Jan Zdarsa At the beginning of September, a new generation of iPods was introduced, so I decided to take a look at the fifth generation iPod Nano. You can read how much I liked or disliked the new iPod Nano in the following review.
iPod Nano 5th generation
The iPod Nano 5th generation comes in nine different colors with 8 or 16GB of memory. In the package, in addition to the iPod Nano itself, you will find headphones, a charging (data) USB 2.0 cable, an adapter for docking stations and, of course, a short manual. Everything is packed in a minimalistic plastic package, as we are used to from Apple.
Appearance
For testing, I borrowed a 5th generation iPod Nano in blue from the Kuptolevne.cz company, and I must say that at first glance, the iPod gave me a very luxurious impression. The blue is definitely darker and brighter than the previous model, and that's not a bad thing at all. When you hold the new iPod Nano in your hand, you will definitely be surprised by how it is incredibly light. In addition, it feels much thinner in your hands than it actually is.
At the same time, the body is made of aluminum and the iPod Nano should be durable enough. The display has increased from the previous 2 inches to 2,2 inches and thus the resolution has increased to 240×376 (from the original 240×320). Although the display is much more widescreen, it's still no standard 16:9. You can view the gallery of this blue model on the Kuptolevne.cz blog in the post "We have him! New iPod Nano 5th generation".
Video camera
The biggest attraction of this year's model should be the built-in video camera. So you can very easily capture video snapshots while, for example, running around with an iPod Nano on your waist. We'll see how people like this new iPod Nano feature, but personally I have to say that I record video on the iPhone 3GS quite often.
The quality of the video can't even compare to the video from a quality camera, but this is the one for capturing snapshots the quality is absolutely sufficient. Also, how often will you have a quality camera with you and how often will you have an iPod Nano? In terms of video quality, the iPod Nano is similar to the iPhone 3GS, although the videos from the iPhone 3GS are a bit better. To give you an idea, I have prepared sample videos on YouTube for you, or you can certainly find a lot of them on YouTube yourself.
You can record video both classically and with the use of up to 15 different filters - you can easily record in black and white, with a sepia or thermal effect, but with iPod Nano you can also record the world as if you were looking into a kaleidoscope or possibly as a Cyborg. I will not evaluate the practicality of the given filters, but, for example, black-and-white recording will certainly be used by many users.
It's unbelievable how a simple video camera could fit into such a thin device, but unfortunately, the iPod Nano was unable to put optics at least as good as, for example, in the iPhone 3GS. So although the current optics are sufficient for video recording in 640×480 resolution, it would no longer be the same for some photography. That's why Apple decided not to offer iPod Nano users the ability to take photos, and iPod Nano can really only record video.
FM Radio
I don't understand why Apple was so resistant to building an FM radio into the iPod. The FM radio works great in the iPod Nano, and I wouldn't be surprised if many users would appreciate it more than a full video camera.
You tune the radio in the appropriate menu by pressing the middle button and then moving your finger around the wheel as you are used to with iPods. By holding down the middle button, you can add the radio station to your favorites. There was only one thing that disappointed me at this stage. This is because the iPod Nano only displays the frequency instead of the station name in the list of favorite stations. At the same time, it also shows the name of the station on the screen with the radio on, so it should definitely be listening from somewhere.
But the FM radio in the iPod Nano is not just an ordinary radio. It is certainly an interesting feature "Live Pause" function, where you can go back up to 15 minutes in playback. You can easily play your favorite song or an interesting interview several times in a row. I really welcome this feature.
The iPod Nano should also be able to tag songs, when after holding down the middle button, the "Tag" function should appear in the menu. Unfortunately, I was unable to get this feature working. I'm not a technical guy so I don't understand RDS too much, but I would expect this feature to work fine for us.
Voice recorder
Video is also recorded with sound, which means that the new iPod Nano has a built-in microphone. Apple also used it to create a voice recorder for the iPod Nano. The entire application looks similar to the one in the new version of iPhone OS 3.0. Of course, you can easily sync your voice memos to iTunes. If you intend to save notes this way for processing later, you will certainly find the quality sufficient.
Built-in speaker
I previously overlooked that the new iPod Nano also has a tiny speaker. This is a very practical feature, especially when playing videos to friends. This way you don't have to take turns using the headphones, but you can all watch the video at the same time. You can also listen to recorded music in the same way, but the speaker will not work with the radio, you must have headphones plugged in here. The speaker is sufficient for quieter rooms, headphones must be used in noisy places.
Pedometer (Nike+)
Another novelty in the new iPod Nano is the pedometer. Just set your weight, turn on the sensor, and your steps are immediately counted without any additional device in your shoe. In addition to the time since switching on and counting the steps taken, the calories burned are also displayed here. This number should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, but as a guideline it's not bad.
Not missing calendar with pedometer history, so you can see at any time how many steps you took each day and how many calories you burned. By connecting iPod Nano to iTunes, you can also send your pedometer stats to the Nike+ site. Of course, the website won't show you how far you ran or where you ran. For this you would already need the complete Nike+ Sport Kit.
In the previous iPod Nano model, a Nike+ sensor was built in to receive the signal from Nike+. In this model, it was replaced by a pedometer, and in order to receive a signal from Nike+, you will have to purchase a complete Nike+ Sport Kit. The Nike+ receiver plugs in the same way as previous generations, that is, you plug the Nike+ receiver into the dock socket.
other functions
The 5th generation iPod Nano also has classic functions that we are used to from previous models, whether it's a calendar, contacts, notes, stopwatch and a bunch of different settings (eg equalizer) and filtering. There are also three games – Klondike, Maze and Vortex. Klondike is a card game (Solitaire), Maze uses an accelerometer and your goal is to get a ball through a maze (so don't be surprised if you see someone wringing their hand with an iPod on public transport) and Vortex is an Arkanoid for iPod that is controlled with a wheel.
záver
I find the current design of the iPod Nano (and indeed the fourth generation) amazing, and it will be difficult for Apple to come up with something new that would be interesting. Thin, great to control with a big enough display, what more could you want? However, the design has not changed much from the previous model, so Apple had no choice but to at least add an FM radio. Personally, I really like the iPod Nano 5th generation a lot and think it's the best ever the most successful iPod in history. On the other hand, iPod Nano 3rd or 4th generation owners won't see much reason to buy a new model, not that much has changed. But if you're looking for a stylish music player, the iPod Nano 5th generation is the one for you.
Pros
+ Thin, light, stylish
+ FM radio
+ Sufficient video camera quality
+ Voice recorder
+ Tiny speaker
+ Pedometer
Cons
– It is not possible to take photos
– Missing Nike+ receiver
– Just regular headphones without controls
– Maximum of only 16GB of memory
She loaned the company Kuptolevne.cz
iPod Nano 8GB
Price: CZK 3 incl. VAT
Excellent review for an excellent product.
Thank you for the review.
I also found a kindred spirit in you who doesn't wonder what the radio is for. I use it quite often when traveling. And the pedometer is also nice. It's another thing I would use. However, I have one question. Can iPod Nano create audio loops? It is a great thing that you will most often use when learning languages, transcribing an audio recording, etc.
Thanks for the reply
Hello, Nike+ doesn't work on this iPod or what?
Petr: of course, the radio is great - and not that it isn't :-D
I hope they put it on the phone too...
I don't know if we understand each other exactly. For me, it's not about repeating the whole song (file), but only about a selected section. On other mp3s, this is done by pressing the REC (record) button to start the loop while listening (playing) and to end the loop by pressing REC again. This creates a loop with the length of just one word or sentence, etc.
Apropos, I don't think it's a good idea to log into the discussion under the same name that already appears in the discussion. If I see that someone has already used the name Petr, I personally use e.g. Petr1. Just an aside for Peter, who was interested in Nike+. It makes the discussion unclear.
Thanks.
Someone recently told me that even the iPod touch can't do that. At the same time, it is a useful "crap", which is quite commonly found in many even very cheap mp3 players. Sometimes I just don't understand Jobs :-)
Hello, I have a question - is it somehow possible to get the recorded videos from the ipod nano to the computer? I can't see them in itunes and I don't know what to do with it. Thanks…. Pavel
Please, how is it possible to get a video from an ipod nano to a computer?? I'm not doing well I'm not doing well….
I have a 4th generation iPod nano and I plug the nike adapter into the dock connector. Only after inserting it :-D did the menu appear.
hello, I want to ask about detailed instructions for recording songs from a computer and if if I record songs from one computer, if it is also possible from another... thanks in advance
Hello. Yesterday I bought an ipod nano 5th generation. It's really great, but I'm disappointed that it can't (like the mp3 I returned the day before yesterday because of it) create folders! How is that possible? is it with all new mp3s? How am I supposed to know music when it's all together? I want to create a folder: romantic music...but that's not possible. Thank you
You have to create those folders in iTunes ;)
I want to ask if it is possible to play music in headphones and not just loud.
Of course.
I'm quite disappointed, the music is pretty quiet... like when I play it without headphones, with... older mp3s, the music could be played twice as loud
can you tell if it has a speaker at all, the fact that it only has one, and it's still under an aluminum cover, I think it plays decently
I still have a question. The instructions say that the ipod is turned off by long pressing the play button. Well, yes, but when I turn it off, I just need to touch it, or put it in my pocket and it turns on..what I don't understand is, if I turn it off with a long press, I also turn it on with a long press, right? thanks for the reply
and I also want to ask if it is possible to get some games for the ipod on the Internet or somewhere else?
Can I add more games to the iPod Nano? Does anyone have experience with the team?
Jablickar: But I probably won't find games on the iPod Nano
Ok I found it. All are paid
I bought this beauty, but I can't manage itunes at all, so I put an mp3 in the sharepod software, and for a change, I can't manage the arrangement that occurs in the ipod thanks to a poorly or not tagged MP3. Does anyone have any useful software when I could re-tag it? Otherwise, it's a really beautiful machine
with iTunes it's the simplest and clearest possible... try to find someone who knows how to do it, they'll explain it to you, there's nothing wrong with it ;D
Hello, I wanted to ask if the ipod nano can only be charged on a computer? and what else is that white thing with a hole in the middle for an ipod?
why don't you answer??
Hello, I would like to ask about instructions on how to get movies or videos into this iPod, please give detailed instructions..I am a so-called layman...Thank you very much for the answer...
WLoSA
via iTunes after all ;)
thanks a lot
but you don't know the procedure like I mean e.g. iTunes and what procedure should I use to put it in the iPod...
oh yeah thanks...I didn't know it was that easy..
I am thinking of buying a new iPod and I want to ask if it is worth it and if the iPod nano seems too small to you?
Hello,
Today my iPod got wet. I immediately wiped it, but the screen is white when turned on (you can see what is written on it). it got better because it was originally black. The speaker is already playing, but I'm not too sure if there's still water in it, given the white screen it's likely... I don't want to go to the repair shop, it's tiny and I can already see how they would take it apart there, but not put it back. Buying a new one is probably useless. I will be very grateful for a quick reply
I recommend trying our forum at http://forum.14205.w5.wedos.net. There are a lot of experienced users out there, unfortunately I don't have any advice.. :(
Hello, and please give me some advice. I have a 16GB ipod nano, I had a volume limit set there, entered a numerical code, changed it, and for some reason I probably changed the code and I can't get there anymore. Is it possible to set it again? Thank you very much.
Petra: first try if the passcode doesn't disappear after connecting to your computer.. If it recognizes "its" computer, it might be enough for it. If not, it will be necessary to restore in iTunes = everything will be deleted, but the passcode will disappear. If that doesn't help, come to forum.14205.w5.wedos.net for advice! :)
After connecting, nothing happens, and I couldn't find tunes restore. That's right :-D. But anyway, thanks for the quick reply, I'll follow the link.
iTunes refuses to sync with my iPod, even if I give sync it syncs for a while, but nothing changes. That's how it was until today. Today the sync deleted the music from my iPod and I can't get it back...pls advise :(
Kiki: if you have already deleted your music, feel free to restore the device... it will help...
Hello, I have a question about the iPod nano 5. It concerns iTunes and synchronization. My question is, is it possible to upload mp3 files to the iPod without iTunes. Raw mp3 rudely copied to iPod if they can be played?? Thanks.
It's a great machine, great features, and great refinement...
– unfortunately, the sound quality is a bit worse there…..when it is so choppy. but you can…. it's just not like classic MP3s - sometimes the sound is distorted...
I have one question……. I put some albums on my iPod with iTunes and I managed to set up nice pictures quite easily. But I have a problem... How can I create a folder where I would put the second mkapela? First I put 11 albums from Nightwish there and now I would like to put some Metallica there too. But when I move the whole folder there, it fits into the albums from the first group (Nightwish). what about the team….