Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family, iTS, Reviews
A week with the new iPod Nano
Truth be told, I loved the design of the second generation Nano. The candy-bar form factor, the proportions, the brushed metal. The whole thing. Sure, it couldn't do video, but it was just the right size to take running with the Nike+ kit, whilst retaining a screen - and I always perceived it to stand up to more wear and tear without a shiny metal back cover. It fitted just perfectly in the hand so you can imagine that with the new model, it'll take you a while to become used to the feel of the device. Instead of holding the iPod like a candy-bar, it sits in the palm of the hand almost unnaturally at first with the (proportionally large) screen being the most attention-grabbing part of the device. The new Nano also shows a return of the stainless-steel reflective metal backing (can you smell the 'scratching' lawsuits already?) and despite my most devoted efforts to keep the iPod totally scratch-free it just doesn't look as stunningly new as it did.
So what are the initial flaws with the device? To be picky about Cover Flow (a feature I've never really enjoyed or seen purpose for in iTunes) it looks somewhat less than slick - cover art looks rather distorted when not at the front of the Cover Flow queue, and the white background to the Cover Flow is possibly unfamiliar, but still looks out of place. With so many of the screens using black touches (such as the title of tracks now playing, the sync-screens and more) it seems a little bold.Another issue is a double-edged sword. The ability to choose folders of playlists to synchronise, instead of having to individually select playlists, is long overdue in iTunes, however the distinction between folders of playlists and individual playlists on the iPod itself is merely left to be deduced from the song count. An icon to the left of folders to designate them as such, or a statement of '5 playlists' instead of '143 songs' would be far more intuitive. I also experienced a few issues with Folders of playlists not synchronising over, leaving an empty folder in its place, however after having turned off music synching and then re-enabling it has now resolved itself. Thankfully, these small flaws can likely be resolved in a future software update (it is, after all a 1.0 product).
Whilst the iPod Shuffle (of which I am a huge fan) made music truly portable, affordable (and, if you believe Mr Jobs, wearable), the new Nano does something equally ground-breaking: it makes video truly portable, and truly affordable for the 4Gb Silver model's $149US price is an incredible low price for the iPod / Video / iTunes package. If there were ever an Apple-designed salvo to media companies that they 'ought to ge their video on iTunes', and another hit for Apple this Christmas, the new Nano is just that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Russ said 3:44PM on 9-14-2007
I have a black 8gb nano and it really is a gorgeous little device. People who think its fat or ugly probably have not held one in their hand, if they did they would realise how stupid the 'fatty' tag is.
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Neil Christie said 3:45PM on 9-14-2007
Oh come on, do you honestly think that this is the first device of small proportions to do video? There are probably hundreds of others on the market, many of them have been there for months. You've had your Apple blinkers on though so didn't notice. This device is not ground breaking AT ALL.
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5cents said 3:45PM on 9-14-2007
Well written article, impressive. Is this Fletcher fellow one of the new bloggers?
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Andre said 3:50PM on 9-14-2007
Nice post. :)
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kory said 3:53PM on 9-14-2007
...yeah. something like "wide-y" would probably be more appropriate (though not nearly as catchy)
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kory said 3:53PM on 9-14-2007
and it's not the SIZE of the screen that makes it groundbreaking. As mentioned, it's the RESOLUTION.
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Pete said 3:53PM on 9-14-2007
Neil,
you're annoying.
With Love,
Pete
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Matt J said 3:55PM on 9-14-2007
Yeah, but none of them are that thin, stylish, or have iTunes.
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Tom said 3:59PM on 9-14-2007
@ Neil Christie:
It always intrigues me to read comments from people who don't read the post properly. The OP did not state at any point that the new Nano WAS ground breaking in being so small and being able to play video. He simply stated that, "the folks I've shown it to have been stunned that a video playing device could be so thin".
The other thin video devices you refer to, although available, are not as mainstream as the iPod. Unless people are audiophiles or tech guys, they will not necessarily know that these other devices exist. The iPod has become the defining name of our generation, just as Hoover was for our parents/grandparents.
Oh, and why post about supposed "Apple Blinkers" when you are the one reading an openly Apple fanatical weblog?
Regards
Tom
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Nik Fletcher said 3:58PM on 9-14-2007
Neil,
I make no presumptions of it being the first small video product out there. I will however, say it's the first ridiculously easy-to-use small video player. Just like the iPod original, I don't think its about creating a new market - it's about defining it. iPod + iTunes, for all the flak, is still the best combination IMHO - and that's coming from someone who's used *every* other type of player: Net MD, Zens, Nokia 5510 Music Phone, Handhelds, everything. Nothing comes close.
5cents,
I've been at TUAW a few weeks now, joining from Download Squad (where I also write), so if that's the criteria for 'new blogger', I'm new :-)
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/08/23/well-hello-there/
Thanks guys,
Nik
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DarleenMB said 3:59PM on 9-14-2007
So, Neil, put your money where your mouth is and name a few.
As for me, I'm DROOLING over the new Nano and definitely have the green one on my wish list.
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Tom said 4:00PM on 9-14-2007
Nik, you beat me to it by a few moments :-)
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Klemens said 4:01PM on 9-14-2007
Yes, indeed a very good article. I'd like to read more of this quality.
Cheers.
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Billy K said 4:16PM on 9-14-2007
I just finally got to the Apple Store today - the first time since the big iPod announcements - and I've got to say, the new nanos are very impressive. They are insanely thin. (Strange that Apple seems to be the only company that really places a premium on "thin-ness." It's like certain manufacturers think that since most promo photos are taken head-on, that extra dimension doesn't matter. Grab yourself a handful of Zune and the difference is pretty apparent.)
I really do think the form factor is strange, though. I'm still very much in love with my 1G white nano - I like the tall and skinny.
Here's hoping the new nano (a seriously great deal at $149) sells a bajillion. It's an awesome player.
P.S. For those asking, Nik is the new guy who's a great writer, but a very recent Mac-convert.
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supersalo said 4:20PM on 9-14-2007
I'm more curious to know if the video screen scratches as easily as the last-gen video iPod....
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Nik Fletcher said 4:20PM on 9-14-2007
Billy,
By recent Mac-convert, I assume you mean '3 year Mac user'?
;-)
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Scott said 4:22PM on 9-14-2007
I've had my red 8GB new nano for two days now, but I completely agree with the shock and wonder that a device so small and elegant can hold so much and play video, too. Apple really needs to make a commercial showing these floating in air, from a side view, with hands or paperbacks or something in frame to show the real tininess and thinness of this model. I have the same childlike smile every time I pull it out that I had when I first got my 2G iPod back in 2003 (and that was a brick by comparison!) I loved my blue 6GB iPod mini, but I'm quickly developing an equal fondness for this nano.
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TripB said 4:32PM on 9-14-2007
Thanks for the post. I agree w/most of your comments. I have had the new Nano (8GB, Black) for a week, and I'm in love with the thing. It appears that I'm in the minority in that I LOVE the new design. I personally think it's the most proportionate, sleek, and elegant iPod design yet, second only to the new iPod Touch. Apple's designers really deserve huge praise for this.
The display of the new Nano is really what makes my jaw drop. It really is a remarkable sight, and watching video on it is a pleasure, especially considering it's portability!
LOVE IT!
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Phil said 4:34PM on 9-14-2007
I'm more interested in an iPhone than a Nano, but they still are pretty cool looking.
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Billy K said 4:43PM on 9-14-2007
Nik -
Oops! Sorry! I mistook you for the new guy...whose name I apparently don't know after all - who annoucned himself last week and was going to focus on "switcher"-type posts.
My apologies!
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