Hands-on with the 2G iPod nano rainbow

Guess what, we also caught a glimpse of the 2G iPod nanomini, er, nano, which is their very "retro" 2004 version of their ultraslim flash device, It's hot alright, but is its 8GB of capacity enough to take out their number one competitor in the US, SanDisk? Hard to tell, but it's not like we don't have enough images after the break to support the case.

Ya damn right that says 8GB.

[Eric M @ Sep 12th 2006 3:16PM]

I'm no girly, but that's an ugly shade of pink I must say.

[AUA @ Sep 12th 2006 3:19PM]

Too bad they didn't fix the issue with the headphone jack being in the bottom.

[Evan Doyle @ Sep 12th 2006 3:22PM]

is the 8gb thicker?

[Paschal @ Sep 12th 2006 3:22PM]

Why they didn't think about this release first rather than this damn 1g Nano with all the scratch issues?

[Wonderboy @ Sep 12th 2006 3:23PM]

Keep something the same and people will eventually move on to unique/novel concepts... take a design back a generation and you risk the same thing.

My personal opinion is that the ipod will really see a loss of market share at this point. Part of the draw of the ipods has been the unique/cool design. This design isn't impressive at all and I really see a lot of people jumping ship to the sexy looking Sansa, as well as others.

Of course, only time will tell.

[scott @ Sep 12th 2006 3:23PM]

imho, i am not a fan of the sansa. i thought the wheel seemed kinda cheap. factor in the nike sport kit for the nano and it is still the winnAr.

[Fuzz @ Sep 12th 2006 3:23PM]

This is what I always thought the Nano should have looked like. I still love my mini, becuase it is tough, doesn't show scratches, and, err, is tough. :) Black looks realy nice, too.

[boe @ Sep 12th 2006 3:27PM]

Not bad. One thing I like about my MuVo is that it can be used as a thumb drive as well. Change the design of this to have a retractable USB interface or at least a mini usb adapter and I would the 4gb model tomorrow.

[dude @ Sep 12th 2006 3:27PM]

Creative and Archos now totally own the PMP realm. They actually released true video devices (now in their second generation w/ Zen Vision:W and 604, respectively!) while Apple farts around with shiny new colors. Weak!

[madc @ Sep 12th 2006 3:31PM]

its fugly. this doesn't have the sophisticated look of the original nano. actually, this should be called mini2.

[Flaps @ Sep 12th 2006 3:32PM]

For the love of god, does this have gapless playback or not. If this feature has been limited to the new 5G upgrade, I (along with many others) will be very disappointed... :o(

[drc @ Sep 12th 2006 3:34PM]

I am still going to hum my favorite songs quietly to myself....

[GadgetGav @ Sep 12th 2006 3:38PM]

OK, dude... If by 'own the PMP realm' you mean 'have almost or exactly zero market share.
According to NPD in Q2 2006, the market breakdown was: Apple 75.6%, SanDisk 9.7%, Creative 4.3%, Samsung 2.5%, Sony 1.9%, Archos... er, nowhere.
There may be better screens out there on other devices, but that doesn't mean their makers 'own the realm'.

[gabe @ Sep 12th 2006 3:43PM]

Very nice, but why does apple have the 8GB model in only one color? You would think that if you spend more money you would get any color you want.

[dude @ Sep 12th 2006 3:46PM]

GadgetGay, by "own the realm" I mean they make products relevant to the state of the art and the desires of mobile video consumers. Of course, they have no control over the stupidity of buyers or the fact that Apple has 10,000,000,000 more dollars to spend on marketing.

[Soap @ Sep 12th 2006 3:48PM]

Am I blind or is the hold switch gone?

[Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 3:54PM]

Already bought the 8 GB Black model, plus a Nike+ armband. 95% of my music listening is at the gym, I could care less for the extra features in the Sansa, I just want it to be as thin as possible, hold my podcasts (and integrate with its software seamlessly) and play music well. The only reason I hadn't bought the previous Nano was that these were on the way -- until now I've used a 1 GB shuffle, but the lack of podcast support and Nike Fitness audio support sucks.

Folks who think that video or AM/FM are going to cause people to buy a WMP player over a Nano are really not understanding what most Nano buyers want -- just a music player. Many extra features have little to zero value for a large fraction of iPod purchasers and they're not going to outweigh the headaches of buying from another manufacturer.

[Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 3:54PM]

8 GB is probably only in one color for inventory issues -- they're likely betting that the 4 GB will be the most popular by far, if you want to keep inventory down you need to reduce the selection of SKUs (colors) in the less popular capacity levels. Otherwise you end up with either keeping too much inventory (very expensive with flash players) or losing business when people can't get the color they want.

[Blunt @ Sep 12th 2006 3:55PM]

Oh look, disgusting super fugly ipod mini looking 2g nanos in all the colors of the rainbow....FANTASTIC!! Now if only apple would release a product to get all this vomit out of my keyboard.

[Joe Alien @ Sep 12th 2006 3:56PM]

Boring. A few new colors ... big woopty do. Why would Apple even spend the money to put on an event with non-starters such as a pink Nano and limited movie downloads? I don't get it.

[idude135 @ Sep 12th 2006 4:00PM]

The iPod will probably be set to HOLD or locked if you remove the headphones.

Apple has a knack for the small details.

Otherwise what a let down... I guess the real vPod isn't ready yet. :(

[Matt Malone @ Sep 12th 2006 4:02PM]

they should called it the Ninny, cos its a cross between the old nano, and the old mini.

Nanny sounds stupid though. Definitely Ninny.

[snife @ Sep 12th 2006 4:02PM]

Wonderboy - i couldn't disagree more, its all over for everyone else in the market; i'm a microsoft fanboy and even I would say the the Zune will fail.

Anyone who has an ipod and all their stuff in itunes, including stuff they have bought which wont go on anything else, is not going to go for anything else how so apple can only continue to gain market share.

[Desert @ Sep 12th 2006 4:04PM]

Tom, what do mean by 'podcast support' in the shuffle? I can play podcasts on my shuffle fine.

[idude135 @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

LMAO at the Sansa comment

[gerbz @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

I currently have no pmp. I have an iMac, so I can't use anything else. Is it worth buying?

[Sebastian @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

Hmmmmm, I'm disappointed......very infact.

- There is still no "on-board" radio
- The design MIGHT be better functionally, but it look kinda old and outdated.
- I was hoping for an integrated Nike+ function...
- Still look kinda old....NOT sexy, like the first Nano
- With a "lesser" design and new competition, this might take a chunk out of Pears market share.....


No, I don't like it, I'm waiting for Zune. I HATE MS, but I love WMP11B2....LOVE IT!!!!

[Jordan Running @ Sep 12th 2006 4:05PM]

I never liked the look of the Mini, and I don't like the look of this. The black one is tolerable, but none of them look anywhere near as good as the original Nano.

[duke hafa @ Sep 12th 2006 4:08PM]

PC : MAC
market share 90% : 10%


Ipod : Sansa
market share ? % : ? %

can anyone fill in the question mark ?

[Vincent @ Sep 12th 2006 4:10PM]

I own a 40gb iPod photo (yes, the 40, not the 30 or 60, the first gen of photos were 20 and 40 for like 2 months, haha) Anyway. I use it as a 40gb memory card for my camera. Other than that, it never leaves my car as a replacement 200-disc cd changer. I'd possibly look into getting a new one fore on-the-go TRULY portable music.. the 40gb isnt too portable.

This is what I've been waiting for, an iPod mini, but, actually mini. Finally we've got something with the durability (not so much the looks, but its not too bad) of the iPod mini, with the size we all so desire in a DAP. Now if only they'd make a Shuffle with an e-Ink screen and a mini-clickwheel, that would own. Either way, I hope it's compatible with the camera adapter.. got a friend that works at an Apple store, gonna have to bring it in and try it out.

As for those of you that are bashing Apple for their poor showing, this event has brightened the future. The iTV is something I've been wanting for a loonngg time. The 5.5g iPods aren't THAT bad.. think about it, they're waiting for Samsung's 64gb CF cards to be a bit cheaper before they make the TRUE video (=

My 6 cents,

~Vincent

[Xero @ Sep 12th 2006 4:13PM]

Looks downright sexy, but I still can't justify spending $200 for a Nano when $50 more will get me a "real" iPod.

[Jeff @ Sep 12th 2006 4:18PM]

The old nano was a crap design. The new *mini*, on the other hand (which is what this is), is awesome.

Let's not forget that the mini was the #1 selling mp3 player in the world when Apple killed it. It still sells for above original retail in some cases (if you can find a new one). There is no shortage of demand for a small, tough iPod. It's one reason people liked the mini and it's what they've been clamoring for ever since the nano was released.

This fixes the one major shortcoming of the nano. And it just looks better too. It's the true evolution of the mini, and I really wish they'd have just gone back to calling it that.

But either way, I want one.

Oh, and to those of you predicting a sales decline for the iPod now... ha! Keep dreamin'! Your kind has been saying that for YEARS now and this is probably the best refresh of the overall iPod line ever - I would be surprised if Apple didn't double last year's sales.

[voodoobru @ Sep 12th 2006 4:22PM]

i'm just going to hold out for next version of the nano with 12GB, wifi, fm/am radio, bluetooth, cellphone service, 5mp camera, built in gps satellite nav, tivo, enclosed in an airplane grade titanium shell with a bulletproof polycarbon screen. hopefully it will come in white.

[Jeff @ Sep 12th 2006 4:23PM]

btw, the hold switch is still there - not sure why it's not on these prototypes. But look at the images on the Apple store site (I can't link to the direct page) - you can clearly see the switch.

[B-Sabre @ Sep 12th 2006 4:24PM]

No, its just crappy, blurry, washed out pictures.

The nano gallery at apple.com clearly shows a hold switch on top of the unit.

[Samuel McConnell @ Sep 12th 2006 4:24PM]

The original nano wasn't tough enough. Just having it in your pocket would scratch it to hell, and I bought it because it was small, so I don't want to make it bigger by putting a silicone sleeve on it. The mini was tough. I approve.

[Sof @ Sep 12th 2006 4:25PM]

to Xero...cuz flash is more durable and more expensive whereas a hard drive based mp3 player could die on u any day.

[karabunga @ Sep 12th 2006 4:25PM]

"Am I blind or is the hold switch gone?"

It's still there on the top left, the light/flash blinded it out or something

[Bigredend @ Sep 12th 2006 4:34PM]

@ Soap. nope there is still a hold switch, it aint visable on these pics, but can be seen on the photos on the apple site. :)

[Reuben @ Sep 12th 2006 4:34PM]

I am pissed because I was expecting at least a 10 giga nano to beat the competition.. plus pricing at $ 249 both the nano and the 30 gb Ipod seems stupid!
Another thing that's pissing me off: Steve said the arm band will be included with the Nano, but on the Apple store is sold separately and not mentionned in the package....

[aj @ Sep 12th 2006 4:36PM]

WHERE IS THE HOLD SWITCH?

[Brain @ Sep 12th 2006 4:37PM]

"If it aint' broke, don't fix it"
Apple is going to hand feed consumers cheap tricks to grab up your money; a re-design, and higher capacity.
oh boy, we hit the money now! ....
with the first nano, you hear "scratches, scratches!" dammit, just buy a different brand of player you pansy. I've been living with my iPOD photo since I took it out of the box, plays great has a bunch of scrapes and dings, but I don't plan to upgrade till it dies.

So now fans are going to toss out the "outdated" nano they bought for 100$ some, and buy a new one.
If you can spit out money like that, you should think about donating to charities.
2¢

[Kilarney @ Sep 12th 2006 4:42PM]

I am returning my Sansa e260 today, and have already ordered the new Mini. I was very conflicted, but this addresses my two concerns with the Nano:
1) Battery life.
2) Scratches.

The Sansa e260 is a great player. It is bulkier, and the video is useless, but there is a lot going for it. I also like how I am not a slave to ITunes with the Sansa. That being said, I have an mp3 player for podcasts, and nothing beats an IPod for that.

[Max Si @ Sep 12th 2006 4:51PM]

Actually Eric, I beleive it's more of a magenta shade, like the pink RAZR :-P. I was hoping for green pictures. I loved my green mini, they worked great. Are they made from the same material as the minis now?

[Mark @ Sep 12th 2006 4:51PM]

Every single photo is out of focus. Time to get a new camera -- or a new photographer.

[apeguero @ Sep 12th 2006 4:52PM]

So I take it this model now doesn't require any of these protector products then? Also, that package seems mighty small. Is Apple assuming that everyone that buys one has an internet connection in order to download iTunes? Interesting they didn't put Internet connection on the Requirements list on their website.

[Mr Very @ Sep 12th 2006 4:53PM]

Oh my god that is ugly! The original nano had a classic design... this is disgusting! Its the ugly mini but smaller! AWFUL! Apple, you have failed us again!

[Trey @ Sep 12th 2006 4:54PM]

I'm in! a former Sony fanboy moves over to the dark side. The 8gb is only available in black... and the problem is? It's a shame the Apple didn't bring out the Alu Nano first instead of the crappy acrylic Nano 1G.

Did I miss read or is 'iTV' still a project title? If it becomes the product title it itsn't going to fly in the UK as 'ITV' or 'Independent Television' is the name of our 2nd biggest terrestrial TV broadcaster.

[Trey @ Sep 12th 2006 4:54PM]

Okay now I'm a little Angry. The US Apple site is fully loaded with the nu content including iTunes v7
The UK site is still showing the old crap and iTunes v6? (I've dwnloaded iTunes 7 from the US site but until somebody invents a teleporter I can't get my hands ON MY GOD DAMN iPod NANO 8GB IN SCHWEET BLACK!!!!

When the fcuk are we going to get the good stuff over here? I hope Apple aren't going to treat us as badly as Sony does?

[Andrew @ Sep 12th 2006 4:57PM]

Does anyone know if the new Nano will have gapless playback? And less importantly, the stupid cel phone games?