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Apple iPod touch 2G and nano 4G: The Engadget Review
It's been just over a week since we ran a smash-and-grab at Apple's unveiling of its newest entries to the iPod family, the nano 4G and touch 2G. The devices, both set along an evolutionary (rather than revolutionary) path have certainly been nipped, tucked, and updated -- but we wanted to know if they'd been improved at all. For the nano, we've seen some iteration of the same device for years now, leaving questions as to how much further you can take a low-end music player, while the touch is another story completely; a handheld which treads that ever-thinning line between entertainment device and micro-computer. Do either of these products hit their marks, or has Apple overextended itself in its pursuit of market saturation? Keep reading to find out.
iPod touch 2G unboxing, hands-on, and first impressions
We'll tell you that when we first got a chance to handle Apple's latest generation of the iPod touch on Tuesday, our gadget-nerd alarms went clanging like there was a really, really bad fire somewhere. The improvements the company has made in design aren't remarkable, but they are entirely welcome. The new housing is smooth, incredibly thin, and feels like a solid metal brick in your hands. The built-in speaker is a nice addition, as are those volume controls (finally!) -- the screen is incredibly bright (on par with the iPhone 3G), though it also looks like it got the 3G's new color temperature. On the software side, 2.1 is definitely feeling smoother and slicker than previous versions, the Nike+ inclusion is huge if you're a runner, and the implementation is well integrated -- overall, we're leaning towards a thumbs-up on those bug fixes too. Unfortunately, we couldn't seem to get the Genius function working on the device (anyone else having this issue?), though that may be more of a server-side conflict than something funky with the player, as we were getting errors in iTunes when trying to flip the switch. We'll be blowing this out with a full review, but for now you can enjoy the succulent pics in the gallery below!%Gallery-31721%
Disassembled Nano and iPod Touch
The screwdriver-happy mavens over at iFixit.com have taken it upon themselves to disassemble the iPod Nano 4g and the iPod Touch 2g announced at Tuesday's Let's Rock event. Take-aparts are always cool, but the dissection of the iPod Touch 2g is especially interesting because it reveals that the device actually has an on-board Bluetooth chip! Although this is likely what is powering the built-in Nike+ support, this particular chipset supports EDR and -- if we're really lucky -- could potentially support A2DP for wireless stereo headphones. On the Nano's side, the new glass screen is separate from the metal casing. The battery is soldered into the logic board, which makes replacement probably more trouble (and more expensive) than it is worth. The processor is an Apple-branded Samsung ARM chip. And although his Steve-ness went on about how the newest Nano is the thinnest iPod ever, we're talking micrometers when stacked up with the original and second generation Nano. Still, thin is in!Read through both of iFixit's guides for more details at the interior and take-apart instructions in the event of a self-repair emergency.[via Register Hardware]
Apple's 'Let's Rock' event roundup
We know it's been a long day of Apple news, what with all those colorful new nanos, the thin-as-all-get-out touch, a fresh version of iTunes, and that forthcoming iPhone / touch update (and don't forget about those new shuffle colors). It's all a lot to take in, but as usual, we're presenting it to you in one delicious, easy to digest roundup. Enjoy!The liveblog:Live from Apple's 'Let's Rock' event in San FranciscoHands-on coverage:iPod nano 4G hands-oniPod touch 2G - first hands-onProduct announcements:iPod classic refreshed, only comes in 120GB flavor nowOfficial: iPod nano reaches 4G, looks tall for its ageiPod touch updated -- same screen, new case, Nike+ integrationApple introduces $79 in-ear headphonesOne more thing: New iPod shuffle colorsiTunes / iPhone / touch updates:Apple launches iTunes 8, NBC comes back, TV shows at $1.99, Genius in the houseiPhone 2.1 software update announced (update: $10 for some iPod touch owners)iPod touch 2.1 firmware update now available
New iPod Touch, nano dimensions leaked?
The event is real, and that of course brings with it the usual flood of rumors and speculation. Latest off the rumor mill assembly line is supposedly the leaked dimensions of a new iPod Touch and nano -- iLounge has their hands on what they claim are dimensional drawings of the new iPod nano and a "Touch 2G," which, as you might guess, is an iPod Touch redesigned with iPhone 3G specs in mind. We'd say that you should make sure to take the requisite grain of salt with these, but with all the rumors Apple fans end up eating, we're kind of worried about your blood pressure by now. Better stay away from this one -- we'll know next week whether it's real or not.We should say, though, that the nano design does look similar to the one originally posted by Kevin Rose a little while ago, which gives credence to both rumors. On the other hand, if someone was manufacturing dimensional drawings and claiming they were real, wouldn't they make them line up to the majority of the rumors so far?
