Apple unveils iPod nano

[AppleInsider]

Presenting on Wednesday to analysts and the media in San Francisco, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs introduced the iPod nano, a new full-featured iPod that holds 1,000 songs yet is thinner than a standard #2 pencil and*less than half the size of competitive players.

The iPod nano features*an ultra-portable, lightweight design with a color screen, Apple’s patent pending Click Wheel and the ability to hold 1,000 songs or*25,000 photos.

The player is available immediately in a 4GB model priced at $249 and*a 2GB model priced at $199,*with both models available in white or black designs.

“iPod nano is the biggest revolution since the original iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod nano is a full-featured iPod in an impossibly small size, and it’s going to change the rules for the entire portable music market.”

Thinner than a standard #2 pencil*and*weighing only 1.5 ounces, iPod nano can hold up to 1,000 songs in its 4GB model and 500 songs*in the configuration. It features optional accessories including lanyard headphones, which*integrate the headphone cables*into the lanyard, so users can wear their iPod nano around their neck without dangling headphone cables.*

For users looking to personalize their iPod nano with colors, an optional set of iPod nano Tubes in pink, purple, blue, green and clear offers fashionable protection in a sheer casing while enabling full operation of all functions including the player's Click Wheel. Meanwhile, optional armbands available in gray, pink, blue, red and green allow users to wear their iPod nano as the ultimate fashion and sports accessory.

iPod nano features the same 30-pin dock connector as the iPod and iPod mini, allowing it to work effortlessly with a wide range of over 1,000 accessories developed for iPod, including home stereo speakers and iPod car adapters.



Sporting integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox,*iPod nano includes Apple’s Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads a user’s digital music collection, photos or Podcasts onto iPod nano and keeps it up-to-date whenever iPod nano is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using USB 2.0.

The nano's high-resolution color screen allows users to display album art while playing music, view photo slideshows or play games in full color.*The iPod nano features up to*14 hours battery life and completely skip-free playback, as well as new stopwatch, world clock and screen lock applications.

Pricing & Availability

The 4GB and 2GB*white and black*models of iPod nano for Mac or Windows are available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $249 (US) and $199 (US) respectively, through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod nano models include earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 cable and a CD with iTunes for Mac and Windows computers.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[troberts]

While the iPod nano combines the best of the shuffle (no skip) and mini (click-wheel, screen) with updated features (color screen, photos) I will miss the minis. I was planning on buying a green mini after Christmas, but now I will have to see the nano in person to determine if I want to hunt for a mini from a non-Apple source or get a nano.

[gremlin]

Oooo! small-tastic!

I want both! a black one for night time use and a white for day!

no... black for day white for nite!

[G_Warren]

Looks okay, but is it just me or does it look like a mock-up that someone on the AI boards would have made?!

[stustanley]

does anyone know if you can show photos on an external screen like you can with the iPod (Photo)?

stu

[regan]

I WAS going to get a green ipod mini too. But now I guess not. I REALLY dig the black ipodnano...but one thing that kinda bugs me i think...is the earphone connector is on the BOTTOM. What the Fuh?

Won't that get in the way? I guess I will have to check it out in person. Black looks cool though.

What about apples student/free ipod mini promo that was suppose to run until the 24th? Is that over now? Can you still get a free green ipod mini?

[GordonComstock]

Originally posted by regan
but one thing that kinda bugs me i think...is the earphone connector is on the BOTTOM. What the Fuh?

With a case that thin and the screen that close to the top of the unit, there's probably not room inside for the the plug/jack.

GC

[regan]

i figured that. makes logical sense.

Still...could be a problem no? Especially for an active individual. Gonna have to check this one out up close and personal before i order online.

other than the earphone position, i'm sold.

[Engine Joe]

Originally posted by regan
i figured that. makes logical sense.

Still...could be a problem no? Especially for an active individual. Gonna have to check this one out up close and personal before i order online.

other than the earphone position, i'm sold.

If you check out the lanyard headphones setup, the bottom-placed jack makes a bit more sense.

[Xool]

I totally dig the new look!

[regan]

I never see anyone using the necklace style. Everyone I know who uses the shuffle has the armband. Looks cooler, and doesn't bounce around in your face. I mean honestly, the smaller size is marketed for those with an active lifestyle...excercising and what not. You can't RUN effectively with it hanging around your neck. Not unless you want a chipped tooth.

[Reid]

Originally posted by regan
...but one thing that kinda bugs me i think...is the earphone connector is on the BOTTOM. What the Fuh?

I thought the same thing, but then wondered what position you'd be using it in that would matter? In your pocket, who cares if the thing is right-side-up or not?

[melgross]

The only problem is that after all of the press reports about how it was going to be either 4 or 8GB's, with a longer battery life, at the same prices, I'm disappointed.

It seems as though everyone got it wrong except for the color screen.

No 2GB Shuffle, no 8GB Mini. Instead we get this compromise.

I would have prefered it to be a bit thicker and get at least 20 hours life. This is going backwards.

How will people react to less for the same? Color screen and size excepted.

[regan]

Theres ALOT to like. I don't think its a compromise, because the extreme small size makes up for it in my mind. Kinda like they morphed the shuffle and mini into one with a color screen. So it is kinda huge.

Still the earphone thing bugs me. Could be a problem.

[nagromme]

Originally posted by regan
...but one thing that kinda bugs me i think...is the earphone connector is on the BOTTOM.

I think I'd like it there. Less messy with lanyards and perfect in your pocket (now you can put your iPod in head down so the controls "feel" upside-right--and Skip is on the right!). Case designers will have to adapt to the new style of course--and they will. Other accessories like FM xmitters will now snap on the bottom, which sounds very convenient and easy to hold, to me. No more "top-heavy" add-ons.

And the jack on top has its advantages too--but bottom isn't a bad thing to me.

Re TV out--looks like a "no" from the specs. I bet the chip used in this doesn't support TV. Would have been cool, I agree. But they don't list the TV cable as an accessory so I don't think the feature is there. Photos are just an "extra" then.

[CosmoNut]

Originally posted by melgross
How will people react to less for the same? Color screen and size excepted.

It'll be a hit. Shuffle sales are screwed. This is the ultimate definition of "upsell."

I like it. This is what I want for exercising and activity. I'll probably eventually get one, but another iPod is WAY down on the priority list of expenditures.

[dfiler]

Originally posted by melgross
I'm disappointed.

Heheh, I don't think anyone is suprised by that.


Don't take this the wrong way, but almost all of your posts are negative. (Or at least that is the way it comes off to this non-new-yorker) Not that there is anything wrong with that... what else would we have to rile us up here.


Portable electronics are all about tradeoffs. I wouldn't characterize apple as "not getting it". All of the major electronics manufacturers have been trying their best to offer products with an appealing feature set. Yet none seem to come out with the "right" product like apple has with the iPod/iTunes.

I'm going to bet on Apple's track record with iPods and assert that the nano is exactly what millions of consumers want, even more so than the iPod mini.

Disappointed? Not me.

[melgross]

Originally posted by regan
Theres ALOT to like. I don't think its a compromise, because the extreme small size makes up for it in my mind. Kinda like they morphed the shuffle and mini into one with a color screen. So it is kinda huge.

Still the earphone thing bugs me. Could be a problem.

No room on the top. Look at how far up the screen is. As it's so thin, there's no room behind the screen for a jack.

I don't see it as a problem. If I put it in my pants pocket, I would put it in upside down. That way when I take it out it's facing the right way. Otherwise it has to be turned around.

It would be good if the software let you flip the screen so that either way was up. Maybe someone could write something to enable that.

[khkoo]

I wish I can use firewire dock connector with nano.

[M1C]

does anyone know if the education discount counts toward the Mini, I just used to get a green Mini with my new 20" G5 iMac and I was wondering if I could get a black Nano instead. Or if not does anyone know if all the mini accesories will be going on sale for cheap.

[melgross]

Originally posted by dfiler
Heheh, I don't think anyone is suprised by that.


Don't take this the wrong way, but all of your posts are negative. (Or at least that is the way it comes off to this non-new-yorker) Not that there is anything wrong with that... what else would we have to rile us up here.


Portable electronics are all about tradeoffs. I wouldn't characterize apple as "not getting it". All of the major electronics manufacturers have been trying their best to offer products with an appealing feature set. Yet none seem to come out with the "right" product like apple has with the iPod/iTunes.

I'm going to bet on Apple's track record with iPods and assert that the nano is exactly what millions of consumers want, even more so than the iPod mini.

Disappointed? Not me.

Then you haven't read most of my posts. I'm just not automatically impressed with something. I suppose that after having designed electronics for a fair number of years, I expect that some things would be done slightly different.

I think the Mini's were (are) great. I like most Apple products, but not all. Some could have been easily made better with just a slight tweek. I think that this is one of them. I see all the posts that now say that 14 hours are enough. When we first heard about the flash Mini's, people were estatic about maybe getting 30 hours. I think 20 would have been great. Another 1/16" of depth would have achieved that. I know the battery size they're using.

Nothing's perfect.

[melgross]

Originally posted by CosmoNut
It'll be a hit. Shuffle sales are screwed. This is the ultimate definition of "upsell."

I like it. This is what I want for exercising and activity. I'll probably eventually get one, but another iPod is WAY down on the priority list of expenditures.

I actually DO like it, and might buy one. I have the 60 now because I use it for other things as well.

[AquaMac]

Nano? in black? Kewl. ...but what about the iPod Phone in black?

[regan]

The ipod phone should look like the Razr!

[SpamSandwich]

Originally posted by AquaMac
Nano? in black? Kewl. ...but what about the iPod Phone in black?

That would be tooooo kewl.

Frankly, I think Moto underdesigned this thing. Compared to the Razr, this phone looks VERY plain.

[nwhysee]

Just bought a 2gig black nano. holla

[Lorre]

I like everything about it except the storage space... 4gig just isn't enough for me...

Ah well... I'll just have to wait untill they make a 6gig model.

[danielctull]

Originally posted by nagromme
Re TV out--looks like a "no" from the specs. I bet the chip used in this doesn't support TV. Would have been cool, I agree. But they don't list the TV cable as an accessory so I don't think the feature is there. Photos are just an "extra" then.

I see "Apple iPod AV Cable" listed under the iPod nano Cables & Docks accessories bit.

No s-video on the dock though...

I think I'd have preferred a colour iPod mini with 8GB, at least then it would seem that the storage on the smaller iPods would be catching up with the size of my library (around 14GB) and one day a small iPod could replace my 40GB iPod. It now seems that they'll just keep shrinking the small iPod range...

[1984]

I don't see why they had to kill off the iPod mini though. They could have had one with a color screen and 10GB hard drive out in time for the holidays. It would have made a great mid-range iPod. Just one model in five colors sitting between the iPod nano and the iPod. So what happened to the Shuffle price drops?

I can't wait until they unveil the Mac nano!

[icfireball]

i would have kept & updated the mini to 8 and 10 GB or the general vacinity. Sorry but the minis were really hot.

[CosmoNut]

Anybody know of actual pictures yet?

[Cube]

Can these Nano's be used in disk mode?

I realy hope so! I have ordered a black 4 Gb and I'm gonna sell my 20 Gb ipod and 1Gb shuffle!

[regan]

The metallic look of the minis did have a great appeal. They were both masculine and feminine depending on the color. I think ALOT of people of all ages will miss them.

But the nanos are good too. But the minis were apples BEST selling ipods...so it should be interesting to see the reaction.

[jwdawso]

I'm wondering if the next iPod update will be close to the iPod Mini size? The new notebook size hard drives recently announced are smaller, lighter, and less power hungry, so the new iPod could look like the iPod Mini. Then again, maybe the iPod mini will be "re-released" with an 8GB drive at a similar price to the Nano. Options, options, so many options!

melgross - admit it - you're a typical engineer (which I resemble) that always looks at what could have been. Perfection for one is left-field to another. Besides, the perfect one will never come out because there is something better around the corner. Designing stops, and production begins, then the next model gets the further improvements.

[Fox Hound]

how high (in GB's) do you reckon they will go WITH the nano ipod, can you see it replacing the regular ipod ? maybe a slightly large one with 20gb - 80gb ?

[nathan22t]

OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!

[melgross]

Originally posted by 1984
I don't see why they had to kill off the iPod mini though. They could have had one with a color screen and 10GB hard drive out in time for the holidays. It would have made a great mid-range iPod. Just one model in five colors sitting between the iPod nano and the iPod. So what happened to the Shuffle price drops?

I can't wait until they unveil the Mac nano!

An 8GB Hd is as large as they could have gone. That's the largest 1" drive announced.

I agree about not killing it off. The Mini was a jewel. Actually one of the most beautiful devices I've ever seen. Esp. in green. The most popular color.

I think that they should have kept one and made it an 8.

[Xool]

Originally posted by khkoo
I wish I can use firewire dock connector with nano.

Who says you can't?

What I'm sure you can't use is the iPod wired remote.

[melgross]

Originally posted by Xool
Who says you can't?

What I'm sure you can't use is the iPod wired remote.

Apparently you can use Firewire to charge but not to sync. I suppose that means using the dock. It's the same connector.

[Cube]

Is there anyone that know if the Nano can be used as a thumb drive just like the shuffeles? Ore as a hd like the big iPods?