Review: iPod Nano 4G
- September 9th, 2008
- 8 Comments
If you don’t own a Nano, get one of these. If you do, you can probably do to wait. The improvements to this model are manifold but not amazingly compelling, especially considering we haven’t had much time to play with the genius features yet.
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Let me begin by saying that the updated hardware is quite incongruous. After the tall nano and the fat Nano, I can’t really wrap my head around the candy bar Nano. It’s almost exactly the same size as the 2G nano but is considerably thinner and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. But what improvements do we see?
The “shake to shuffle” feature is genius and should be in every iPhone and Touch. It’s an amazingly great little idea - I never listen to an album straight through anymore so shuffling is my go to function. The genius features are nice and the accelerometer is a nice addition, especially for the landscape video and picture viewing. In this iteration, the Nano is more like the Touch than the iPod. It doesn’t have a touchscreen and still has the scroll wheel so the marriage of new and old is a bit jarring.
Overall, it’s a great portable iPod but except for the Genius playlist I can’t see anything compelling in the upgrade. I’m fine for the fat and 2G Nano for running and there is nothing that encourages me to pick this up for video.
MB (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I never knew colors could be so intriguing. Just like when N64 came out with all the different color controllers. My brothers and I HAD to get them all.
Chris (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I’ve been looking at getting a new iPod as my video iPod is circling the drain. These new Nano’s and the improved UI definitely interest me.
Chris (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I’ve been looking at getting a new iPod as my video iPod is circling the drain. These new Nano’s and the improved UI definitely interest me.
KyleG (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Looks like Apple is really learning from their mistakes, the 3G was just an awkward phase that allowed a nice rendition like this to be born. It comes out just as I am in the market for a new one, my 2G 8GB is just reaching capacity ;). Can’t wait to pick mine up. Now, the only question is which color to choose…
Ray (Who am I?)
2 months ago
It is clear to me that this Nano 4G is a poor excuse to the real upcoming Nano 5G which will pretty much be the same thing but less tall, no scroll wheel and a touch screen covering its whole surface. That is a real next generation, this thing they got out now is not only awful but it is evident that it is merely halfway to the next step.
Tony (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Just stopped by the Apple store. I had a lot of problem with the scroll wheel. It is hard to be precise it. I kept overshooting my mark. Even Jobs had issues if you watch the demo videos. I ended up walking.
Anthony ★ (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I was in an Apple Store the other day. I’m already a 2G iPod Touch owner. These Nanos looked amazing. Until the Touch, I had been wanting an iPod just like this. My original shuffle was nice and small –– easily pocketable, but no screen, video, or real navigation. My iPod Classic has it all in droves, but no widescreen and it’s a bit heavy. My problem with the iPod Touch has been its size. It is a bit large, but otherwise it has most of the features I could have wanted. I ended up buying the new 3G Touch which is thinner and adds some additional features like a built-in speaker (great for sharing a youtube video with friends on the spot). I wouldn’t mind one of these new nanos. The screens are small, and I think I would be uncomfortable watching video on it, but then, at that size, a download youtube video would likely look great. As another has stated, the scroll wheel feels imprecise to me; but that is something you can overcome with use.
Frogger 5 (Who am I?)
2 weeks ago
I reckon your being very brutal about the way your judging it!
other reviews Ive read say that its really quite good! in your your just saying that the new things on it are nothing when they certainly are not! everyone who has read this, dont listen to this review! the new iPod is amazing! dont let this stop your interest! if you want/wanted one get one!