The iPod nano
posted September 7th 2005 1:50PM
Well, looks like Apple's updating their iPod starting lineup—welcome the iPod nano (and wave goodbye to the mini, which is now missing from Apple's page after they announced it going south earlier today). The 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27-inch device will feature 500 song/2GB and 1,000 song/4GB capacities, a 1.5-inch color display, and, of course, a click wheel, which appears to have a drastically larger center button. If you're willing to ignore the fact that the headphone jack is located on the bottom of the device (sigh), you'll be otherwise rewarded with a device that's no more than 62% the size of the once diminutive iPod mini; it weighs 1.5 ounces (42 grams), has a maximum of 14 hours battery life, will come in black (as well as iPod white), and includes a few new niceties such as a nighttime inverse screen mode. Expect it to have a $199 and $249 pricetag; dock ($29) not included, and new lanyard headphones will be available for $39.
Absolutely awesome – I predict this will be one of the fastest selling consumer products ever (providing it works) – it will send itunes stratospheric and make it the ‘google’ of music – the ‘halo’ effect on mac sales will gather pace – it will send the stock to $100 -regardless of the horrible ROKR
So whats in the box? Just and nano? So, $250 for the nano, $39 for the dock - that I will definately need (and want), and $29 more for headphones... if I want to keep it "in the family".. dosnt seem like a deal anymore if this is what I need to purchace.
:(
LOL bad move apple... of course half you idiots will run out and buy any shit apple churns out, but you gotta realise a few things.
When the iRiver h10 came out, many of you people were screaming about how useless viewing potos on a 1.5inch screen is, same applies here i suppose?
then what about the fact that for the same price, in less than a month you'll be able to get a Creative Zen Micro Photo with 8 gigabytes, with better battery life, a nice OLED sceen 9albeit the same shitty size), FM radio and voice recording (which you ipod losers wont appreciate until you have it on your player), and is perfectly sized to that it fits pockets nicely, feels good in your hand and won't snap in half like a piece of metal and plastic which is a little bit thinner than a no.2 pencil.
and killing the ipod mini? dumbest move ever, now your max capacity in the lower end is 4 gigabytes... and it costs the same as the 5, 6 and soon 8gb models and offers no substantial features over it...
of course all of this is irrelevent cos you're all american idiots and succumb to apples marketing bullshit...
sigh oh well... maybe i'll be able to get another 15 people to actually take a look at the competition and buy superior products like i did wit those lookin for ipods/ipod minis
in italian nano means dwarf.
the first ipod for "disable" people.
oh also, no ones shouted OMG THAT IS SUCH A CREATIVE RIPOFF! CREATIVES HAD A ZEN NANO PLAYER FOR AGES! OMG OMG OMG!
know why? cos creative fans have are mature... and don't say we dont exist cos we do... in my school there's only one guy with an ipod, and you know what? everyone else is perfectly happy wit their irivers and creatives...
While I am incredibly impressed with the product and the guts to completely pull the Mini from the face of the web, I sure wish that Apple's social responsibility would have extended a little beyond themselves.
It would have been nice if Jobs and crew would have donated a small portin of nano sales to the relief efforts, knowing that there were gonna sell a crapload of product in this first week.
Just my heart thinking for me. That certainly would have drove me to the Apple Online Store. But instead I donated my $210.
While I am incredibly impressed with the product and the guts to completely pull the Mini from the face of the web, I sure wish that Apple's social responsibility would have extended a little beyond themselves.
It would have been nice if Jobs and crew would have donated a small portin of nano sales to the relief efforts, knowing that there were gonna sell a crapload of product in this first week.
Just my heart thinking for me. That certainly would have drove me to the Apple Online Store. But instead I donated my $210.
I'm glad the input jack is on the bottom! When you wear it "upside down" around your neck, the screen will be readable to you and the 'phones jack is right there...facing up. GOOD THINKING BY APPLE. Smart.
If you want a solid state Mini iPod, take out the microdrive and put in a compact flash card....
Hey guys,
this is one slick mp3 player.
I know very little about ipods do they use the standard mini headphone jack...meaning I can use the headphones I already have?? My ears do not accept earbuds.
Thanks.
I just had to bring the post count to 300. The lanyard with the integrated headphones (which I plan to modify for better buds) convinced me. Also the pictures don't do justice to the size. From Walt's review:
"Grab a standard American business card. Now, get a pair of scissors and trim the long side of the card by 20%."
If you want a solid state Mini iPod, take out the microdrive and put in a compact flash card....
I LOVE it!!! This isn't truly a replacement for the mini, but the shuffle!!! In ADDITION to a 60Gig iPod for my entire music library, I've been wanting a good flash based player that holds at least 2Gigs for workouts, and walking around the city with a skip free player in my pocket. What makes the iPods worth more $$ than other flash based players isn't FASHION, it's the incredibly convenient controls & terrific music management via iTunes! As for Creative Tech, I consider them a joke for claiming to OWN the whole concept of using hierarchical menus to organize information. WTF? Typical desperate sore loser behavior same as SCO vs. Linux.
oooo....i want it in black.....
With all the other things that cost money, you would expect Apple to cater to a lower tax bracket. my god $200.00 for a piece of plastic that your dog could eat. come on price it to fit the Real AMERICANS budgets. I know if you did that the CEO couldnt drive 9 cars and have a 30 million dollar home.
Thank you #296 - Homer, that's the right thinking. The first iPod for WEAKLINGS.
iPods should have wifi so you can download tunes from the music store wirelessly.
i want soo bad
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. U BASTARD - U KILLED THE iPOD MINI. Die Nano, Die. LONG LIVE THE MINI. ALL HAIL THE MINI.
I have a 1st Generation mini, and I'm going to upgrade to the nano this weekend. I won't go on a rant about how Creative and iRiver suck and should go stick various objects in their rectums as many iPod fans suggest, but I will say that I've used a raft of DAPs in my lifetime and to me the ipod has the sleekest design, the best service, best software, and (most importantly) the best interface. People are going to question why I'm trading in my mini for a nano, here's why; same space-smaller form factor, colour screen, awesome black design, new Aps, discontinuation of 1st gen mini support. I find myself awash in a sea of people who hate apple because they make the iPod, and people who don't know shit about apple but are fiercely devoted to the iPod. I love Apple, my iMac G5 kicks copious ammounts of Windows ass, and my iPod is part of a whole Apple system. I was hoping that the iPod would become the Mac gateway drug, but alas no! People can't seem to connect Apple 'iPod maker' with Apple 'Mac maker' and so we have millions of sleek, sexy, well thought out iPods hooked up to boxy, generic, crash/spyware/virus prone PCs. :'(!
But, yawn! ,o How old of an design can it be? It's still far, far bigger than the MobiBlu, still doesn't have a built-in FM tuner or voice recorder ala MobiBlu, far larger than 4GB of flash ram ought to be, and has the headphone jack on the bottom?!? - like what in the world were they thinking!?! Yeah, let's stick the AV jacks on the bottom of the TV.... right.
The original iPod was innovative - new control layout, new design and new program to sync - iTunes. But today, we're only seeing one itsy-bitsy incremental upgrade at a time - parts upgrades rather than true innovation.
We should definitely be on a true 100% vidoe + music + FM tuning + Voice recording + video/digital camera iPod today (think how nice that would be for students in college, etc. - record your lessons, review anywhere anytime, etc, and enjoy music as well).
But nope. Hobbled by the fear of over-engineering a very successful cash cow, and trying to squeeze $$$$ out of each incremental upgrade generation of iPod released, Apple is now only squeezing you, the consumer, out of $$ everytime you upgrade to the next, slightly better than before, iPod.
I'd much rather wait it out and/or buy a competing product today - there's simply too many features Apple could have put into an iPod, but left out because they're too 'scared' of killing their cash cow.
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On the other hand, at least Motorola and other companies are innovating with the Rokr and other products like the PSP, Archos, the latest portable AV players that are smaller than the iPod, etc.
http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/itunes_ROKR.html
(At least this and the Sony Walkman cell phones have MP3 + cell + TV + voice recording in one!
Although these are still not too amazing - they're merely MP3 capable cell phones, which have been around for ages as well - it's merely the marketing label of late which has gotten more attention.)
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Heck, at least put in a built-in USB plug!
Buying the 4 GB iPod Nano is 100% pointless, when for $50 more you can get five times the storage space with the 20 GB iPod.
Pointless.
Pointless?
I believe that there are two points to the nano. (1) FLASH - most people who exercise with their mp3 players are limited to the 1gb players out there (2) SIZE - some people just want a small player, to wear around their necks or otherwise. Any comparisons based on $ per GB are pointless when there are other factors involved in one's buying decision, such as solid-state memory and size.
Touche Andy (#311). Many of the posts in this thread reflect a very limited perspective. For instance, the perspective of someone on a very tight budget whose biggest concern is the cost of the device. Folks who can't imagine being able to easily afford a $249 iPod.
There is also the geeky hotrod mentality of those who care only about Gigabytes and Gigaherz while qualities like style or ease of use mean nothing to them. They are frustrated because big successful companies like Apple become successful by catering mainly to large mainstream audiences that DO value style and ease of use.
I'm guessing a lot of these posts come from kids, because kids often lack the life experience needed to step into other people's shoes and see things from points of view beyond their own personal perspective.
Wow, ton of posts, no one's gonna read this one but anyhow. All the people complaing about price, Apple has always charged top dollar for their products; computers, periherals, the works so it makes sense b/c people will pay it no matter what really. Second, it costs more to make a higher capacity flash player than a hard drive counterpart I think that when you look at comparative devices the Nano is competitively priced. It's gonna be the next fashion statement, everyone't gonna get one, and Jobs is going to cash his next check in one dollar bills so he can just say, "Ohhhh Kyle's money!"
"in italian nano means dwarf.
the first ipod for "disable" people."
huh???
I wish before posting everyone would not only read the blog entry thouroughly but also click the READ LINK! and read the entire article about the product. That would answer/subside exaclty 246 of these seemingly irrelevent posts. I counted :). No more complaining about price cheapskates, you gotta pay to play, that's the Apple way. So pony up the cash or buy an alternative product.
Nicely said #309!
"Buying the 4 GB iPod Nano is 100% pointless, when for $50 more you can get five times the storage space with the 20 GB iPod.
Pointless."
Commentor number 311 puts it best. What was wrong with the ipod minis? The screen was monochrome, sure, but...that was about it. This is the worst idea I've ever heard of iPods...but it'll sell anyway, I mean they manage to sell those useless shuffles, anyway.
After a monster number of posts, there seems to be an awful lot of people who are please with the headphone jack being on the bottom. But for me this seems like a bit of a deal breaker. In every other respect this is exactly what I expected, and the perfect companion to my full sized iPod, but now I am not so sure. Call me shallow if you like, but being on the bottom is just going to get in the way of how I have used my iPod (and even my pre-iPod music devices). And I will never use my iPod on a lanyard. It doesn't take a genius to know what device I am using if I am wearing iPod headphones, but if Apple wants me to advetise their device by hanging it aroud my neck, they are going to have to pay me.
"Jobs is going to cash his next check in one dollar bills so he can just say, "Ohhhh Kyle's money!""
What?! Explain Alex :)!
zen microphoto seems a lot better in terms of spec; there is 8gb, oled screen which is organic led (cheaper, brighter, thinner, range of colors, and viewing angle than lcd or plasma). also previously mentioned is the radio, recorder, etc.
however, that black ipod nano will seriously attract many customers, as well as the usual slew of fruity ipod advertising and people thinking of it as hip/trendy buying it.
and itunes has got to be the worst program EVER made for mp3 players. why can't it be a simple drag and drop program like iriver.
yea, i'm definitly on the the next level, my Black Zen Micro 5gig is filled to its max capacity, thats why i'm waiting for the new Micro Photo. Its supposed to arrive sometime this fall, 8gig micro drive, 250,000 OLED display and 15hour removable battery. It will also have an fm tuner, recorder but i've come to expect that out of my mp3 players now. Of course the micro will have a high S n' R and most like "smart sound" capabilities, woot! definitly worth the wait... did i mention its suppsed to be priced between 250-300USD? :D
The nano IS bleeding edge. It has possibly the best design ever - paper thin is obviously a trend that the Razr started, and putting the headphone jack on the bottom is pure genius.
are you kidding me? i'm looking at my micro now and thinking "damn, this thing is small, is there such thing as too small?" yes, there most definitly is a point where things become too small and i think the nano is a perfect example. I couldn't imagine trying to fit one of my fingers on the click wheel, i don't think it was smart at all to integrate the click wheel into this thing. the smaller circumferenceof the click wheel will probably have most people constantly missing the menu or song they want to select. As far as best design goes, i'd leave that up to the Zen Micro, it naturally curves to fit your hand and it truely a one-hand-operational device. I think the headphone jack being place on the bottom of the player is very useful, but i would highly doubt it apple was the first to implement this design into there products. all in all i think apple is running out of idea, time to "think different"
lastly, why would apple kill the highly sucessful mini?
Not that it's a huge deal, but the article mentions a nighttime inverse screen mode - does it really exist? Doesn't appear anywhere in the menu's or the manual..
WoW~~
i want one. that is so good design.
Apple has really left people in the dust
This is going to be the greatest player ever
And the load times will incredible
im going to buy
heres another link
http://www.epicempire.com/mp3-players/ipod-nano.html
Just wanted to say... stop comparing apples and fucking oranges. iPod nano is a flash player. Zen Microphoto is HHD. So are most of the other player s out there. Ever tried to buy a 4 GB flash card? they retail at the price of the entire iPod nano. Flash is expensive. Deal with it. If you don't need a flash player, meaning you sit on your ass to listen to music, then don't buy a nano. And stop bitching about it.
SWEET!!! the black one will match my black Razr phone
What is new about this Apple? Only the size?
There are other mp3-player who do much better and much more for the same money...but don't look like an Apple (but you must like the design and practice the scroll-wheel)...Like the old Archos Gmini 400.
I think Apple proves very much that design sells.
too small for me, it sucks...
i love the 20 giga! that is the right size in my opinion
Wish I can get black version !
Smexy. I want one so bad!
I don't know why people complain about the pricetag for 4GB of storage. A 1GB USB Flash Drive costs about $60.00 on ebay. $60.00x4=$240.00.
OK...even if you depreciate the costs as you increase the storage (ie. $60, $50, $40, $30) You would still pay about $180.00 for 4GB. So really, you're getting 4GB of storage for the standard price of $180.00, and you're getting the iPod experience for an extra $70.00. The economics work out just fine. Plus, no HDD to fail on you. I think it's worth it completely.
Keep your old iPod and give the $250 to someone who needs it. People are way too willing to "upgrade" to the latest greatest iPod. People have too much money to know what to do with.
I have to say i am impressed... i am not a bigfan of the ipod's lack of features, but the smallness of this might change my mind about getting an iriver H10...!
I'm ticked. I just got an iPod mini last week and then this? Well, I'm happy I have a mini at a cheaper price, but it Apple seems to produce the best (well, marketed wise) dap out there. Seeing as how the new gen mini's were out last year and the shuffle as well, how much do you want to bet that before the end of the year or perhaps towards the beginning of the next a new version of the nano will be released. And besides, how much smaller is apple planning on making their flash players? I bet Samsung has a stockpile of 8+ gb flash drives just sitting around waiting for Apple to make the shell that it'll fit into.
>>210. Posted Sep 7, 2005, 6:28 PM ET by Whisky<<
That looks awesome... i actually might consider getting a Ipod finally.
Unless another company can come up with someone equal to apple's style.
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Many have tried that... No one has succeeded.
Just get a nano!
I don't have any iPod and I wanna buy a 4GB nano. But I can't make up my mind so as to which color should I go for. I was thiking of getting the white one as it's 'the' iPod color. But many people are saying that black looks really slick. Any suggestions?
Wow I want one now!! The black one will match my other mobile gadgets nicely. And the memory sizes are prefect for me!