Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Reviews
First Impressions: Apple lanyard for iPod nano
I just received my iPod nano lanyard from Apple in the mail today and I've posted a Flickr set at our TUAW account. I ordered this thing only a few days after the nanos were introduced and I just received it today. My initial impressions after walking around the apartment and playing with the cabling are really good, and here are some thoughts:- This thing's awesome. Seriously.
- Check out the Flickr set for a closeup pic of the actual connector that hooks into the dock and headphone ports. It makes a nice, solid connection that grips the nano well. I'm not worried my nano will accidentally fall off, except for maybe while running, which I wouldn't recommend with this lanyard anyway - an iPod bouncing around on a cable like this probably isn't such a good idea in the first place. On an unrelated note: I know my desk is in need of some touch-up love. This lanyard and ramen trumped the purchase of a can of Pledge this week.
- The lanyard adjusts to a flexible range of lengths. I think just about anyone - short, tall, large or small - should be nice and nerd-stylin' with one of these.
- Some people are reporting the headphones sound better than Apple's standard iPod headphones. I haven't noticed a difference, but they do sound at least just as good.
- Did I mention this thing is awesome?
_thumbnail.jpg "Take a stroll down memory lane")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt said 4:31PM on 10-21-2005
$40 for a string? We are such suckers.
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Robert said 4:45PM on 10-21-2005
But... Apples stock headphones DON'T sound terribly good (??). I bought a new pair for my iPod the day after buying it.
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Dave Ko said 5:04PM on 10-21-2005
I've been thinking of getting one myself. The plan was to load a bunch of jpgs representing a dozen or so emoticons and displaying them on the nano as it hung around my neck. That way, if someone asks me how I feel, I can point to the emoticon.
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Jacob said 6:22PM on 10-21-2005
Post pics with a person wearing them!
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John Henry said 6:37PM on 10-21-2005
My shirts have pockets in the front. I keep my iPod in there. No lanyard needed.
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dogfriend said 6:55PM on 10-21-2005
I was going to buy one of these originally when I bought the nano, but now I don't think that I will because the Apple earbuds don't fit my ears well and it appears to be exactly the same design. I like the idea, but I need something I can wear comfortably
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Diamond Dave said 6:55PM on 10-21-2005
I'm not a big fan of "wearing" my technology, whether it's a nano, a shuffle, or a cell phone. I have the lanyard/hard case from apple for the shuffle, and I always wear it under my shirt. Despite the commercials, there's nothing dorkier than walking around with an mp3 player around your neck and a bunch of wires connecting you to it.
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umijin said 9:01PM on 10-21-2005
"Awesome"? I dunno... I got mine yesterday as well having ordered my nano when it was released. I'd have to say, "adequate", but not impressive at all.
The sound is the same as the 'normal' iPod 'phones. The clip is snug FOR NOW, but since there is no button to open/close the little metal flanges that keep it there - my guess is that it will wear out quickly.
Concerning dangling on my neck - I thought it would be a great idea. However, other than the bling factor (impressing others), I'm not sure. I still can't find a transparent mask here (Japan) for my nano to protect it from scratches or a lightweight case - so this will exascerbate the scratch problem.
Also, If I lived in the urban US, I wouldn't use this in public - as it's too obvious for someone who wants to steal it from me. All they have to do is snip the string, snatch and run.
We'll have to see if the thing stays nice and white for longer than a week...
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Michael said 9:43PM on 10-21-2005
They need to make a version of these with their in-ear headphones instead of ear-buds.
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Joe Buchheit said 10:03PM on 10-21-2005
I wonder if this means that Apple with finally ship the tubes. I feel like I just threw money away waiting this long!
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jeffrey said 11:32PM on 10-21-2005
umijin - Try the Japanese company Power Support. I've read outstanding things about their Crystal Film for the nano, which I ordered from their US outlet, powersupplyusa.com. Should arrive any day. I've had great customer service from them so far. Here's a link to the Crystal Film for nano on their Japanese site: http://www.pawasapo.co.jp/products/ipod/np01.php
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umijin said 12:28AM on 10-22-2005
Thanks #14 (Jeffrey). I didn't see this in the Apple store last week, but I may order it soon.
:-)
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James Capparell said 1:03PM on 10-22-2005
Hi, I am the publisher of Pod Mania (on sale in bookstores now) it is a directory of almost every iPod accessory with photos and descriptions. You can find some of the directory listings here http://www.DigitalMania-Online.com and we have special page for Nano accesories and another for new accessories. For the iPod Nano there are a variety of skins, decals, rubber, silicone and hardcases (fashion leather too) and of course now FM transmitters, clothing, speakers and more almost daily. This is brand new project so your feedback is welcome.
Regards,
Jim
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Jameson said 6:38PM on 10-27-2005
The headphones i got at http://ipod.techdevils.com are awesome and really good in price. I bought some earbuds as well and the sound is even better.
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James Capparell said 10:04AM on 11-02-2005
I think the Etymotic ER-6i are great value. That said they're $149 list but can be shopped for a lot less. Granted they're not $9.95 like at the Techdevil site but fidelity is awesome.
Review here http://www.digitalmania-online.com/Etymotic-ER6i-Review.html
Almost universal high marks.
Regards,
Jim
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David Chartier said 3:15PM on 11-02-2005
I liked it since it's a string with built-in headphones that drastically cuts down on cable clutter and keeps the iPod in a handy, accessible location and out of a pocket.
No worse than paying $15 for a piece of plastic with some music on it, or $1 for 20 oz of sugar water. :)
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David Chartier said 3:15PM on 11-02-2005
Yea, I've bounced back and forth on the headphone thing. I used to buy a $60 pair of Sony in-ear 'phones that sound like angels singing but a) I somehow broke two pairs, even though I keep really good care of my electronics and b) I don't own a car, and I'm on foot all day between the bus, campus and any work I do, so I thoroughly appreciate accessory setups like this lanyard that really cut down on clutter.
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David Chartier said 3:15PM on 11-02-2005
Dave Ko, I can't tell whether that idea is insane, but that totally made me laugh.
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David Chartier said 3:15PM on 11-02-2005
For those interested I've added a couple of action shots of me wearing the nano. I shot both the longest and shortest the lanyard will go, and I added both pics to the original set, but here are direct links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuaw/54748460/in/set-1184208/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuaw/54748404/in/set-1184208/
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lostmynano said 6:23AM on 12-06-2005
Be really careful. The Nano lanyard doesn't seem to have any kind of postive lock like the regular docking cable. People keep losing their iPods, and the situation gets worse after you've used it for awhile
check out the reviews at the apple store.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA093G/A
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA093G/A#rev
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