I'm not too crazy about the new iPod Nano

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/ipod-nano-first-hands-on/

I use my PMP when I'm running primarily. A pure touch screen device like this is going to get ruined fast. Probably on the first run. Luckily, my Nano 3G is still working fine, but when the day comes to replace it, I'll probably be looking at another manufacturer.

 

[qwertyaas]

I like the 4th/5th gen Nano. I have a 16GB one. Barely feel it in your pocket and I usually leave it there the whole time. Not a fan of having to a player out of my pocket everytime to switch songs.

It's a cool idea though, but it just seems too small to really be practical.

 

[TheStu]

Can't say I am too crazy about it myself. I have a 30GB iPod 5.5G that I use almost exclusively in my car, and as such I need actual buttons. I have 20GB+ in my library and so a 16GB doesn't really cut it. If my iPod kicks it... I have to choose between getting an older generation iPod that will fit my library nicely, a current generation Classic that is about 5-6 times too big or an older Nano that won't fit my collection.

Since I use OS X as my primary OS, the iPod is my main choice for MP3 players, so getting something like a Zune (the only other thing I would seriously consider) is out.

 

[pm]

I'm with you guys - if it doesn't have buttons then it's harder to use it while exercising. I'm trying to figure out who would use it - aside from people who can't afford a larger touchscreen MP3 player. The lunchtime discussion from the guys at work mostly agreed.

I like the new Touch - it's hard to not like it with all the changes made to something that was already pretty good. I agree with the other thread that the camera is pretty lame though - they could have made it 2MP rather than the <1MP that they put in. But aside from nitpicks about the camera (hey, at least it has one now), it's a nice improvement.

But the point of the small MP3 players in my mind is to use them while exercising or cycling or doing something where a larger MP3 player would get in the way... and then to have a player like this without buttons sort of defeats the point.

 

[TheStu]

I'm with you guys - if it doesn't have buttons then it's harder to use it while exercising. I'm trying to figure out who would use it - aside from people who can't afford a larger touchscreen MP3 player. The lunchtime discussion from the guys at work mostly agreed.

I like the new Touch - it's hard to not like it with all the changes made to something that was already pretty good. I agree with the other thread that the camera is pretty lame though - they could have made it 2MP rather than the <1MP that they put in. But aside from nitpicks about the camera (hey, at least it has one now), it's a nice improvement.

But the point of the small MP3 players in my mind is to use them while exercising or cycling or doing something where a larger MP3 player would get in the way... and then to have a player like this without buttons sort of defeats the point.

I mean, I guess that is what the Shuffle is for. If you are running or something, you probably already have a set playlist, and don't really need the screen. 2GB is still a fair number of songs. And $50 for it isn't terrible, that is almost cheap enough to buy a bunch to coordinate with your running shorts.

 

[pm]

I mean, I guess that is what the Shuffle is for. If you are running or something, you probably already have a set playlist, and don't really need the screen. 2GB is still a fair number of songs. And $50 for it isn't terrible, that is almost cheap enough to buy a bunch to coordinate with your running shorts.

Yeah, true. It's very important in my neighborhood that my MP3 player color coordinates with my running shorts.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I agree. I've been thinking of getting a 5th gen 16GB Nano but have been waiting to see what the new Nano brought to the table. Really not impressed at all and will go with the 5G Nano.

May pick up one used -- I figure they'll be plenty of 5G's on the market after today's announcement.

 

[Bateluer]

I mean, I guess that is what the Shuffle is for. If you are running or something, you probably already have a set playlist, and don't really need the screen. 2GB is still a fair number of songs. And $50 for it isn't terrible, that is almost cheap enough to buy a bunch to coordinate with your running shorts.

Shuffle is ruled out by not having a screen. Plus the longer battery life of the Nano comes into play on my longer runs. I like the bulk of my collection on a single device, so I need at least 8GB of storage. I want my MP3 player with actual physical buttons and a screen so I can see the tracks and playlists. These are essential features for me. I prefer to have the player mounted on an arm band, which could be done easily with the belt clip on the new Nano. That mini-tablet touch form factor is a real buzz kill though.

I looked a Zune briefly, and while its a cool device, a bit 'more' machine than I need. I just want an MP3 player.

 

[jpeyton]

Apple will learn the same lesson over again.

They took away the buttons on the Shuffle, now they brought them back.

They took away the buttons on the Nano; they will bring them back.

What's the point of a touch screen Nano if it's not running iOS? The screen is so tiny that using touch to navigate will be a delicate process.

 

[foghorn67]

The last gen Nano was awesome. Not sure why they did this.

 

[phillyTIM]

I'm certainly not impressed by the new Nano, as interesting as the addition of touch/ui may be. It's great for a tag-on workout device, but then isn't that pretty much what the Shuffle is for?

I have a 3rd gen Nano (aka the "fat" Nano, which sometimes takes both hands to maneuver through) which I needed at the time, but they got the Nano form-factor right with the 1/2/4/5 gens where you could maneuver the click-wheel with ease of thumb as you comfortably held it with one hand.

Further, they should have created a 32Gb Nano. My humble sized music collection is almost ready to totally fill up a 16Gb device, I'd love to carry all of my music on a little Nano!

I was itching to buy a new Nano, but looks like no sale for me this time around!

 

[DivideBYZero]

Looks cool to me. :shrug:

 

[jpeyton]

A lot of people buy Nanos for workout audio devices, and a lot of those people will be disappointed with the new one.

Skipping songs/playlists and navigation is easier with hard buttons. You can reach over and press a hard button while running with the old Nano. You have to stop, look at the screen and touch carefully with the new Nano.

 

[phillyTIM]

^ Right!!!

 

[QueBert]

A lot of people buy Nanos for workout audio devices, and a lot of those people will be disappointed with the new one.

Skipping songs/playlists and navigation is easier with hard buttons. You can reach over and press a hard button while running with the old Nano. You have to stop, look at the screen and touch carefully with the new Nano.

Or Apple could implement PocketTouch like controls, Zune HD has similar controls too. Nothing's easier their swiping up/down/left/right on the screen to change tracks & volume. double tap to pause & double tap again to resume play. After using PocketTouch & my Zune HD I have no desire to ever go back to a hardware button player again.

Now if it doesn't have PocketTouch like controls that's a totally different story.