Product review: The new iPod nano

It has a video camera, a radio, a pedometer, and when you shake it, a new song plays. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the new iPod nano has arrived, complete with a larger screen, video capturing capabilities, and a sweet polished anodized aluminum finish in nine colors. Did I mention that it has a built-in microphone and speaker? This new nano has some things we’ve never seen on an iPod before — or at least I haven’t seen; I was still boppin’ along to the nano from 2005.

Along with the new finish and bigger screen, the most noticeable physical change is the addition of a video camera on the back of the iPod. Owners can now capture live footage of protesters at the Fence or friends snoring in class, in portrait or landscape mode. With the bigger 2.2-inch screen, you can also choose from 15 video effects to jazz up your home videos, such as sepia, black and white, and kaleidoscope, according to the advertisements. I have been unsuccessful in trying to find these cool features, but I’m sure I’ll come across them. With the click of a mouse, the videos are on a laptop, posted on Facebook, and now everyone can watch somebody’s roommate solve a Rubix cube in eight seconds. Now, I know the iPod advertisements boast of high-quality images, but they’re not lying. The video and audio qualities are both remarkable considering the size of the device.

The speakers are good for your music too; just unplug your headphones and you can let your friends listen to the new CD you purchased and put on your iPod. If they liked the sound of that band, you can use the click wheel to create a Genius playlist. Just like in iTunes, the iPod nano will create a new playlist with similar songs, and you have the option of saving the playlist if you like what you hear. The only thing about this feature on the iPod, just like on iTunes, is that you only get a good Genius mix if you have a lot of music that fits the right profile. If you only have a few similar songs on your iPod, don’t expect an amazing Genius playlist. Go purchase more music instead.

In case you get tired of listening to your own music, just turn on your iPod’s FM radio. Compatible stations will scroll the name of the song and artist, and along with this new radio comes Live Pause and iTunes tagging, designed to enhance the listening experience. Live Pause enables listeners on their way to class to pause their favorite station and talk to someone, then resume listening to their station again.

The technology even allows rewinding as far back as 15 minutes and fast forwarding to catch up with the live station. It’s pretty nifty. iTunes tagging is for every person who’s ever heard a song on the radio and wanted to download it, but couldn’t remember the name of it. Users can simply use the click wheel to tag the songs they hear on the radio that they like, and the iPod makes a list of the tagged songs.

When you connect the iPod to your computer, the tagged list is in iTunes and you can purchase the songs. Unfortunately for international students, so far this technology only works in the United States. So there’s video, there’s radio; what else is so amazing about this thing? The pedometer, because everyone has always wanted one of those. No, really, for the motivated people who keep up a fitness plan, or for anyone who’s just curious, the new pedometer feature offers a daily step goal or the option to continually count steps all the time. It can also keep track of how many calories you burn a day.

And while listening to your iPod on your bike or on your run, as the pedometer counts your calories and steps, the new Voice Over technology seamlessly tells you which song is playing. This technology is already popular on the iPod shuffle, but maybe hearing it on the nano is different because it sounds rather computerized.

I feel like it’s rather unnecessary, but I guess if you really have so much music that you’ve forgotten the name of the song you’re listening to, and your hands are occupied with whatever, it could be nice.

Most users would agree that there are certain new features that trump the Voice Over. “I think the best thing they put on the new nano was the video camera and the built-in mic and speakers,” said Cole Vandross, a first-year mechanical engineering major. Others agree that the new nano is supreme.

“The 2.2-inch screen and 240-by-376 resolution really maximizes the look of the videos and the cover art flow,” said James Williams, a sophomore computer science major.

“It makes me feel like my old new iPod is obsolete now; I have to get this new one.” Apple did more than just add new shiny features to the nano, and Vandross noticed this. “I also appreciate Apple’s efforts in being a part of the green movement with the mercury-free LED-backlit display and the recyclable aluminum case.” So when I am on my way to class, the sounds of the traffic on Fifth Avenue can’t compete with the environmentally friendly iPod nano, counting my steps all the way to Wean Hall.



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iPod Nano 5th gen has very beautiful new features. You should buy one now!

Source

Hit the ground running. Or walking.

With the Nike + iPod Sport Kit and a built-in Pedometer to help keep you motivated and track your fitness progress, iPod nano makes working out less routine.
Step it up with the new Pedometer.

You take your iPod nano with you everywhere. Why not use it to stay fit? iPod nano now doubles as a Pedometer. It uses the built-in accelerometer to keep track of your steps and help you meet your fitness goals. You can create a daily step goal or set it to Always On so it counts all the steps you take, all the time. Which makes iPod nano the ideal exercise partner.
Meet your new running coach.

From warm-up to cooldown, Nike + iPod helps you go the distance.

Rock and run.


Your shoes and your iPod nano team up to maximize your run. See the minutes tick by. Watch the miles unfold. Hear real-time voice feedback. All to your favorite music, including your chosen Power Song — that one song that always gets you through the home stretch.

Ready

Grab your iPod nano, your Nike+ shoes, and the Nike + iPod Sport Kit (available separately). Put the sensor in the built-in pocket just under the insole. Then connect the receiver to your iPod nano. The sensor tracks your run, then sends the data to your iPod nano.

Set

Check out the Nike + iPod menu and choose how you want to run. Try the open-ended workout or select one with time, distance, or calorie goals. Then pick your favorite playlist, shuffle songs, or choose Nike-created Sport Music.

Go

As you run, iPod nano tells you your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. It gives you feedback at the halfway point and as you push to the finish line. You can also see the details of your workout on your iPod nano.

Rock the gym.

Take Nike + iPod to the gym and minute by minute, mile by mile, you’re motivated by more than music. Connect your iPod nano to a Nike + iPod compatible cardio machine. Record your pace, time, and distance as you work out. With iPod nano, every trip to the gym becomes a new challenge.

Ready

Find your favorite Nike + iPod compatible cardio machine. Then connect your iPod nano to the 30-pin connector.

Set

Browse your iPod nano and choose the playlist or video that will get and keep you going. Your iPod nano battery even charges while connected, so your power songs always have power.

Go

Your pace, distance, time, and calories burned are recorded as you go. When you’re done, you’ll see a summary of your workout on the cardio equipment. And it’s all saved on your iPod nano.


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This is really cool. I love it.

Source of iPod Nano with Video Camera

Scosche kickBACK n5 case for new iPod Nano

The kickBACK n5 is a kickstand case which is polycarbonate and rubber hybrid case with an open face design that includes an ultra clear screen protector. The new case features a provision for the video camera that was recently added to the nano. Like the recently released kickBACK S for the iPhone 3GS, the case features an integrated kickstand for widescreen viewing and traction nubs that provide grip on flat surfaces.

The rear of the case is also where you’ll find the flip out kickstand for when you want to watch those digital videos on the nano 5G’s 2.2-inch display without having to hold the device.

It's very pretty attractive and protect your new iPod from scratches. The kickBACK is $24.99 in clear polycarbonate with black rubber. Scosche also have a switchKASE back which includes the kickback n5 and a black silicone skin for the price of $29.99. It's already available for your new iPod Nano with video camera.

The New iPod Nano

A new look for your iPod Nano! It already has a video camera, microphone and speaker at the back, a built-in FM radio with live pause, pedometer, a larger 2.2-inch display (up from 2.0-inches) and a voice recorder. It's very stylish, it comes in nine brilliant colors including silver, black, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, (Product) red and pink. It weighs 1.28 ounces, you can carry it anywhere you like. The new iPod Nano is available today in 8GB for $149 and a 16GB editon for $179.

The video camera shoots H.264 VGA video - 640 by 480 pixels - at up to 30 frames per second with AAC audio in either portrait or landscape modes. In addition to the built-in camera, the latest iPod Nano now has VoiceOver support, which provides audible navigation cues in 20 languages.

In addition, the new iPod Nano features 15 special effects that can be applied in real time where most phones have: Sepia, Black and White, X-Ray, Film Grain, Thermal, Security Cam, Cyborg, Bulge, Kaleido, Motion Blur, Mirror, Light Tunnel, Dent, Stretch and Twirl. The new iPod Nano can display video or upload it back to your computer, where you can easily upload the clip to YouTube, Facebook or share it via e-mail. The built-in microphone at the back of the iPod Nano can also be used in voice recording.