Apple iPod Nano (third generation, 8GB, black)
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September 10, 2007 08:44
3.5/5
The podcast menu now shows how many episodes are available for each feed. When you select a podcast, the episodes are listed in reverse order, with the newest on top, and there doesn't seem to be any way to sort them chronologically. If you play the top (newest) one, it automatically continues on to the next, but this is annoying because they are playing out of order (backwards in time). I also couldn't find any way to just play one episode and then stop. -
October 26, 2007 07:23
Spectacular
2.5/5
I was amazed when I saw the new iPod Nano. I thought how could Apple go so wrong? Then the reviews came, touting it as the best player ever and I figured I needed to rethink it. So I did, and returned to my first impression.
The new Nano takes away all of the coolness and sleekness of the Nano 2nd Gen design, and replaces it with a "do it all" (well, except for recording and FM which for some reason Apple seems to refuse to put, despite it being standard on everything else).
With a reduced screen size over the "Classic" iPod, and of course less storage capacity, the Nano is really ill-suited for video use. The split screen "feature" removes any advantage that might have been possible with changing the menus to make use of the larger screen and instead relegates it to half screen and the old look (with the same quirks remaining).
Cover Flow is a novelty that I don't get why the reviewers gush over. Sure it is a cute toy and helps mask slow menus by entertaining you with animation. And on a desktop (in iTunes) it is not detrimental, but on a battery powered DAP it is either a waste of precious time and power, or completely ignored if you are the set it and forget it type (ie those that use it at the gym or for running).
Also the new wider size makes it much less attractive than the 2nd gen for those who exercise and like to have it strapped to their arms, but not wide enough for a screen that it worthwhile for those that want video.
Sound is sound and virtually all these devices sound relatively similar, so the only way to really evaluate sound is through a decent set up ear buds (which you will need to own, or purchase separately, as the trademark white one that come with the player is junk).
So is it a too small video iPod or a too wide exercises music device? It tries to be both, but ends up not being exactly right for either. -
September 10, 2007 08:30
4.5/5
We just purchased the 8gig in green this weekend. I'd like to start by saying this thing looks amazing, really the color is beautiful, it is very thin, the polished stainless back is gorgeous, it is nice rounded corners, well you get the picture!
The first impression when you look at it is it is very boxy, which unfortunately takes away from its ultra-thin form factor. In many ways it is smaller than the previous Nano but because of its shape it looks much bigger.
When you take it out of the box the first thing we noticed was it is surprisingly heavy and solid feeling. This is probably due to the stainless steel back and all metal face. It feels much more solid though, which is a good thing.
Playing videos on this Nano is amazing. The picture is incredibly sharp and bright. Much sharper and brighter than the video iPod.
CNET said the sound quality was not as good. I'm not sure why because I thought it was a significant improvement. Maybe it is just me.
All in all, terrific product. As I said before a bit too boxy but with the larger screen this may have been unavoidable. -
September 8, 2007 02:53
4.5/5
The iPod Nano third generation is a great product, but that's not to say it does not have "nano" sized issues. Before I write this know that I am very smitten with the new iPod Nano and it is a great product for any one who wants a small mp3 player. My three cons are from the small form factor because it is nice that it is small and thin, but a con because its width. The thing is just a tad too wide. If it was just the width of the screen it would be perfect but since its not, the width gets chalked up as a con. The Cover Flow is another issue I have. Since it is so small the processing is not that good and when you want to breeze through your album art, it lags quite a bit. Another beef I have with the cover flow is that when I try to port my own album arts to the iPod some of them show up as just black squares where the art would normally be.(If you know how to fix this could you please reply with an answer.) The Click Wheel is another minor issue because it is much thinner than the previous iPods and even if you have small fingers they still do not completely fill the click wheel space. With these small issues aside I find that the new iPod Nano is a big improvement over the last who generations and a must buy for any MP3 enthusiast. A+ -
September 9, 2007 05:55
Spectacular
2.5/5
I love my iPods and was so looking forward to a new release of iPod nano hoping for at least 10G preferrably 16G of storage plus longer battery life. But no, Apple bought out video and coverflow. If I want video I would go for the larger iPod Classic and coverflow I find is a novelty I can take or leave. For this the nano has given up its previous attractive svelte form.
Sorry for this gripe - its to vent my disappointment. -
September 27, 2007 10:15
Good
1.5/5
I already own a 2nd gen nano and when I went to the Apple store to check the new one out, I was less than impressed with it's features.
For one thing, it's too wide and didn't feel right in my hand where I could scroll using my thumb as easily as I could with the 2nd gen.
Also what's the point of having video on something this small? Buy a 30GB iPod if you want that. All the video will do is eat into battery life and force you to put it on the charging stand more often. If Apple really wanted to do a serious upgrade, they could have improved battery life from the previous nano instead of adding tiny split screen eye candy.
And the floating album cover art is useless to me. It takes up not only precious drive space but more battery power as well.
Sound is about the same as the previous nano so there's no improvement there, either.
Overall, I was unimpressed. -
September 12, 2007 09:18
Good
1.5/5
I love my 2G red 8GB player, and will not be replacing it. I went to an Apple store over the weekend and played with one for about an hour to see if I would get sucked in by the hype. My verdict was no.
The 2G player I have beats this one in every aspect:
- I don't need video (I have the 30GB player)
- Who cares about cover flow?
- Why release the same size capacity? I would have paid a lot more for a 10-16GB player with the same design.
- The shape reminds me of a stale graham cracker. The 2G shape feels much sleeker, and tactiley much more pleasing.
- Scroll wheel size is not good for someone with bigger fingers. I don't have Seinfeld "man hands" sized meat hooks, but I still didn't like the way it felt.
A ton of people will buy these because Apple gets to determine what is cool in the digital music world, and Steve Jobs is telling the masses this is the new "it" player to have. I didn't feel this was a must have player, and am very dissapointed. I though for sure the images on the web prior to the release had to be a joke.
It was cool, but definitely not cool enough in my opinion to convert to the next generation player (and I can get one for about $50). I just hope the people who buy them don't get hosed if a higher capacity player comes out in the next few months. -
September 9, 2007 02:04
4.0/5
Our family already owns a video iPod. I decided to get the new nano because I was sick of sharing the iPod video. Overall, I like it but I think it could be much better. I decided to get the 8 MB black model. The small profile was actually very surprising, especially finding out how thin it was. However, after attempting to sync it with our existing 30 GB iPOD video profile, I soon realized how small 8 MB really was. I had to customize my sync'ing parameters to make sure I did not exceed the memory limitations. This wasn't too unaccomodating considering I realized I did not need to download evey song, video, and photo from my computer (the fact I can do this on my iPod video is a testimony to how good the "classic" is). Probably the biggest disappointment is the fact I could not download the games from my video iPod to the new video enabled 3G iPod nano. Overall I am happy with the nano. However, if you have a lot of songs, video, and/or photos, I would recommend the classic over the nano.Updated
Okay, there are a couple of more negatives on this next gen iPod nano. One of my biggest complaint is the location of the headphone jack. It is on the bottom next to the sync port. This forces you to unplug your headphones in order to unplug your sync cable. It may not be a big deal to most, but being a lazy guy, I see no reason why they couldn't have put the headphone jack on the top. Another big complaint is the lack of backward compatibility with the video iPod. We purchased a bunch of games for the video iPod but they do not work on this new nano. Instead, I have to shell out more money. I would definitely recommend an iPod Classic. Yeah, its bigger but you get more for the money. -
September 10, 2008 06:11
Excellent
2.0/5
The nano has always been my Apple of choice as I prefer a small capable player, not something like the touch that is larger than my cell phone and not somthing like the usless shuffle. It's coming to the point that this is a product losing it's identity. Mostly I just can't get over the fact that like all Apple's, the battery is sub-par and features never seem to make it into this product generation after generation. -
February 4, 2008 11:57
Terrible
0.5/5
I know Mac is known for being for the computer savy only but this is just a music carrying device. It should be user friendly and is not. The iPod site says click on to music to use your own library. What ever happened to step my step directions? What happened to manuals coming with the product. Too much paper ojay a quick guide to use.
I really dislike this product and will encourage anyone who will listen not to purchase it!!!!!!!
