If you are the sort who uploads videos regularly to the likes of YouTube, we have just two words of advice about the iPod nano buy it!
If you are the sort who uploads videos regularly to the likes of YouTube, we have just two words of advice about the iPod nano buy it!
Even if you are new to the Apple world, you know a few things about their products they tend to appear quirky to the non-Appleite, they are perceived to be a bit on the costlier side and they offer features not always found elsewhere. The iPod nano is no exception.
It is quirky in the sense that, unlike many other players, you don't just plug in the USB cable and copy MP3 files to the player with gay abandon you need iTunes. It may be perceived to be expensive the 16GB version I got for review costs Rs 11,200 in Karnataka (inclusive of all taxes), and you can get a cheaper player, if all you want to do is listen to music.
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My only issue here is the placement of the video camera's lens. If you hold it with the screen facing you, invariably your finger tends to cover the lens's view. Perhaps, in future models, Apple can alter the position of the camera so this doesn't occur that often.
The mike is located just above the lens ands does a good job of capturing sound. There is one problem though close up, you get good audio, but a few feet away and the voice tends to lose clarity. Maybe, a nice mike with Bluetooth may capture sound more efficiently.
In any case, this is only a minor grouse. If you are going to make a trip to a historical landmark and shoot something while giving some voiceover yourself, trust me, you will not be disappointed.
iWalk, so I am
Another nifty feature is the pedometer, which is a great way to exercise. To turn it on, you merely activate the feature and it measures the number of steps you have walked.
This is connected to the calendar feature, so on the 5th of October you can check out how many steps you took on the recently passed Gandhi Jayanthi.
The device measures the movement of your hips, and if you slip it into your trouser pocket it works fine. I however had trouble while wearing my Bermudas the pockets stop just short of my knees, and the iPod couldn't detect steps.
However, merely holding it in the palm of my hand, with said hand pressed to my hip, made the pedometer work flawlessly.
iWant music
And now, let us come to the music we have left this feature for the last because, of course, everybody knows that the iPod plays music. For a long time, one big grouse against the iPod was the absence of FM radio, and now even that's been included. The bonus is that it has live pause, so you can pause FM, answer a call, and then continue where you left off.
The music quality is quite good. I found the earphones painful, so I decided to dump them and play music at maximum volume on the iPod's own tiny speakers.
Why one would want to play an iPod at home while one can use the speakers attached to the computer, you may ask. In one word location.
While planning for an upcoming book, I sat in my balcony watching the sunset and penning some thoughts, while the iPod nano played on a window ledge behind me. Can't do that with the speakers connected to my PC now, can I?
iSuck because
The only problem with playing the iPod nano without headphones is that it drains the battery quite quickly. And talking of batteries, one problem is that it can only be charged with the USB.
One really wishes that Apple had included a small charger along with the device itself to charge it off a wall socket this would be ideal if you are on vacation and want to shoot lots of videos and are not carrying your laptop to charge your iPod nano via USB. But then again when has Apple ever done something like that?
But that said, this is a great little gadget for videos, and the music acts as a nice bonus. In fact, I like it so much that I'm tempted to lie to Apple and tell them that I lost this review piece and keep it forever!
Quick take
>>Apple's new iPod nano features good video
>>It has a pedometer for the fitness conscious
>>You can also listen to FM and pause it for good measure
i-Pod details
>>Weight: 36.4gm
>>Display: 2.2"
>>Screen resolution: 240 x 376
>>Dimensions: 3.6" x 1.5" x 0.24" (height x width x depth)
Source: iPod nano Reviewer's Guide
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