iPod nano
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Apple trying to keep iPod nano chip manufacturers a secret?
I should have noted this when we found iLounge's 2G iPod nano dissection gallery, but it seems that Apple has (strangely) opted to take a step towards keeping their new iPod chip manufacturer's identity under wraps (strange because we already knew Samsung won PortalPlayer's old contract). As iLounge notes about their gallery, you can see three chips stamped with Apple's logo, and absolutely none from PortalPlayer (which we were expecting). It is believed that Wolfson and Philips are the other two namelessly Apple-branded chips, though I have to admit I'm a bit perplexed as to why Apple went to all this trouble in the first place. I mean, their attention to detail is admirable, and their logo is cool and all - but how many nano owners do they expect will ever check under the hood?
First Impressions: iPod nano 2G
I broke down in the name of TUAW and picked up a new 8GB iPod nano. Of course, running out of space for workout jams on my 1GB nano might have had something to do with the purchase as well. I've put this second generation iPod nano through the trials enough (including some Nike+ runs) to warrant a first impressions post. Like others who have already weighed in, I'm pretty satisfied, but there certainly are some (mostly iTunes 7-related) quirks.I'd post unboxing pictures and all the typical stuff, but others have already been there, done that. I'd rather touch on the other little things that make product evolutions like this so (well, mostly) sweet.
8GB black 2G iPod nano gets unboxed
When Apple says "available now," they mean it. Just one day after the revamped nanos were announced at the "It's Showtime" event, some drool-worthy shots of the green and blue 2G nanos managed to surface, and now we're graced with a photoset containing the esteemed 8GB black-only model. Apparently following in the footsteps of the BlackBook, Apple is only offering the 8GB unit in a single color, so if black's your thing, be prepared to go high-end or bust in order to get one -- be sure to hit the read link for a luscious gallery of Tony Chang's presumably coveted 'Pod. Oh yeah, and PC Mag reviewed the 8GB unit, too, giving it a 4.5 / 5, and calling it the "finest flash player out there in terms of look and feel," and had only the usual nits with it: nonremovable battery, no FM tuner (oh, and something about buggy playback on longer tracks -- no way!). Still, looks for many to be a pretty solid investment; we'd suggest you wait until later today, however, to make any buying decisions on portable audio players, yeah?
iLounge dissects 2G iPod nano, posts gory details
Why, iLounge, why? The 2G iPod nano was announced barely two days ago. It still had its entire product cycle ahead of it! So young, so innocent.. and apparently so ripe for the dismantling. The gurus of all things iPod have dissected what looks like a silver 2G iPod nano (though I'm not sure whether it's 2GB or 4GB) for all the world to see.While the majority of us probably won't get much out of looking at this internal iPod guts pr0n, I can think of one basic lesson we can pass on to the iPod owning luddites of our lives: if they ever, during their experience of owning an iPod, see any of these parts from it - that's a bad thing.
Unboxing the 2G iPod nano
It's been just over 24 hours since Apple unveiled the 2nd Generation iPod nano, and the first unboxing shots are starting to trickle in. AppleInsider captured some super close-up images of a green model -- they even exposed some tiny flaws in the metal -- and sat it down for a powwow next to a 1G nano and a podgy 4G iPod. A Flickr user named Justin Williams also photographed the unboxing of his latest splurge, this time in the shadow of his monolithic Cinema Display -- and we thought Apple-heads were subtle types. Click on for a shot of Justin's blue box, or take your pick of the Read links for more second-gen nano pr0n.Read - AppleInsiderRead - Justin Williams
Flickr Find: Unpacking a gen 2 iPod nano
Ah, the ritualistic unpacking pictures that have become part of any new Apple product. This time around we get to see Justin Williams unbox his blue iPod nano (gen2). He even compares it to a first gen nano. I'm not sure which I like more, but I do know that they are both pretty sexy.
iPod nanos get storage boost, aluminum bodies, and colors
Dare I say, 'Return of the iPod mini?' Apple just revamped their entire line of iPod nanos, and the first thing that strikes you is that they are available in colors. Silver, pink, black, green, and blue though no white. The nanos also have a new aluminum body that makes them even better for jogging and other fitness activities.What else is new? Brighter screens and longer battery life, Apple claims that the nano will get 24 hours of life out of a single charge.You can choose from 2GB (silver only, $149), 4GB (silver, pink, green, blue $199), or 8GB (black only, $249) models, and Apple will throw in free laser engraving.Continue reading for a look at a nano in profile.
2G nano announced!
As expected, Apple's hot-selling iPod nano has been given a big-time update with some mini-like colors, new capacities, better displays, better batteries, and new pricing. They all sport an even-thinner aluminum case and are available in (again, mini-like) green, silver, black, blue, and pink. However, the 2GB and 8GB version are available in aluminum and black only, respectively. As for pricing, $149 for 2GB, $199 for 4GB, and $249 for the 8GB model. Apple sez: "Double the storage for the same price," and they're available today. What's more, the new packaging is 52% less volumetric than the old iPod nano, making it "environmentally friendly." Expect to see tons of these on the subway by next week.
Apple's "It's Showtime" event on September 12th confirmed
Yes, it appears that at least one part of the Apple rumor mill is true: there will be an Apple special event one week from today, on September 12, at 10:00AM Pacific (1:00PM Eastern, 5:00PM GMT) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in downtown San Francisco -- coinciding exactly with the opening day of the Apple Expo in Paris. Now for those of you keeping score at home, we may or may not see an updated nano, a new version of iTunes, a new Airport Express-type video streaming device, a new iMac, and/or possibly iTunes movie downloads. Or, his Steveness may pull another rabbit out of his hat entirely -- either way, you'll know where to find live, play-by-play coverage.[Via MacUser, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple's free iPod nano offer ends September 16th
Students: if you haven't gorged yourself on loans for that perfect Mac + iPod nano rig, or if you haven't begged your parents enough before being shipped off to the university - you have about 11 days left to do so. Apple's 'Buy a Mac and get a free iPod nano' offer ends this coming September 16th. I just received the notification email, and the picture in it (snapped as a JPEG and resized for this post) is surprisingly an animated GIF - the nano actually moves to help count down (up?) to 12. I don't remember the last time I've received an animated email from Apple, but I sure hope this doesn't preclude a new trend of flashing, 'Click here to club the seal and win a Mac!' marketing emails. More details, including which Macs are eligible (the Mac Pro is on the list now) are available at Apple's Back to School promo page.
Think Secret's skinny for Apple's September 12th event
Apple rumor mongering is at a fevered pitch with Apple's media event now just days away. Venerable rumor site Think Secret is citing sources calling for that 23-inch, Core 2 Duo iMac we heard about to drop along side 2nd generation iPod nanos. The new nanos, originally expected by TS in August, will be shoved out the door sporting new, multi-colored metalic cases presumably along the line of the now defunct iPod mini. But that's not enough for you is it fanboy? So TS is also calling for the launch of the highly anticipated iTunes Movie Store as well as capacity upgrades for the 5G iPod to store the new flix. No surprise on the bump in disk what with Toshiba already announcing their 40 and 80GB disks and all. Sorry folks, but that touch-screen video iPod just ain't gonna happen next week, according to TS that is.
Gold plated iPod nano
What do you get for the iPod owner that has everything? Why, a gold plated nano, of course! This nano sports a back cover that has been plated in 24 karat gold which qualifies it as 'bling,' methinks (isn't that what the kids say?) though the front is the standard black.Sadly, this golden nano was being auctioned off on Ebay's UK site, and the auction has closed. It does look like this particular eBay seller has a penchant for gold plating things, so it might pop up again.Now, if only I could get a gold plated 23 inch Apple Cinema Display.
Microsoft's Argo, Pyxis, Zune and Alexandria -- confused yet?
It's raining Zune rumors again, or more properly, "Project Argo" rumors, and far be it from us to keep these to ourselves. The latest word comes from BetaNews and their "sources close to the situation," and things just keep looking better coming from the Redmond camp. They're claiming that Microsoft will start showing off the device to the public in the last week of August, followed by more presentations mid-September, and an October release. The August announcement would come a few weeks after Apple is rumored to release new iPod nanos at WWDC, but would come a fair bit before the flagship iPod refresh is expected, giving Microsoft a great shot at the "you have to buy a new iPod at least once a year" crowd pining for a fix. BetaNews also has some more code names from Project Argo for us to kick around: Pyxis and Alexandria. The former is a rumored iPod nano competitor, with similar size and functions, but the addition of video support. The latter we've heard of before, back when Origami rumors were in their prime, and appears to be the music/video service that will complete Microsoft's utopian ideal of end-to-end content and device provider -- and which is sure to piss off a few PlaysForSure music services in the process.
Apple to give new iPod nano an aluminum makeover?
With some iPod revisions just around the corner -- at least according to the more optimistic rumor mongers among us -- there are new whispers of Apple pulling another design revision reminiscent of their iPod mini to nano transition. This time, though, they're taking it in reverse, and are supposedly outfitting their miniature player in aluminum to combat those scratches and durability problems that the nano was so given to. The aluminum is supposed to even come in various colors just like the mini did (pictured above), but the player is said to retain the same form factor as the nano, along with bumping the storage capacity to 8GB. These rumors are based on AppleInsider "sources," so we really have no way to verify their accuracy, but it seems pretty reasonable that Apple will do something about their players to combat those scratches and the accompanying lawsuits.
Eight ways to kill someone with an iPod nano
Here's an interesting feature that Apple, understandably, didn't place on the iPod nano's public feature list: deadly killing machine. A tongue-in-cheek article entitled "Eight ways to kill someone with an iPod nano, according to ex-marine Brad Collom" offers just that: a guide to killing someone (effectiveness not guaranteed) with a little plastic box that plays music. Who knew?Thanks, N.
Creative Zen V Plus reviewed
Looks like CNET managed to get a Zen V Plus from Creative a while ago, and have already put the thing through its paces and posted their glowing review of the device. First, and fairly notable: for sheer value, the Zen V and V Plus really have the iPod nano beat, since not only do Creative's new players feature similar capacity for a good bit less, but the players also have the quite convenient line-in capability, and V Plus adds in FM and video playback for a bit of extra nano smackdown. As for design, CNET seems to be a fan; noting its cute, Tamagotchi-like feel and form factor as a definite asset. They also felt more confident with the sturdier design of the player in comparison to the nano, which is thinner but taller than the Zen V, and didn't complain about the "bulk" in regards to pocketability. Unfortunately, the joystick is a bit small and cheap feeling, and the player lacks two of the face buttons of its big brother, the Zen Vision:M. We're also concerned about the lack of scrolling capability which does show up in the Sansa and nano, but we're just worriers like that. Apparently, the 1.5-inch OLED screen is looking good, with a bit of an visible pixel grid, and some bright sunlight problems, but overall "vivid" performance. We can't say that changes our mind about the actual functionality of video playback on this thing, but if you need to know, the V Plus supports MPEG-4, WMV, DivX and more, and comes with the ToolBox software to convert files for playback. The device of course supports MP3, WAV, PlaysForSure WMA and Audible audio, and you can nab podcasts with Creative's ZenCast software. Other than USB host capability, or WiFi, the Zen V Plus has about every feature you could ask for, even PIM functionality with Outlook syncing. As for what really matters, Zen V shines with 20 hours of batter life (5 more than Creative's 15 hour rating), and solid audio quality and volume. Sounds like Creative could have a winner on their hands, and CNET's Editors' Choice award can't hurt, but we're still not sure we've seen something that can actually manage to beat the nano at its own game in this market.
M-Cody's M20 merges nano with Chocolate
Why just swipe one product design when you could be keepin' it real fake-er with two unabashed design steals? M-Cody asks that question with their new M20 music player, which merges a few stylings of LG's uber-popular Chocolate phone with a nice helping of iPod nano to create a quite stylish and sexy -- if a bit unoriginal -- music player. The specs aren't that bad, with MP3, WMA and OGG support, flash storage ranging from 512MB to 2GB and a nano bustin' 1.1 to 1.4-ounce weight. The positively bulky 0.3-inch thickness doesn't quite match up though, and 128 x 64 pixel OLED display isn't going to win many awards either. We don't have a price or launch dates yet, but this presumably China-bound player isn't looking too shabby -- fakery and all.
The radJupiter cigarette lighter iPod dock
If you've been looking for a redundant iPod accessory that likely won't fit into 9 out of 10 cigarette lighters, this new radJupiter nano dock from Radius should fit the bill nicely. The little unit comes in white and black, and also has a shuffle version with a USB port instead of dock connector. Along with charging your iPod, the radJupiter contains an FM transmitter to get tunes to your stereo, and houses a stereo mini jack to get audio from other devices. You can get your rad on for about $50, but we're pretty sure that the rad-ness will be Japan only for the time being.
Incase releases exclusive New York commemorative case line
iLounge is reporting that Incase has pulled out all their case-making stops and introduced a complete lineup of cases for Apple products that commemorate New York and some of its major landmarks. To top things off, these cases are exclusive to the new 24/7 5th Avenue Apple Store that opened last weekend.The lineup consists of white and black cases for the 5G iPod, iPod nano and MacBook Pro. No word yet on whether Incase has been chosen to create the leather case for the giant glass cube that Dave mentioned yesterday.[image via iLounge]
Analysts predict 4GB and 8GB iPod nanos with video
Take the following information with the usual grain of salt; when it comes to speculation about Apple's intentions, nothing is ever certain until the esteemed Mr. Jobs is on stage, product in hand, delivering the pitch. This time around, we have word from AppleInsider that American Technology Research analysts are reporting that their most recent "checks" indicate impending capacity doubling for the iPod nano line-- to 4GB and 8GB -- as well as the addition of "basic video capabilities," in models to be released during the "September quarter." If true, none of these developments would be all that shocking, as the current nanos already have sharp little color screens, and storage boosts are just a natural part of any digital audio player's lifecycle. ATR's Shaw Wu also seemingly contradicted earlier AppleInsider info when he cited an anticipated June/July release window for the as-yet-unannounced 13.3-inch Intel-powered Macbook laptop, which AI had previously suggested would be available sometime before June.
