Home Gaming Digital Lifestyle Cheats Downloads Upcoming Product Finder
95%
PROS
Slim, sexy design, ever-lasting battery, no moving parts, incredibly portable, unbreakable.
LOWS
No video capability, the screen isn't so big that photos will look great, only goes up to a 4 gig model.
OVERALL
Unbreakable, sexy design, ultra portable- sometimes bigger isn't always better.
 |
|---|
Even if you asked me to, I don't think I could clearly remember the “big” iPod days, as I'd like to call them. I used to tote around a 20 gig Third Generation, and after that, I went bigger and used the 20 gig Video iPod. Sure, life was good… I mean we are talking about an iPod. But why am I currently using an iPod Nano?
Take one second to think back on the iPod shuffle: remember how I said it was a great little MP3 player, but not really a bona fide iPod? The Nano sitting to my right is called an iPod Nano, and for a reason. This offshoot of your standard Apple player really is an iPod. It's a fact, you can't deny it. Apple has taken the basic concept of the Shuffle (a smaller iPod) and made it just that: a smaller iPod. The Shuffle wasn't what I wanted because it wasn't an iPod. But now I've got my iPod.
The first time I held a Nano, I was quite careful. It felt so small and delicate in my hands, I was afraid if I squeezed it too hard it would break. My hand was used to gripping a regular iPod; not a baby Nano. It didn't take much to realize my apprehensive attitude was ill-founded. The Nano is built to last. The slim frame accounts for the Nano's sexiness as well as its portability. True to iPod form, the front is colored by our favorite white (or black), and the back of the unit is plated in the shiny chrome.
 |
|---|
I think the true beauty of the Nano design lies in the complete flatness of the entire player. The screen is embedded into the front as opposed to sticking out. This not only greatly increases LCD protection; it makes the Nano so smooth and sexy. The scroll wheel doesn't stick out at all; yes, the scroll wheel (like I said this is an iPod people!) Identical to a standard sized iPod, the Nano scroll wheel lets you search through all your songs in no time. It may look insanely small compared to a standard iPod scroll, but don't waste time thinking of it. Once you start using it, you will see how easy it is to manipulate. It is not too small; I swear. Any thumb can cover the wheel easily but not overwhelm it to the point where you are pressing the wrong buttons and fumbling.
You operate the Nano just like a normal iPod. Choose your playlist wisely and custom make one with “on-the-go.” You can view photos on this baby just like with its big brother, but keep in mind the screen isn't THAT big. For seeing album art and artist/track info, the screen is perfect, but you're not going to love this thing as a picture viewer. But you can still do it if you want. The big difference between the Nano and the Video iPod is just that: video. We can't watch our favorite TV shows with the Nano. This may certainly detract some people who relish in the video capability of the larger iPod. If you are someone who truly takes advantage of the iPod's video function, the Nano is not right for you.
