Customer Reviews

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Blue (6th Generation) NEWEST MODEL

5 star:		(495)
4 star:		(196)
3 star:		(92)
2 star:		(100)
1 star:		(180)

 

 

The iPod Nano update on September 1, 2010 is arguably the most dramatic since the iPod Nano moniker was introduced by Apple five years ago.

Several colors are being offered in both 8 GB & 16 GB capacities.

More than an update, this is a new product that simply retains the iPod Nano name. It gains a significant feature, but loses several 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 select a category from the Nano's menu such as "Playlists," or "Artists," and select from there. Less convenient or more convenient than a click wheel? Honestly, about equal. The screen is indeed small, but not unusable.

FM Radio has been retained as well as the Fitness aspects with the ability to use Nike + or simply the built in pedometer. However, the form factor will be a major benefit for those working out with the Nano. The previous Nano required an armband to keep it on you while working out, jogging, or the like. Not always comfortable, an additional expense, etc. However, with this new small, square form factor that need is gone. Now, we can simply "clip," the Nano onto us, with the built in clip, and run to our listening content. A bigger deal than you might think.

The downside? Features have been removed from Nano. The screen is much smaller than the previous generation. Therefore, playback of video content from iTunes is gone. Nano no longer plays video, which was a feature added three years ago. Secondly, last year, Nano added a small video camera to record low quality video, which could be played back 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 exciting new features, but buyers must be aware that it is no longer a video player. It is something new. Those wishing to play video on an iPod must choose 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 larger, it was simply too small to enjoy 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 basis. It became a feature unused by many.

The iPod Nano has changed and gone back to being an exceptional music player. There is nothing here you do not need to enjoy music. However, the display and touch interface brings the 21st century "touch," that Apple has made so popular to a more affordable device. The touch function will be limited here to simply selecting songs or bringing up the clock, but nevertheless, touch has made its way to the Nano.

I'm most thankful that the Nano has indeed retained the DOCK CONNECTOR. The dock connector is key to use with iPod accessories such as docks, speaker docks, and built in car iPod connectors. The nano is so diminutive that if you plug it into the factory iPod kit of an automobile, the cable's dock connector will look nearly bigger than the Nano itself. Not a negative, just amusing. Nevertheless, the dock connector is there, and you will be able to use the device in such applications, and that was a significant decision by Apple. Users want and need the dock connector. It is there on this iPod Nano, but still missing from the Shuffle due to its even more diminutive size.

This 16 GB version is the largest size Apple offers in the Nano. It offers no additional functionality over the 8GB, but features twice the storage. Choose the one best for you. 16 GB is great if you have a large music collection. We should all remember though that with Nano no longer doing Video or Storing Pictures, the storage is exclusively for music. This makes 8 GB and 16 GB more appropriate size offerings as music takes up much less storage than video.

Overall, Apple has removed video (both playback and recording) from this iPod Nano. However, it's an equalling good music player. Navigation of music is now completed via touch, which works effectively despite the small screen. It's 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 first time and see it's size yet primary function as an effective music player retained. The newest Nano brings a nearly Shuffle like size, but yet retains the functionality (touch, clip, dock connector) that serious music lovers and those who use the Nano while working out, demand.

But it's not a Nano. Once you get that, the rest is easy. It's also a bit of a mixed bag.

**Update** (10/11) Version 1.2 Software Update released that

- includes an option for Large icons (but no large fonts)
- allows the Fitness/Nike+ app to now work without an add-on device
- includes more Clock faces & Wallpapers

Price is also dropped by $20 (8 GB), or $30 (16GB).

However, the hardware didn't receive any notable changes- just new sourcing of some parts. So, no true '7G Nano' for now... Apple apparently considers the Software Update & price drop to be a '6.5G Nano' refresh of sorts. Fair enough. ***

**Update** (02/11) Version 1.1 Software Update released that

1) Finally allows users to turn the Nano COMPLETELY OFF by holding down the Wake/Sleep button. No more 'it only goes to sleep'.

2) Sets the Wake/Sleep button as a 'Next Song' button. Double-click it to advance through your songs or radio presets.

This change improves battery life too- from AWFUL, to merely poor (5-6 hrs) - as you're now less dependent on the power-gobbling touchscreen to advance songs.

Due to these improvements, I'm upping my review rating to 3 stars (battery life & pricing remain issues).

End Updates. ***

A lot of ppl are confused about the radical re-invention of the Nano, not realizing that the Nano is, essentially, dead. The Nano's mission was to be a compact player that still did some higher-end stuff such as video and picture-taking-- a nice portable 'media' player. No more.

The new Nano, aka Super Shuffle, is focused on a different task entirely, and much the same one as the regular Shuffle- the gym. To that end, Apple radically reduced the size and gave it an integrated clip on back a la the regular Shuffle. It is now 'wearable', and is the 'Shuffle with a screen' that some have wanted for a long time.

The downside is that others loved the 'true' Nano, and now they can't have one, unless they go running for the old 5th gen models before they're gone. Some will wonder why this was an 'either/or' thing for Apple, i.e. couldn't the Super Shuffle and 'true Nano' have existed side-by-side?

Still others might say the Super Shuffle is inadequate even for the gym. "I don't want to look at a SCREEN to switch songs or change the volume. Lame!", they'll say.

But to be fair, you usually don't HAVE to look at the screen, because

- The Super Shuffle has physical volume buttons. They're small, but still easy to use. And as of the 1.1 Software Update, you can double-click the Wake/Sleep button to advance songs/stations- a MUCH needed improvement.
- It has the 'Shake To Shuffle' feature- literally shake it to shuffle to next song. But as implemented, STS 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 are NOT included (Apple either wants another $30, or still hasn't solved the sweat/moisture issues those 'phones have had in the past).

So, some caveats aside, the 6G Nano/SS now works fine in its role as a 'gym' Shuffle with a screen.

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 halfway decent reception area. Even low-power college stations tend to come in clean- a BIG plus, since they usually have more innovative music programming than commercial FM.

It also retains the 30-pin dock connector, so you have access to the universe of iPod accessories (for a few examples, see 'iPod Nano 6G Docking Options' on YouTube). This is all well and good.

So MY BEEF with the Super Shuffle (aside from the battery life) isn't that it killed the 'true' Nano -enough demand = they'll bring it back- but rather, the level of 'milking it' Apple's gone with here. While I own/use one, it just isn't worth an additional $100 MORE than a regular Shuffle.

They do much the same thing, after all- the features it adds to the Shuffle are fairly minor (for example, ever try to get consistent FM reception inside a large concrete building, aka your typical gym? Best be at the window).

Sure, you get the touchscreen, which is sharp/clear, fun to use, and almost eerily resistant to smudges/fingerprints (nice). But said screen is also REALLY small - going larger would've made it less 'wearable' - which compromises text readability and ease-of-use ('fat fingers syndrome'). And it scarfs WAY too much battery juice (see notes @end of review).

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

All in all, the advantages don't add up to the price charged/value provided. You can buy 2-3 regular Shuffles for the same money.

A 4GB model for $99 would've made sense. Hitting that price point next time out would be great, as that's about what a 'Super Shuffle' is really worth. Sure, a Shuffle with a screen is COOL- just not cool enough to justify $150 (as I found out).

I do want to dig ya Super Shuffle, but the pricing/value-for-money is your Kryptonite. =[ Also, as mentioned, battery life is poor (see below) and there's some minor bugs/interface issues (also see below).

To be fair, with the 1.1 Software Update finally making song-advancement easy, and the recent price drop, Apple HAS been working on the Nano's weaknesses. But some things won't improve 'til the HARDWARE actually gets changed- namely, it desperately needs more battery. And while the recent price drop is welcome, you'd need to drop another $30 before it'd be priced in-line for what it is. With those changes, the Super Shuffle/Nano would be an out-of-the-ballpark home run.

But Apple wanted it supermodel-thin, and the profit margins fat. The result is something pretty, expensive, and high-maintenance.
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Note #1 (Colors): The casing colors are more muted than they appear in the pics. For example, the blue Nano is a smoky, very pale blue in person. The exception is the Product Red model (only in Apple Stores): it's a VERY vivid red in real life. But the other, more subtle colors aren't bad, and are arguably more 'grown up'.

Note #2 (Battery Life): This is VERY dependent on how much you use the touchscreen. Playing around with it lots- which is exactly what you'll do when you first get one- just KILLS the batt juice. No way around it: the touchscreen, while fun, is a HUGE BATTERY HOG. =[

The screen sleep behavior aggravates the problem, by keeping the screen lit for far too long after a touch. This is NOT changeable in Settings either.

Thus I HIGHLY RECOMMEND putting the screen to sleep MANUALLY via the Wake/Sleep button EVERY time you're done touchscreening- don't let the screen turn itself off, it's VERY SLOW to do so. Your battery life will thank you.

Also, Apple's claimed 'UP TO 24 hours of battery life' seems to refer to just playing music, with no screen usage. NOT realistic, since you do have to use the screen at times. Be especially careful with the touchscreen radio tuner- taking too much time looking for that 'perfect' station = pure battery kryptonite. (Tip: Set up your radio presets. Turn off Live Pause too, some ppl report battery issues w/it).

Even being careful, you'll avg around 5-6 hrs of battery life, real-world. Be aware that the Battery Life icon is VERY schizo- 1st usage after a charge may read as taking NO battery, while a similar but later use can read as taking HALF the battery. You'll be recharging frequently regardless. Reducing Screen Brightness may help slightly.

Note #3 (Bugs, Interface issues): i.e. 'Things I hope Apple fixes in future Software Updates'.

- Some touchscreen controls need to be up-sized. I have only medium-sized hands, and yet still hit the wrong control often with my now suddenly 'fat' fingers.

- In low-but-usable radio signal areas, you'll often get erroneous 'No Radio Signal- Please plug in headphones' messages. I get these WITH my 'phones plugged in, on stations that are coming in a bit quietly but otherwise fine.

- When using the Wake/Sleep button to advance songs, the volume will sometimes jump up to MUCH louder for a moment (may be a weird interaction with Volume Limit, which I use).

- If you set the text to 'White on Black' in Accessibility (which improves contrast/readability/looks cool), all icons & wallpapers get turned into strange photo negatives of themselves. Whaa? If this is an OS limitation, then Apple should at least provide some 'negative' wallpapers/icons that look good with the feature turned on.

- The Battery Life Icon and Time should be visible on ALL screens (such as 'Now Playing'). Having to nav back or 'hold down to jump to Home screen' is annoying and wastes time/battery.

- 'Shake To Shuffle' needs help. Technique-wise it's too iffy, and since STS only works with the screen ON (Apple fears accidental triggerings), it's inconvenient to use, as you have to hit the button, THEN shake.

- The 1.1 & 1.2 Software Updates were great, and Apple deserves props. But they still need a 1.3, with a focus on power-saving.

Note #4 (Protecting Your Hearing): Volume Limit in Settings is your friend. Correct procedure: Set your max volume limit w/it while in a QUIET room. At the gym, noisy treadmills/equipment can easily make you crank your volume to the point of causing PERMANENT hearing damage, given enough exposure time.

Volume Limit is a hearing-saver. Use it.

With the announcement of the new Apple TV, and now the release of the drastically revised iPod Nano, it would appear that Apple is in the process of re-evaluating its product line and re-tooling the entries to match what it perceives to be the needs of the consumer.

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

The Nano, I believe, follows the same path.

I have an iPhone and and the new Nano. I also have the previous 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 currently do on my iPhone. These removed features were worthless to me and will not be missed.

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

Apple has apparently moved away from the "same feature set, different design" view and has moved to "what's best for the intended useage?" model. They now have a mature line of music players, each with a clear and intended purpose.

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

The Touch is the top of the line universal player and application machine. Not intended for exercise, but rather for those who don't have an iPhone but want its best features.

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

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

And finally the Nano. Not the universal player anymore. Not the smaller iPod Classic, like its predecessors were. The Nano seems to be targeted to the highly mobile exercise crowd. The Nano is really only good for playing music, which, along with the Shuffle, make it the only "pure" iPod left. If you want a music player, and you want more than 2GB or storage, but you don't need apps or video or games because all you want to do is listen to music, than the Nano seems ideal. It fails when we try to make it something is clearly not intended to be. And for those who grieve at the loss of the features, I am sure Apple's answer is that "you really want a Touch." They're right, too. The days of the Nano needing to be a stripped down Touch or Classic vanished the day the Touch was released.

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

I strongly recommend you do not buy this iPod.

I bought it to replace my much loved 3G Nano, recently lost at Boston Logan. At first, the 6G Nano appealed because of it's cool appearance and compact size. But actual use quickly proved this is an inferior product well below Apple's usual high standards.

1) The battery life is abysmal. I could never get over 10 hours of play time, and that's at half volume and barely using the screen. Apple advertises 24 hours. Do a web search and you'll find many people with this complaint.

2) Ergonomically, this thing is a disaster. Where to begin?...
- The multitouch screen has no place on a device this small and intended for sports. It's touchy, and requires considerable attention to operate because of its tiny size, and usually needs two hands to use (one to hold the unit and the other to work the screen). Though Apple portrays it as ideal for sports, the need to focus on the screen and use two hands makes it supremely inconvenient when you are doing most athletic activities. In contrast, the click-wheel Nanos could easily be worked one handed.
- By its very nature, the touch screen requires more taps and gestures to achieve the same result as the click-wheel.
- The screen is not bright enough to be used in sunlight, again conflicting with its advertising as being great for use during sports.
- The shape, even down to the clip, is so symmetrical, it is not easy to determine the orientation just by feel. This makes using the clip problematic because it is easy to press on one side of it thinking that that's the opening side, when, in fact, it's not. Again, no touch annunciation.
- The tiny screen makes large playlists slow to navigate, and forces your attention to the screen while you do so. Once more, the design of the Nano does not make it easy to use it while doing something else (like running).

3) Others have pointed out that the feature set has been reduced compared to 5G, while the price has not. I'd consider it a fair trade if the design really lived up to its billing, and was functional and ergonomically friendly. As it is not, the value of this Nano is exceptionally poor.

The real disappointment is that the many failings of this device are mostly due to bad engineering and design, which is very unlike Apple. It also strikes me as having been the result of a focused effort to cut the cost of production of the Nano to an all-time low while somehow justifying keeping the retail price the same. In other words, corners were cut, polish was applied, and the result is a truly bad product.

Another reviewer made a fantastic point when he calculated that the Amazon one-star ratings for the previous generation of Nano was only about 1% of the total ratings received, whereas one-star ratings for the 6G is over 20% of its total reviews.

Case closed. The Nano 6G went back to the Apple Store tonight for a refund.

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Edit: I bought a refurbished Nano 5G from the Apple Store. The difference between this and the 6G I returned is night and day. The 5G is so much easier to control, the larger shape is natural and comfortable in the hand yet still small enough to be unobtrusive, the screen is brighter, the battery life is substantially better - in short, this is a superior product in all respects except for the lack of a clip.

I stand firmly on my original review: the 6G Nano is by far the worst iPod Apple has ever made.

All anyone has to do is Google '6th Gen Nano review', and they will see a plethora of seemingly identical reviews blasting the newest generation of Nano for being so radically different from the previous models. I can sum up almost all of the negative reviews in one grammatically horrible sentence: features were removed, one has to look at the screen to operate the player rather than use the click wheel, no more camera/video recording, no more support for watching video, and yet it still costs the same as the older Nano. These are all pretty true statements, however, what people are failing to understand is that this is a completely new product- many of the so-called failings in these reviews are by comparison and really have little to do with the merits of the new Nano itself. I think it would be easy to counter most of the arguments that you see in these reviews, and it's amazing how so many of them are written by people who have not really used one of these Nanos, by suggesting that they spend the extra $50 or so dollars for the newest ipod touch which can take pictures, videos, has apps and games, all on a much bigger screen- albeit on a much larger device. Most of the negative reviews have made it clear that having a larger device is preferable to less features, and thus, I think the ipod touch would suit the critics much better than the tiny little marvel of technology that is this newest Nano. Besides, the line between the ipod Touch and Nano, with regards to both their price and size, have been steadily converging for years, and Apple must have realized this. So instead of another device that attempts to be the cheaper alternative to Touch, Apple has developed something new, the 6th Gen Nano. This new Nano is an extremely portable device which has attempted to combine some of the best audio features and touch screen controls of the Touch, with a form factor that is as small as the previous generation of shuffle. The result is a terrific combination of functionality and compactness that is unbelievably small, usable, and fun to use. And the sound is fantastic too (for an iPod).

So instead of making the same old review as the critics, please allow me to introduce the Nano from the standpoint of someone who has never used the previous generations of Nano. First of all, the things that attracted me the most were the size and the screen. The size is obviously perfect for heading out for a jog, and it's probably no coincidence that it has nearly the same size and shape as the previous Shuffle. I have an ipod touch, and honestly, I don't want to take a $400 device to the gym or into the classroom (I'm a teacher) only to have it disappear from my desk. The small size allows me to wear the Nano on a watchband, something that I would not do with the larger Touch and something that would've looked absurd with the 5th Gen. Nano. As a matter of fact, the Nano has a nice little clock display that makes for a nice watch if you wear it on the watchband. Additionally, I am one of those people who find small technology absolutely fascinating- the smaller, shinier and complicated it is, the more I love it. This Nano is a dream come true, it's a postage stamp sized touch, sans movies. But really, who would buy a media player to watch a movie on a 1.54 inch screen- in this respect I think Apple respects the intelligence of its customers by not trying to market this as a product that would obviously fail at that task.

The screen is great because of the controls- I love the touch controls on my Touch, it's what I'm used to, so I don't have this expectation of finding a scroll wheel on the front. The screen allows for a functional combination of display and control on such a small device. It has a very nice, bright display with high resolution and the touch control is very snappy with absolutely no lag or delay. Some people have stated that the screen is too small to be useful- I would have agreed had I bought this for watching movies or looking at pictures. However, as mentioned earlier, one could get a slightly more expensive Touch for those features and a much larger screen. Many of the critics have complained that in order to control the newest Nano, the user must look at the display- however, there is the Voice Over function which will literally tell you what you are touching. I can fumble around without looking, Voice Over tells me what buttons I'm touching, and then I double tap the button when I touch it. Really, it's not that complicated, at any given time there's only a maximum of 4 buttons on the screen. Oh, that's the right button- double tap, and there we go.

The audio quality is great for an ipod. To my untrained ear, it is louder than my Touch, and sounds just as clear or better through my Etymotics and Sennheisers. It has the same Equalizer presets as the touch, Genius playlists, playlists, well- pretty much all of the same audio features as the touch, including audio books. Oh, so now I don't have to carry a $400 device to listen to audio books! There's obviously the shake to shuffle feature too.

The little belt clip is nice, and like the Shuffle, keeps the Nano on securely. As a matter of fact, the Nano's case feels very sturdy and strong. The external buttons are easy to press and use- there are only 3 of them, and everything else is done via screen. Some people have complained that there isn't a 'home' button to take you back in the menu- however, when you first get started, the Nano tells you very explicitly that you need to swipe to the right to go back in the menu. Also, speaking of swiping, you can use two fingers to rotate the screen in any direction, meaning that the new Nano can be used in any orientation.

All in all, this Nano seemingly fulfills that niche in which function, small size and quality meet. I was looking for a small music player with some advanced features since I already have an ipod Touch that can play movies and games and apps, a Droid that can play movies, games, apps and make phone calls, a PSP and a DSi. I can use any of these devices for multimedia, but one thing they won't be is small. This is a device that gave up all the potential that comes from having a big screen to be a tiny and high tech music player. You won't be able to play games (yet) or watch movies (yet)on the touch screen, but that doesn't make the screen useless. The touchscreen is what allows for the impossibly small size, by combining the controls with the display.

Nano is a product for people who don't need or care about a movie player, but are instead looking for the Touch's music capabilities and Apple quality in a much smaller package. To that respect, I have to say that the new Nano hits the mark. It's already apparent that anyone expecting an updated Gen. 5 Nano with a new feature or two will be very disappointed. Judging by the reviews online and here in Amazon, and I think the criticism is fair- Apple has taken the smaller and more affordable alternative to the Touch and transformed it into something that is nearly a luxury item. If a user can accept the exchanging of features (some useful, some useless) for size and technology as a comparable trade-off, then the Nano will be perfect; as it is, the Nano is really a nice, nice little music player- it's fun to use, sounds great and is ultimately portable. At $179, some people would consider the Nano a little pricey (I bought mine for my birthday), then again, at $179 the 5th gen Nano was a little pricey, considering that a Touch was $50 more. That being said, I think many more people will try to justify to themselves the extra expenditure to upgrade to the touch, but that's probably what Apple is aiming for. I think this current incarnation of Nano represents a literal midpoint between the shuffle and the touch, both between function and price.

That's my review.
But just for fun I would also like to hypothesize for a second about what the critics would think, had Apple developed the Gen. 6 Nano last year and was now releasing the Gen 5. Nano.
Imagine that Apple has decided to release a new Nano that was twice as big and twice as heavy, with only 1/2 the battery life. This new Nano has a larger screen, a camera, and you can play games on it, however, Apple is going to do away with the touch screen for the simpler controls that ipods used 8 years ago. What would the critics think?

In case anyone actually reads this review, I understand that I've made a couple comments that don't seem to jive- for example, when I say that someone could buy a touch for $50 more than a nano, and yet my touch was $400. However, this is true, since I bought my 32 GB touch 2 years ago when it was $399 and today, someone can buy an 8GB touch for $229- exactly $50 more than the 16GB Nano.

Bought this for the Nike + feature...liked the idea of a music player built into a system to track my runs. The Nike + part of this unit worked great, easy to understand and easy to use....in fact I like it so much I am going back to my old mp3 player (creative product) and getting the nike sportsband so I can keep using the Nike + features. However I have sent back two different ipod nano units due to serious problems with the music component of this device.

1) This unit does not have a way to completely shut it off...only a sleep wake button. If you do not make absolutely sure that all music is stopped, the radio is off, this thing drains battery life very quickly because you cannot fully shut the unit off.

2) The headphone jack is not very secure...using the ipod's headphones and another set of headphones from a different mp3 player the cord came out easily, when the cord was jostled sound would cut in and out making listening to the music annoying. Also becuase the radio antenna is the headphones it was constantly losing radio reception or unable to locate stations.

3) Volume control seems like it would be easy with buttons on the side..however on the units I tried the volume would lock itself to either no sound at all or set so loud I could only keep one port in one ear. I like to be able to adjust volume as I am running or working out based on the song, the environment, etc...not very happy with how difficult it was to deal with the volume.

4) When I could get radio reception and made sure not to jostle the cord (sitting down outside) the unti shut itself off after 60 seconds unless I kept hitting icons on the unit. It didn't do this when I was playing from my songlists...just in the radio mode.

5) When you want to shuffle a song while running...you have to wake the unit up then either figure out where on the screen to tap (without getting your sweaty fingers all over the unit and without tripping as you look at the screen) or shake until hopefully the device realizes you are trying to change songs (I was not very impressed with the shake to shuffle feature).

6)This device does not come with a manual...you have to go to the apple page to get the manual and download it. Customer service was useless. THank goodness for Amazon's amazing return procedures!

I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't play every time I was ready to listen to my music. The battery never stayed charged as you cannot turn it off completely. What good is that -- how can you move around the office, or wherever, when you're tied to a cord? Really dumb thinking on the designer's part.

I have to be honest, I was nervous about getting this in the first place, and for good reason.The screen is too small, first of all. It doesn't record video, and has terrible service for the radio! Trust me guys, I also own the 5th generation nano, a real nano, and you'd be better off getting one of those! This is not the way apple should go with the new nanos! Please hear my pleas Apple! This shouldn't even be called a nano. Why not give it a new name, and contine making the nano, the way a nano should be. If something is a touch screen, then it definately needs to be a little larger. It's not easy to see what's going on in there. Why would apple even make this a touch screen with it's size? I tought it was going to be a little larger, due to it being a touch screen...WRONG! This has to be a failed project for apple! Going in the wrong direction, If you want something this small.. Go and buy the original shuffle! It's cheaper, and overall better for the money! If anything this new nano, should at least be cheaper! No way it's worth over $120. Don't get ripped off, buy a real nano!

Why would one want this?

With the 5th generation (or any earlier) nano, you could operate it with eyes closed.
Or (more importantly) in your pocket.

With this version, Apple removed the incredibly useful tactile feedback that made prior players so comfortable.
And usable by the vision-impaired.

Removal of the video & voice recording functionality is simply kicking the consumer when they're down.

I'd prefer a 1st generation shuffle (the best, IMHO) over this pathetic nano offering.

My 14-year-old son (quite rightly) refers to this model as a shuffle with a screen, and has no interest in it.

It speaks for itself that new 5th generation iPod nano players now command a hundred dollar premium over the list price of the 6th generation models.

In a way, I understand what Apple are trying to do with the latest nano - get back to basics.

In the last couple of years, they've added features to the nano which weren't really improvements, just additions. The nano's main purpose as a take-anywhere music player was muddied by other features that didn't really fit. The screen was not really big enough to watch TV shows or movies on it. The video camera was simply not hi-res enough to be competitive or useful. As I've said in other reviews, it seemed that these features were added not because they made the nano a better product, but just because Apple could add them.

With the latest nano, Apple has stripped away all those extra features, and gone back to trying to make a best-in-class take-anywhere music player. Great idea. Unfortunately, they failed in two respects - the execution of that idea, and the price.

The two main design changes in this nano are the smaller screen, and the replacement of the click wheel with a touchscreen (with buttons for volume). Both of these changes make the product less successful as an on-the-go music player than previous models.

Having a smaller screen makes it harder to find songs - only a few lines can be displayed at a time. On a purely aesthetic note, having the mix of icons and menus in the user interface is more cumbersome and less clean that the purely menu-based UI of previous models. Not a big deal, but Apple's appeal has traditionally been their sense of aesthetics.

Removing the click wheel is a serious misstep. The click wheel made it easy to adjust the volume, scan back and forth within a track, or move between tracks in a playlist or album *without taking the player out of your pocket*. You didn't have to look at the player; just dip your hand into a pocket, quickly find the click wheel by feel, and make the adjustment. You can't do that with the new nano. While superficially cool, the touch screen makes the new nano harder to use than its predecessors.

Finally, the price. Apple is charging the same price as the previous model nano, for the same amount of storage. In essence, we lose the extraneous features in order to pay for the touch screen. I would accept that trade-off if the touch screen better served the nano's core function as a portable music player. But it does not.

I'm giving the new nano three stars because, despite being a step down from previous models, it's still a pretty good music player.

But in paring down the nano back to its primary function, Apple also made design changes that make it perform that function less well, and then charged us for them. Far from being an improvement, the new nano is a disappointment.