6 days with the new iPod nano: Full of pleasant surprises

by MALIN GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 167 (November 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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ANUP PRAKASH

Apple released the fifth iteration of its popular iPod  nano series. Here are our final thoughts after using the new nano for six days.

Day 1
It is shiny, very shiny! Looks similar to its older brother but feels more luxurious and sleek. iPods seem to get thinner with each iteration and this one is no exception. The display is a tad bigger, but turn over the device to find the biggest difference. It now sports a camera and an in-built mic. This iPod now shoots videos, full-blown VGA resolution videos. No stills though, only videos.

Day 2
I am pleasantly surprised to see the new Radio option on the menu. Although not a regular radio-listener, it still is a nice feature to have, considering that the older iPods needed chunky, often overpriced add-ons to be able to play radio. Reception is strong and with the Live Pause feature, you can pause, fast-forward and rewind live radio.

Day 3
By now, the iPod feels right at home. I've been playing with this thing for three days now and the battery just ran out. The battery life is amazing, though it will depend on the applications you use.

Day 4
Another pleasant surprise comes in the form of a built-in pedometer. Are there anymore surprises left? The pedometer counts each and every step you take, with reliable precision. It also has a nifty fitness application that shows the amount of calories you burn as you walk!

Day 5
I accidentally pulled the headphone out of the socket and to my great surprise the music continued to play, through a speaker. Yes, this nano has a speaker. And it's loud, loud as any cell phone speaker out there. Dig inside the menus and you'll find a voice-recorder. No need to attach bulky mic accessories though, as it has a built-in mic. Apple has surely outdone itself with this iPod.

Day 6
There has never been a more perfect time to buy an iPod. The new nano is a capable video camera, a nifty radio, a recorder, a reliable pedometer and much more. Did I say it also plays music and videos? With such an impressive array of features jam-packed into a tiny device, the iPod nano 5th generation might be the perfect iPod out there. Strongly recommended.

Apple iPod nano 5G
Price: Rs 15,000/ Rs 19,500
Size: 8GB/16GB
Pros: Decent video camera, mic and speaker. Awesome sound quality. Long battery life.
Cons:  Not for those with large hands.