom - mounted headphone jack has become an obstacle to localize the player upright for see . )
The nano also now supports the same types of iPod games first insert for full - sizing iPods in 2006 . In fact , it ship with Vortex , iQuiz , and Klondike already installed . regrettably , games purchased for fifth - generation ( 5 G ) iPods do n’t crop on the new nanoorthe new iPod classic ; you ’ll need to buy new edition of the games , which , according to Apple , have been completely redesign for the newfangled models . The first such games — Tetris , Ms. Pac - Man , and Sudoku — will be useable by and by in September .
Included with the nano is a docking facility arranger for Apple’sUniversal dock design , Apple ’s earbuds ( standard ones , not the iPhone version featuring a make - in remote button ) , and a USB dock - connector cable television service .
Ins and outs
As with its forerunner , the third - coevals nano ’s 30 - bowling pin dock - connector port wine is on the bottom of the player next to the headphone jack ; this time , the Hold switch has been move there , too . Thankfully , the headphone jack is n’t recessed like that of the iPhone ; you’re able to use any headphones with a received 1/8 - column inch plug . In gain , the bob - connective port is centered rather than off to the side as on previous nanos , making the new nano spirit less unenviable when used with dock - cradle accoutrement such as speaker systems .
The nano ’s dock - connector port gains the power , previously limited to full - sizing iPods , to output video — idiot box shows , film , video podcasts , or pic — to a idiot box . However , early examination indicates that some existing third - company video accessories do n’t mould with the newfangled nano or the classic . harmonise to Apple , because all video output is lead through the dock connector on the novel model — older TV - up to models also included a special Ab earphone jack — the pier - connection porthole have “ enhance capability ” with regard to TV output that may forestall sr. video accessories from working . Apple toldMacworldthat the company is working with vendors to take advantage of these capabilities in future accessary . Unfortunately , there ’s no path to learn ifcurrentaccessories — even those with functionary Made For iPod certification — will work without actually trying them . Apple has announcedcomponent - andcomposite - videodock - connector cable television of its own for $ 49 each ; each include an AC transcriber .
Like previous adaptation , the new nano supports Nike’sNike+iPod Sport Kit ( ) . The nano should also be compatible with most dock - connector accessories — loudspeaker system , chargers , barrage , and so on — that physically hold the new physical body . However , there are exceptions . In increase to the video - out accessories mentioned above , Apple’sCamera Connector ( ) and FM transmitters that expose the tuning frequence on the iPod ’s own screen do n’t work on . In addition , although mike attachments , such as those from Belkin , Griffin Technology , and XtremeMac , let you record audio using the 3 G nano , you ca n’t keep in line recording using buttons on the mike , and relate such a mike does n’t automatically bring up the Voice Memos sieve ; you need to manually sail to it .
New on the menu
Along with hardware change , the new nano also gets the same update iPod software as the iPod classic . Although basic card seafaring has n’t changed , the look of those menus has . For representative , whenever Music , Videos , or Photos is selected on the independent menu , the screen is split in half , with the right - hand side displaying a Ken - Burns - effect - alike prevue of item in that category ( album cover , video frames , or photo , respectively ) . This disconnected view continues within each category as you browse submenus ; the prevue area also indicates if a family or list is empty . To get the full effect of this preview back breaker , you need to start the alternative ( in iTunes ) to display album nontextual matter on your iPod ; if you disenable this option , the preview battery-acid plainly demonstrate a generic ikon for each category along with a status message indicate the figure of token in that category .
Once you get to item itemization , the display changes depend on the type of listing : the Playlists screen lists each playlist along with the number of tracks it contains ; the Albums and Audiobooks screens list the items of that eccentric , each with a small cover image to the left ; and the Songs screen list each song along with the name of the artist below it . The extra entropy provided by these new card makes finding content easier , although if you have a large music library , the two - air - per - track Songs list aim longer to scroll through .
Another welcome melioration is that the Playlists carte now reflects the folder / play list power structure you ’ve set up in iTunes . In other words , you at last get playlist folder sustenance in the iPod ’s menus .
The preview area for the other items in the main computer menu expose useful position info : Extras displays a large clock with the current meter , preferences indicates the amount of destitute outer space on the iPod , and Shuffle Songs shows the numeral of song .
The new iPod software system also admit a version of iTunes ’ Cover Flow feature . Select this particular from the Music menu and — assuming you ’ve chosen to exhibit album prowess on your iPod — you may use the Click Wheel to wheel through the record album covers for music tracks . When you find the record album you need , clicking the Center button brings up a listing of tracks on that album ; select a track to begin playback . As I noted inmy first look at the revamped iPod line , Cover Flow feels slower on the new iPods than it does in iTunes . This is especially the case when you switch through enough covers that the iPod has to load more mental image : in iTunes , the process is nearly instantaneous ; on the iPod , there ’s a noticeable delay and it ’s easy to get to the dot where you ’re scrolling through generic natural covering .
likewise , the increased manipulation of album graphics and previews throughout the raw iPods ’ interface makes for a salutary visual experience , but it ’s not without drawback . For example , overall card navigation feels a bit dull than that of old iPods since the iPod has to load different graphics whenever you choose a new menu , and the performance of the Albums listing is noticeably slower due to the fact that record album art has to be dilute as you ’re scrolling . When I disabled the transfer of album fine art to the iPod and re - synced with iTunes , the nano ’s menus felt zippier .
Extras and settings
Apple has left few aspects of the iPod ’s interface uninfluenced . Although the options in the Extras computer menu remain largely the same , the visuals have undergone considerable change , as has the condition screen while sync and buck — all face noticeably better , with proficient art and clearer substance .
These are stilliPodExtras , though ; they do n’t look like the iPhone versions . You also ca n’t enter datum — for example , for Contacts or Calendar — on the iPod .
An update Now Playing blind looks much like the one you ’ll see on the Apple TV — except with a white screen background — and displays more information than before : creative person , track , album , rating , and track routine . Even the Search feature article in the Music menu has receive a makeover .
The configurations menu has received a similar esthetical and functional redevelopment , with each item getting its own fancy trailer . Each set up covert looks advantageously and most provide more entropy . For deterrent example , the About menu now displays a graphical breakdown of your iPod ’s computer storage usage , similar to the one exhibit in iTunes , and the EQ menu , while still only letting you take from among presets , now display graphics represent which frequencies are further or reduced with each setting . you could also customize the Music bill of fare , and the new iPods even have a sort of “ screen saver ” that , after a period of control inactivity during music playback , displays the prison term and a barrage fire storey . These are modest details , but ones that do n’t go unnoticed as you use the player .
The nano features two other notable stage setting change . First , you no longer have to sail up several levels to the main bill of fare and then down to the preferences menu just to exchange shuffle manner . or else , when viewing the Now playacting screen , you plainly iron the Center button three times to add up the shuffle stage setting , and then use the Click Wheel to choose the shuffle mode — Off , Songs , or Album . Second , The new iPod software include a long - call for characteristic for television - observance : closed captioning . With this option enabled and a closed - captioned video recording playing , that text should be displayed on the screen . unluckily , I did n’t have any such videos to test ; I ’m queer to see how readable closed captioning will be on the nano ’s 2 - inch screen .
Playing, syncing
Apple claims the new nano will provide up to 24 time of day of music playback — like to the old model — or up to 5 hours of video playback . To prove the former estimate , I set a fully - charged nano to Repeat All mode and then played back a 1,000 - strain play list of 128kbps AAC tracks downloaded from the iTunes Store ; mass was set to the centre , and the screen was set to dim after 10 seconds of inactiveness . The nano played ceaselessly for nearly 31 60 minutes , 20 bit before the battery died . Battery life will be short if you ofttimes bound off songs or if you habituate the nano ’s backlight for elongated periods , but the result does show that Apple ’s approximation are fair . To try out telecasting - playback barrage fire life , I repeatedly played a feature - distance movie purchased from the iTunes storage ; the nano again bested Apple ’s estimates , clock in at just over 5 hours , 20 minutes .
The iPod nano ’s audio quality is comparable to that of the previous model , which is to say very just for a portable machine but , as with all iPod models , determine by Apple ’s earbuds . With better headphones , the high the quality of audio files you feed the nano , the better it sounds . I also act as the nano ’s dock - connector audio outturn through my reference stereo organization , and it again sounded excellent , revealing the differences between higher- and low - lineament audio files .
As with all recent iPods , the nano automatically sync your media with iTunes via a USB 2.0 connection . Like premature iPod — and unlike the iPhone — it also offers a mode for managing the iPod ’s capacity manually .
The lowdown
The approaching waiver of theiPod touchcomplicates the larger “ Which iPod should I corrupt ? ” question . But when it come to traditional iPods , the decisiveness has never been leisurely .
For those without huge iTunes depository library — or multitude who do n’t take care managing which part of their subroutine library to take with them — the nano is a readable succeeder . It ’s been ameliorate in almost every means , to the head where it ’s essentially a miniaturized adaptation of the iPod classic available for as little as $ 149 , with all the same features and capabilities including video recording playback and yield . ( It also has the same limitation , such as an easily - scrape bottom . ) The only major compromises for choosing the nano are a smaller filmdom , a small Click Wheel , and less storage content , but in return you get smaller strong-arm sizing , flashgun retentiveness , and a low price tag . Apple may call the iPod touch the “ best iPod yet , ” but for many multitude , that award just may go to this Saltine - cracker - sized musician .
[ Dan Frakes is Playlist ’s elderly review editor . ]
