iPod nano 5G with camera first hands-on!

We came and we saw... but there's not much to say. It's exactly the same save for that new coating, bigger screen (which does help), and tiny little camera around back. Video quality looked decent, but you really can't tell on the small screen. If you've ever held a nano -- this is the same experience. Want to really know what it's like? Hit the gallery!

Update: Quick walkthrough video is now after the break!

iPod nano with camera hands-on

iPod nano with camera software hands-on

[vtluu Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:27PM]

Specs for the new Nano are up: video recording is: H.264 VGA video, 640 by 480 pixels, up to 30 frames per second with AAC audio

[MarcusMaximus Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:38PM]

And apparently no still picture support. I can't believe that's the case but it doesn't give still picture specs anywhere.

[itchyeyes Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:45PM]

@App4That

I'm trying to think how a video camera would even work on the shuffle. Perhaps it would describe what's in the frame to you in a barely intelligible synthetic voice.

[Harrison Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:57PM]

Well, App4That, some of us who use cameras would like to know that we're actually filming what we want to be filming and not end up with several hours of footage of the ground.

I'm still trying to figure out how you knew Matt was eating.

[Jacob1 Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:27PM]

weak!

[AbhishekVerma Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

Word.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:30PM]

co-signs

[mosk33toe Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:30PM]

zzzz...

[LGH Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:32PM]

Agreed. Call it "market-leader" syndrome. Once a company owns the market - innovation goes out the door. That is why competition is so important. Looks like I will go Zune HD for my next PMP.

[fanandualum Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:32PM]

i never imagined apple would F*CK up this bad!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:37PM]

Very weak, mind you.

[1 Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:37PM]

It almost looks like a KIRF.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:39PM]

welcome to 2001

[Puggs Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:40PM]

I still think the big limitation is the fact that the battery cannot be changed or replaced incase you run out of power.

[Timerider Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:47PM]

I'm disappointed. They put all the features that I wanted in the new iPod touch into the Nano. Who cares about the nano? I want my iPhone-minus-phone.

[JRockDetroit Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:49PM]

It doesn't even appear to capture stills. Neat, but almost any one with a cell phone can accomplish this new functionality.

[TexRob Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:48PM]

You guys are idiots at Engadget, and people claim you all are Apple fanboys?

FM, and you totally forgot to mention itunes tagging and you can pause the radio.

Nike ipod integration and pedometer work in unison, and are much more feature rich now, go look.

Add the video camera in for $150, and this is amazing little device.

[akarol Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:51PM]

Lame indeed! Microsoft seems to be making a re-resurgence and Apple seems to be falling behind. It was only a matter of time.

[dancingwhenyouregone Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:00PM]

They've switched the positions of the headphone jack and the USB port? They've got nothing to do, have they?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:03PM]

Yep. Cram a phone in there and I might see cause to replace my current devices. Until then I'll just use them until they break.

[egress63 Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:09PM]

Utter FAIL...

[brr404 Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:53PM]

fail...
now all the apple fanboys will think/say that apple was the first to have a FM radio...
and will ignorantly rant on forums why microsoft copied them....

[LiQuiDFuSioN Posted Sep 9th 2009 4:52PM]

Why.

Why can't this thing take still pictures?

A nice "wtf" fits very well right now.

[Michael Scrip Posted Sep 9th 2009 5:17PM]

>> "Why can't this thing take still pictures?"

The Flip Video doesn't take picture either... which is what this is supposed to compete with. The Flip Video is the most popular pocket camcorder... so it does very well considering it's a single-purpose device.

Steve said "The Nano is the most popular player in the world, we've sold over 100m." So adding a video camera will only help Nano sales.

That said... WTF is the Nano doing with the camera?!?!? The Touch is MUCH more suitable to have a video camera! Huge screen, WIFI uploading, clip trimming like the iPhone. Seriously.

The Nano will be great for Apple.... but bad for me who wanted to buy a Touch and get a pocket camcorder too...

[conscious Posted Sep 9th 2009 5:37PM]

Apple, be the first to make a glossy screen you can't smudge to bits and I'm on board.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 5:54PM]

lrn2design apple, you don't put the camera at the bottom...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 7:25PM]

true that. the thing I don't get is that why is apple not upgrading their biggest selling ipod ever the iPod touch and putting these things on the touch but yet they put it on the nano, now thats just BULL. Apple I know you can do better than this now I ain't a Zune fan but quiet honestly I guess my next Christmas present will be the Zune HD cause apple just lost their BIGGEST customer until they upgrade their iPod touch line. Oh and I wish Steve the best of luck

[gadgetfanboy Posted Sep 9th 2009 8:18PM]

Glossy finish for the EPIC FAIL. What a huge step backwards from the nice matte aluminum on the last gen nanos.

[DogStar Posted Sep 9th 2009 10:17PM]

Has the person running the camera ever heard of FOCUS? Horrible video.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 11:48PM]

Weak? Weak? You guys don't get it! Apple has cornered the market! So what's left? The Perv demographic! Come on! You guys need to have a BIG picture view.

Can't you see all people buying these to capture women at the gym?

Of course let's not leave out the pedophile demo!

Sheeeesh! People are SOOooooo short sited!

[wingedLegionary Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

I preferred the matte aluminium personally, but I guess I'll have to see it in person to really judge. It looks highly scratchable

[Aziz S Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:40PM]

Oh man, every time I saw that violet (amethyst - purple) colored 4G Nano I felt the sex!

IMO the new shiny coating sucks, why why why..

=(

I feel frustrated because of that, it's like my hot girlfriend suddenly gained ugly fat.

[Fanman Posted Sep 10th 2009 5:15AM]

I'm intrigued, as I've picked up one or two scratches on my forth gen.

[dancingwhenyouregone Posted Sep 10th 2009 3:39PM]

Hm, got a purple Nano, am a guy and it feels awkward. I'd better have picked black or something. (I admit, I do still like the colour.)
Anyway, the new coating indeed is ugly. It looks as if they had put the matte, "grainy" finish of the 4G under under a layer more glossy than even the 1G nano.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

I'm sorry, but no camera or radio on the touch? I am VERY disappointed with Apple today.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:36PM]

So am I. I wanted to upgrade my first gen 16gb ipod touch! It´s more waiting time for me! Bad apple!

[MLamont Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:38PM]

Agreed. They could have at least said that we tried but someone screwed up the design but we'll fix it in time for Christmas. Give me a built-in microphone or something. Maybe there will be some hideous attachment that you buy and hang off the side of this that will allow one to capture video.

Apple's only saving grace is that I am not sure that anyone else has anything remotely close to the Touch with a camera. I am going to spend my money on a nice pocket camera - possible a Canon SD940is.

Maybe they do not know how to shoehorn this under the iPhone. But damn. I want a 64Gb iPhone. Where is that?

[Silverfox2000 Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:40PM]

if the Nano is getting those 2 things there is no way the Touch is going to remain long without them. Methinks Christmas would be a good time for the update.

[Mikey M Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:43PM]

Fox, Apple doesn't generally update a product line more than once per year, so I wouldn't expect any upgrade to the iTouch until next September, and certainly not as early as Christmas... unless the Zune HD actually gets some traction in the marketplace, then you'll see a "refresh" ASAP.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

want HD

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:35PM]

More importantly, how the hell do you take a picture/video with just your right hand? If you only use your right hand you're going to cover up the screen. How the hell will you see what you're taking a picture/video of? Ugghhh...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

How big are the pictures that the camera takes? I know apples specs on their site says the videos are 640x480, but what size are the pictures?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 3:15PM]

doesnt take pics

[Wwhat Posted Sep 9th 2009 8:19PM]

Pictures would look silly at that res, they are just saving themselves from embarrassment, the res is just barely good enough for some youtube-clone-site-that-hasn't-gone-HD-yet video.

[fanandualum Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

well this has been a major disappointment

[Rooshma Posted Sep 9th 2009 7:12PM]

Kinda reminds me of the night I spent with yours actually.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:28PM]

Ohm, nice :)

[Dafrety Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:29PM]

Am I the only one who thinks the shiny coating is a dumb idea? Sure it looks nice, but the second you touch it it's going picking up fingerprints. Every glossy device ever has had this issue.

[Darknezz22 Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:38PM]

...check the iTouches, shiny silver backs. Even in my rubber case its getting scratched up. Whats the point

[1 Posted Sep 9th 2009 2:40PM]

Just get your current nano and varnish it. Are apple trying to get people to call them turd polishers?