Home: Posted 2010

iPod Nano: Introduction

The first iPod Nano was released in 2005, and to much hype and media frenzy. The Nano has generally been the midrange model of the iPod range, costing more than the Shufffle, but less than the Classic. With it's introduction, the Nano replaced the iPod Mini, and in the process became the fastest selling iPod in history. The reason that Apple decided to replace the Mini with the Nano was flash memory. The Mini used a Microdrive hard disk, whereas the Nano was the first iPod to use flash memory.

The advantage of using flash memory is that it consumes less power, does not suffer from skipping, and is smaller and lighter, meaning a smaller and lighter mp3/media player. Using flash memory enabled Apple to build an iPod which weighed just 1.5 oz and measured only 3.5 in - 1.6 in - 0.27 in dimension. The slimline nature of the Nano became the key reason for the hype surrounding it's release, with many media publications noting that it was barely larger than a credit card.

iPod Nano: Generations

  iPod Nano 1st Generation. Released in Black and White.

  iPod Nano 2nd Generation. Released in Silver, Blue, Green, Pink, Red and Black.

  iPod Nano 3rd Generation. Released in Silver, Light Blue, Light Green, Pink and Black.

  iPod Nano 4th Generation. Released in Silver, Pink, Black, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Red and Orange.

  iPod Nano 5th Generation. Released in Silver, Pink, Black, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Red and Orange.

  iPod Nano 6th Generation. Released in Silver, Red, Graphite, Blue, Green, Orange and Pink.

The first generation Nano was not without controversy. Apple decided to solder it's battery to the circuit board, making manual replacement problematic. Whereas, with the Mini, the opposite was the case. The main criticism of the Nano was it's build quality and LCD display. Many users reported that the LCD screen scratched with little provocation, and to such a degree that nothing became legible. Even though Apple agreed to replace a number of 'supposed' faulty models, many owners were so disgruntled that they created a class action lawsuit against Apple.

Apple had obviously listened to the complaints, releasing a scratch resistant casing for the second generation Nano. But the slimline nature of the Nano still posed the same problem, with tests indicating that the second generation Nano would break after falling once onto a hard surface. The third generation Nano was the first model capable of playing video files, with a wider and heavier design, it combines aluminum and stainless steel in it's casing.

Apple obviously thought that the squashed down heavier design of the 3rd generation Nano did not capture the imaginations of the public. The fourth generation Nano returned to a traditional narrow rectangle design, and it also became the lightest and thinnest Nano to date, weighing just 1.3 oz. This Nano has also been referred to as the 'Nano Chromatic'. It came in nine colours, such as hot pink. The casing also arches, which is a first.

Alongside the fourth generation Nano, Apple released a selection of new software features. Two of these are, iTunes 'Genius', which selects songs that fit well together and then creates a playlist, and 'Shake to Shuffle', which moves to a new song with a flick of the wrist. Recent reviews have commented on the improved functionality and personality of the 4th generation Nano in comparison to the 3rd generation Nano. The 4th generation Nano has been criticised for it's lack of wireless streaming, a memory card slot or a built in speaker.

The 5th generation Nano was launched in 2009, it's basically the same design as the 4th generation Nano, but with a slightly larger screen. It also came packaged with a microphone and an FM radio. The 6th generation Nano has gone back to basics, it's the smallest Nano to date, measuring 37.5 mm by 41 mm. Viewing it front on, it basically appears to be nothing but a 1.54 inch touch screen. Due to it's smaller dimensions, the Nano no longer has a camera, a scroll wheel or video playback.