Apple iPod nano 16

Capacity: 16 GB  Color: Graphite

1,079 of 1,105 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars Nano Gains Touch, Loses Video Playing & Recording, September 6, 2010
By Steve H “books911″ (U.S.) See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Apple iPod nano 16 GB Blue (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL (Electronics) The iPod Nano update on September 1, 2010 is arguably the most dramatic since the iPod Nano moniker was presented by Apple five years ago.

Several colors are offered in both eight GB & 16 GB capacities.

More than an update, this is a new product that simply keeps the iPod Nano name. It gains a important feature, but loses some number of others.

The big deal is the touch interface on the newest iPod Nano. IPod Nano users will now be “touching,” their music as iPod Touch and iPhone users have before them. The click wheel is gone. To find your music, you choose a group from the Nano’s menu like “Playlists,” or “Artists,” and choose from there. Less convenient or more convenient than a click wheel? Honestly, about equal. The screen is indeed small, but not unusable.

FM Radio was retained also as the strength parts with the capability to use Nike + or simply the fitted pedometer. But, the form factor will be a big benefit for those working out with the Nano. The last Nano obliged an armband to keep it on you while working out, jogging, or the like. Not generally comfy, an extra expense, etc. But, with this new small, square form factor that need is gone. Now, we can simply “clip,” the Nano onto us, with the fitted clip, and run to our listening content. A bigger deal than you may think.

The downside? Features have been removed from Nano. The screen is much smaller than the last generation. So, playback of video content from iTunes is gone. Nano not plays video, which was a feature added three years ago. Also, last year, Nano added a small video camera to record low quality video, which may be played on the Nano’s screen or synced with iTunes and viewed on your computer. That feature is gone too. The device is too small now for a camera or to watch video. This new generation iPod Nano has many thrilling new features, but purchasers must be aware that it’s not a video player. It’s something new. Those wishing to play video on an iPod must decide an iPod Touch.

My opinion on this change? Honestly, did I ever watch video on the iPod Nano’s screen? No. For me, while they kept trying to make the screen bigger, it was simply too small to take pleasure in more than a once a year video. Likewise, the camera was simply not high enough quality to keep yourself entertained by using on a regular base. It became a feature unused by many.

The iPod Nano changed and gone back to being an exceptional music player. There’s nothing here you don’t have to enjoy music. But, the display and touch interface brings the 21st century “touch,” that Apple has made so liked to a more cheap device. The touch function will be restricted here to simply selecting songs or bringing up the clock, but still, touch has made its way to the Nano.

I’m most thankful that the Nano indeed retained the DOCK CONNECTOR. The dock connector is key to use with iPod accessories like docks, speaker docks, and fitted car iPod connectors. The nano is so diminutive that if you plug it into the factory iPod kit of an car, the cable’s dock connector will look almost bigger than the Nano itself. Not a negative, just funny. Still, the dock connector is there, and you’ll be able to use the device in such applications, and that was a important choice by Apple. Users want and need the dock connector. It’s there on this iPod Nano, but still missing from the Shuffle caused by its more diminutive size.

This 16 GB variant is the biggest size Apple offers in the Nano. It offers no extra functionality over the 8GB, but features twice the storage. Decide the one best for you. 16 GB is great if you have a big music collection. We should all remember though that with Nano not doing Video or Storing Pictures, the storage is entirely for music. This makes eight GB and 16 GB more proper size offerings as music takes up less storage than video.

Overall, Apple removed video (both playback and recording) from this iPod Nano. But, it is an equalling good music player. Navigation of music is finished via touch, which works effectively in spite of the small screen. It is really hard to believe so much can fit into such a small device and I believe everyone will be a bit shocked when they open up the Nano the 1st time and see it is size still main function as an efficient music player retained. The newest Nano brings a almost Shuffle like size, but still keeps the functionality (touch, clip, dock connector) that serious music lovers and those who use the Nano while working out, demand.

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887 of 948 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of five stars LOOK! Up in the SKY! it is a BIRD! it is a PLANE! No, it is. SUPER SHUFFLE!, September 8, 2010
By Your Role Model (from parts unknown) See all my reviews () This review is from: Apple iPod nano eight GB Graphite (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL (Electronics) But it is not a Nano. Once you get that, the rest is easy. It is also some a mixed bag.

A lot of ppl are perplexed about the radical re invention of the Nano, not realizing that the Nano is, generally, dead. The Nano’s mission was to be a reasonably compact iPod that still did many higher end stuff like video and picture taking a nice movable ‘media’ player. No more.

The new Nano, aka Super Shuffle, is focused on a different task completely, and much the same one as the regular Shuffle. The gym. To that end, Apple drastically reduced the size and gave it an integrated clip a la the regular Shuffle. It’s now ‘wearable’, and is just the Shuffle with a screen that many wanted for a long time.

The downside is that others did love the ‘true’ Nano, and now they can not have one, unless they go running for the old fifth gen models before they are sold out. So the Super Shuffle will be disliked by many no matter what, as it ‘killed’ the player they loved. =

Others will say the Super Shuffle is inadequate for the gym. “I do not want to look at a screen to switch songs or change the volume. Lame!”, they will say.

To be just though, you do not generally have to look at the screen, because

The Super Shuffle has physical volume buttons. They are small, but still easy to use. No physical ‘Next Song’ button, though.
It has the ‘Shake To Shuffle’ feature. Literally shake it to shuffle to another song. But STS, as implemented, is inconvenient to use see notes @end of review.
It supports VoiceOver. But, to use all VO features requires the Apple Earphones With Remote & Mic, which aren’t included (Apple either wants another $30, or they still have not solved the sweat/moisture issues those ‘phones had in the past).

So that said, the 6G Nano will work adequately as a ‘gym’ Shuffle with a screen though it may be LOTS more convenient still. A ‘Next Song’ button next time, Apple?

Features wise, it does photo viewing (but not taking), audiobooks, podcasts (minus any video), voice memos (w/the optional ‘phones w/Remote & Mic), is a pedometer, and does FM radio besides. And radio stations do sound amazingly clear in any decent reception area. Low power college stations typically come in well a certain plus, as they frequently have more groundbreaking music programming than commercial FM.

The Nano also keeps the 30 pin dock connector, so you can access the universe of iPod accessories (for some examples, check out ‘iPod Nano 6G Docking Options’ on YouTube). This is all well and good.

So MY BEEF with it is not that it ‘killed’ the Nano (enough unhappy ppl = they will make another ‘true Nano’ in the future), but rather the level of ‘milking it’ Apple’s gone with here. Exactly, while I own and (almost) like it, the Super Shuffle just is not worth an extra $100 130 MORE than a regular Shuffle.

They do much the same thing, after all the extra features are pretty minor in nature (for example, ever attempt to get consistent FM reception inside a big concrete building, aka your common gym? Best be near a window.)

Sure, you do get the touchscreen, which is sharp/clear, fun to use, and eerily tolerant to smudges & fingerprints (nice). But said touchscreen is really small (going bigger would’ve sacrificed ‘wearability’) and sucks WAY too much battery juice (see notes @end of review).

And yes, you do get 6GB more storage than the Shuffle (though that cost Apple about $10 to put in there). But a ‘gym’ Shuffle does not really have to hold 2,000 songs (4,000 if you choose the 16GB), nor does the tiny screen lend itself well to navving through all that. The capacity and price points are really Nano legacies, but as we all know, this ain’t a Nano.

All in all, the benefits do not add up to the price charged, by value provided to most users. You may be able to purchase THREE regular Shuffles for the same money.

Apple probably should’ve offered a 4GB model for $99 to $129. Hitting that price point next time could be a good goal, as that is about what a ‘Super Shuffle’ is really worth. And as well as the Headphones w/Remote & Mic (as they did with the last gen Shuffle), or better still, put a physical ‘Next Song’ button right on the player, could be a BIG winning move that could make the Super Shuffle much easier/better to use at the gym. Its meant mission.

Here’s hoping we see that, and a new ‘true’ Nano once the seventh gen rolls around. Sure, a Shuffle with a screen is cool just not cool enough to justify shelling out $150 180. As I discovered.

I really want to dig ya, Super Shuffle, but the price and lack of convenient song switching at the gym are your Kryptonite. =\

The battery life is ‘touchy’ (see below) and pretty disappointing, and there are some minor bugs & interface issues (also see below).

UPDATE: Just got bit by a bug. My SS/Nano could endlessly loop the same song over and over again. A Restore to Factory Settings fixed it, but still. Weird.
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Note #1 (Colors): If you purchase one of these online, be aware that the color casings are paler/more muted than they appear in pics. The blue one, as an example, is a smoky, pale blue in person. Exemption is the Product Red model (which is Apple Store only) it is a vivid red in real life. But the more understated colors on the other models are nice enough, and arguably more ‘grown up’.

Note #2 (Battery Life): The batt life on the 6G Nano is very reliant on how much you use the touchscreen. Playing around with the screen a ton which is EXACTLY what you will do when you 1st get one just kills the batt juice. No way around it: the touchscreen, while fun, is a big battery hog. =/

The screen sleep behavior compounds the problem, by keeping the screen on far too long after a touch. This isn’t changeable in Settings either.

Thus, I greatly RECOMMEND putting the screen to sleep MANUALLY via the Wake/Sleep button EVERY time you are done touchscreening do not let the screen turn itself off, it is slow to do so. Your battery life will thank you.

You may have amassed by now that Apple’s claimed ‘UP TO 24 hours of battery life’ mentions just playing music, with zero T screen handling. But in REAL WORLD use, 24 hrs is impossible, since you DO have to use the screen on occasion. Oh, and playing around lots with the (touchscreen) radio tuner to find that ‘perfect’ station is just pure battery kryptonite (Tip: Set up your radio presets early. Turn off Live Pause too many ppl report batt life issues with it).

For myself, doing 90 minute workouts with average T screen handling and a mix of radio & regular music, I take 20 30 off the battery on average. But ‘on average’ is hard to judge, because the battery life display is pretty schizo first handling after a charge may read as taking 5 10 off the battery, when a alike but afterward handling can read as taking HALF the battery. Bottom line: Yes, you will be recharging usually.

Reducing the Screen light in Settings may help somewhat.

Note #3 (Bugs, Interface issues): i.E. ‘Things I hope Apple fixes in a Software Update, if they are listening’.

In low but usable radio signal regions, you will get lots of erroneous ‘No Radio Signal plug in headphones’ messages. I get these WITH my headphones plugged in, listening to a station that is coming in a bit silently but just good. =

MANY ppl blame the bad battery life on the lack of an OFF button/command. Well, the player does turn ITSELF off after 36 hrs of sleep. And throughout sleep, it uses little power it is really the TOUCHSCREEN that is the batt life culprit. But as well as an OFF menu command could remove many of worries.

If you set the text to ‘White on Black’ in Accessibility (which improves contrast/looks cool), all touchscreen icons get turned into strange photo negatives of themselves. The wallpaper too. Whaa?

I keep wanting to be able to DOUBLE TAP THE SCREEN to wake it from sleep. Apple’s worried you’d then accidentally turn the screen on, but it is hard to accidentally double tap. And if it were a Settings choice, you could generally turn it off. It is just tedious to generally have to hit the Wake/Sleep button before doing anything, it feels unintuitive/slow to go ‘button, THEN touch.’ =

The Battery Life icon and Time should be observable on ALL screens (such as ‘Now Playing’). Having to nav back, or ‘hold down to jump to Home screen’ is annoying/slow and wastes power.

As mentioned, the backlight power saving needs work the screen’s still partly lit a full MINUTE after a touch (20 secs is plenty). And again, this is not changeable.

The ‘Shake To Shuffle’ feature needs many rethinking. 1st off, it is iffy ’til you figure out the technique two short, FAST shakes in any direction, with the screen ON (1 can work, but the is lower).

Many gym ppl/runners will not like this though. They will wish STS worked with the screen OFF, so they can just reach over and shake w/out having to do a no look Wake/Sleep button jab. Apple’s worried about accidental triggerings, but you’d want to see a better solution than this.

And this is another example of the Super Shuffle’s klunky ‘hit Wake/Sleep button, THEN do something else’ interface logic. With the regular Shuffle, it is click a button and you are done one action.

Here’s hoping Apple can make many enhancements via future Software Updates. The Super Shuffle may be good, just needs many love.

Note #4 (Protecting Your Hearing): Volume bound in Settings is your friend. Correct procedure: Set up your max volume bound with it while in a calm room. At the gym, noisy treadmills/equipment/etc can make you crank your volume to the point of causing permanent hearing damage not a happy result. Volume bound is a hearing saver. Use it.

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158 of 178 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars Nano is part of Apple’s new plan ., September 9, 2010
By Bob Penn See all my reviews This review is from: Apple iPod nano eight GB Graphite (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL (Electronics) With the announcement of the new Apple TV, and now the release of the significantly modified iPod Nano, it could appear that Apple is in the procedure of re evaluating its product line and re tooling the entries to go with what it perceives to be the needs of the buyer.

With the Apple TV, they have properly, I believe, simplified the complexity of the original offering, removed any notion of storage, which tended to mix up the average user, and prepared it for an app driven iOS future. They claimed these changes resulted from a close look at the handling of the current Apple TV, and that they made the changes they felt were required to more closely match what was wanted.

The Nano, I believe, follows the same path.

I have an iPhone and and the new Nano. I have the last generation Nano. I tend to agree with Apple: I never the older Nano once to watch a video. I never used the contacts, the calendar, nor did I play a game on the Nano. I bought it for jogging, I only used it for jogging.

All those things removed from the new Nano I now do on my iPhone. These removed features were worthless to me and won’t be missed.

But the Nano did do exactly what I wanted it to do: become smaller, and be easier to use. Though I’m to get used to a virtual pause button and a physical button on the older model, I find the new Nano to sound a little better and is less intrusive throughout running.

Apple has seemingly moved away from the “same feature set, different design” view and moved to “what’s best for the meant useage?” model. They now have a mature line of music players, each with a clear and meant function.

The Classic is for those who wish to carry their complete music collection with them.

The Touch is the top of the line common player and application machine. Not meant for exercise, but rather for those who do not have an iPhone but want its best features.

The iPhone, a Touch with a phone fitted. Same positioning as the Touch, but replaces your phone if you’re in the market for a phone.

The Shuffle: the low cost entry point into the Apple ecosystem. Most likely the only way Apple could offer any product under $100. With its small storage, and lack of screen, it appears to be generally a gateway device for many to enter the Apple world.

And the Nano. Not the common player anymore. Not the smaller iPod Classic, like its predecessors were. The Nano looks to be targeted to the greatly mobile exercise crowd. The Nano is really only good for playing music, which, with the Shuffle, make it the only “pure” iPod left. If you want a music player, and you want to have more than 2GB or storage, but you do not need apps or video or games because all you want to do is listen to music, than the Nano looks ideal. It fails when we attempt to make it something is obviously not meant to be. And for those who grieve at the loss of the features, I’m sure Apple’s answer is that “you really want a Touch.” they are right, too. The days of the Nano needing to be a stripped down Touch or Classic vanished the day the Touch has been released.

So, though not perfect, I think the design and meant use of the Nano fits in nicely into the Apple music player offerings.

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