IPod nano
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- The correct title of this article is iPod nano. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
| iPod nano |
The iPod nano is Apple's fourth digital audio player combining features of both the iPod shuffle and iPod. It was introduced on September 7, 2005, replacing the iPod mini, which was discontinued on the same day. The replacement of the mini took Apple-related websites and the press completely by surprise since, although there were rumors about a new flash memory-based iPod, there was no prior notice of the popular mini being discontinued.
Work on development of the new design of the iPod nano started only nine months before the launch date<ref name="StevieWonder">Lev Grossman (September 12, 2005). Stevie's Little Wonder. TIME. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.</ref>. The iPod nano has more flash memory storage than is used in the iPod shuffle and has a miniaturized version of the color screen and click wheel found on the full-sized iPods. The screen also has a higher resolution than the old grayscale iPod, allowing one more line of text than the mini's screen. The battery and other internal parts were also reduced in size. The surface of the click wheel is slightly rough, allowing greater tactile feedback for out-of-sight operation.<ref name="StevieWonder" /> Unlike any other player in the iPod family, the iPod nano has a headphone-out situated in the bottom right of the player.
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[edit] First generation
Advertising emphasizes the iPod nano's small size: it is 1.6 inches (40 mm) wide, 3.5 inches (90 mm) long, 0.27 inches (6.9 mm) thick and weighs 1.5 ounces (42 grams). Its stated battery life is 14 hours (24 hours on second generation models). The screen is 176 x 132 pixels, 1.5 inches (38 mm) diagonal, and can display 65,536 colors (16-bit color).<ref>Apple (September 7, 2005). iPod nano. "Technical Specifications". accessed March 7, 2006.</ref>
[edit] Features
The iPod nano works with iTunes on Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows (third-party software is available for platforms that Apple does not support). It connects through the same proprietary dock connector as the third-generation iPod, the fourth-generation iPod, and the iPod mini, using a USB 2.0 port on the user's computer. Although it uses the same connection of Apple's FireWire iPod Cable and can charge its battery over FireWire, the iPod nano does not support synchronizing over a FireWire connection. The iPod nano includes a stop watch and a multiple time zone clock function. There is also a combination lock feature that makes use of the click wheel to lock the iPod, and serves to secure the user's calendar and contact information. It was also the first iPod to include a new lyrics screen, modifiable using iTunes.
[edit] Colors and pricing
The nano was launched in two colors (black or white) with two available sizes: 2 GB (roughly 500 songs) for $199 USD and 4 GB (1000 songs) for $249 USD. On February 7, 2006, Apple updated the lineup with the 1 GB model (240 songs) sold at $149 USD. Apple also released some accessories, including armbands and silicone "tubes" designed to bring color to the nano and protect it from scratches, as well as a combination lanyard-earphone accessory that hangs around the neck, and avoids the problem of tangling earphone cords.
On September 12, 2006 , Apple upgraded the iPod nano line-up to second generation, introducing a 8GB model. Significant reduction in prices were also introduced, with the new models being priced at 2GB for $149 USD, 4GB for $199 USD and 8GB for $249 USD. The 2GB model is available in silver only. The 4GB is available in green, blue, silver, pink, or red. The 8GB model is available in black or red. The red models are available as part of Product Red.[edit] Storage medium
The iPod nano uses flash memory instead of a hard disk. As a result, it has no significant moving parts (excluding the click wheel), making it immune to skipping and far more durable than disk-based players. The tradeoff is flash memory has a finite number of read/write cycles, and is more expensive.
[edit] Endurance
Testing by technology-enthusiast website Ars Technica has shown that even after being sat on, dropped by a jogger, dropped four times from a car moving at various speeds, then being driven over twice by said car, and finally dropped from nine feet onto concrete, the unit's screen was damaged but that it could still play music. The unit finally stopped playing music after being thrown 40 feet into the air and landing on concrete.<ref>Jacqui Cheng; Clint Ecker (September 11, 2005). iPod nano. Ars Technica.</ref>
In similar tests on the second generation nano, the screen did not last as long; although the nano kept working, its screen was damaged after one hard drop on concrete. A subsequent trip through a washing machine also failed to kill it, although it did require two days to dry out before coming fully back to life.<ref>Jacqui Cheng (September 17, 2006). iPod nano (second-generation). Ars Technica.</ref>
[edit] Nike+iPod
Nike+iPod, released May 23, 2006, is one of the many accessories designed specifically for the iPod nano. The advantages of the Nike+iPod is to sync information including the distance traveled, running pace, or burned calories to the Nike+ website.
On October 19, 2006, new features were added to the Nike+ website, including the ability to name runs. Forums were also added, allowing users to meet and challenge other runners, ask questions, and give feedback.
Nike+iPod is compatible with all iPod nanos, regardless of generation.
[edit] Electronics
The iPod nano uses general-purpose integrated circuits (IC) instead of smaller, low cost custom developed chips, possibly to reduce time-to-market. This design, however, increases the number of electronic components and increases the cost. Japanese engineers estimated the component cost of the 2 GB nano as between JPY22000 and JPY27000, which is high compared to the retail price of JPY21800. The cost of 2 GB NAND flash memory is about JPY14000. Apple opted for the higher cost 0603 (0.6 x 0.3mm) components, the latest surface mount technology, as opposed to cheaper but larger 1005 (1.0 x 0.5mm) components. In fact, there remains available real estate on the motherboard.<ref>Itoh, Hirotaka; Asakawa, Naoki (December 2005). "Looking Inside iPod nano, Game Boy Micro". Nikkei Electronics Asia.</ref>
[edit] Consumer reactions
Image:Ipod nano box.jpgImage:IPod-Nano-package.jpg The initial consumer response to the iPod nano was overwhelmingly positive and sales were heavy.<ref>Myers, Michelle (September 10, 2005). "Apple store buzzes with Nano fever". CNet.</ref> The nano sold its first 1 million units in only 17 days, helping Apple to a record billion-dollar profit in 2005.<ref>Turner, Daniel Drew (October 11, 2005). "Apple Hits $1 Billion in Profit for 2005". eWeek.</ref>
Apple's release of the iPod nano as a replacement for the iPod mini is viewed by many as a risky move.[citation needed] The mini was not only Apple's most popular MP3 player, it was still the world's best-selling player up to the end of its lifespan; and sales of the mini did not appear to be slowing down. Steve Jobs has argued that the iPod nano is a necessary risk since competitors are beginning to catch up to the iPod mini in terms of design and features, and believes the iPod nano will prove to be even more popular and successful than the iPod mini. Analysts see this as part of the corporate culture of Apple, which relies heavily upon innovating to continue appealing to consumers. [citation needed]
Within days of the nano's release, some users reported damage to the nano, suggesting that the LCD screen had become so scratched that it was unreadable, even when the backlight was on. Many have reported fine scratches on their nano caused by microfiber cloths. Other owners reported that their nano's screen cracked with no provocation.<ref>Angell, Larry (September 25, 2005). "iPod nano screen complaints abound". iLounge.</ref> On September 27 2005, Apple confirmed a small percentage ("less than 1/10 of 1 percent") of iPod nanos shipped with a faulty screen and agreed to replace any nanos with cracked screens, but denied the iPod nano was more susceptible to scratching than prior iPods.<ref>Dalrymple, Jim (September 27, 2005). "Apple responds to iPod nano screen concerns". Macworld.</ref> Apple started shipping iPod nanos with a protective sleeve to protect them from scratches. In October 2005, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple, with the plaintiffs seeking reimbursement for the device, legal fees, and "unlawful or illegal profits" from sales of the iPod nano. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim that the devices "scratch excessively during normal usage, rendering the screen on the nanos unreadable, and violating state consumer protection statutes".<ref>Jade, Kasper; Marsal, Katie (October 21, 2005). "iPod nano owners sue Apple over screen issues". AppleInsider.</ref> Similar lawsuits were later filed in Mexico and the United Kingdom.<ref>Nano lawsuit goes international. BBC News (November 8, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-05-10.</ref> Some commentators such as BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl have criticized the lawsuits. Hesseldahl dismissed them as "stupid" and suggested that they benefitted "no one but the trial lawyers," but also suggested that Apple could have avoided litigation by offering "full refunds on unwanted nanos" instead of charging a re-stocking fee and lengthening the return period from 14 days (when purchased through Apple retail or online) to 30 or 60 days.<ref>Hesseldahl, Arik (October 27, 2005). "iPod nano Lawsuits: Who Wins?". BusinessWeek.</ref>
[edit] Criticisms
Unlike previous iPods, the iPod nano will not synchronize or connect over FireWire. Also, the lack of the remote connector found on the top of many previous models meant that a number of third-party accessories will not work with the iPod nano. However, manufacturers have adapted and now primarily utilize the dock connector port. The iPod nano does not support voice recording, although the iPod nano (Second Generation) will function with third-party recording attachments. It also does not function with either Apple's iPod Camera Connector or other camera connectors from third-party manufacturers.<ref>Horwitz, Jeremy (September 7, 2005) "Super First Look: Apple Computer iPod nano". iLounge.</ref>
[edit] Second generation
On September 12, 2006, Apple updated the nano line. The new second-generation features scratch-resistant, brushed aluminum casing in a throwback to the earlier mini's design; the multiple color choices (green, silver, black, pink, blue) mirror that of the mini as well. However, unlike the second-generation mini, the button labels do not match the colour of the nano. Instead, they are grey, like the first-generation mini. The second-generation nano features "a brighter, more vibrant display"<ref>"Apple Press Release" Retrieved from Apple September 12 2006</ref>, a battery life upgrade (from 14 to 24 hours), and doubled storage options with the new two, four, and eight-gigabyte models (compared to the previous one, two, and four-gigabyte models). The new iPod nanos also support gapless playback of audio files, a new search option, and a 40% brighter screen. A reduction in pricing was made, with the entry level two-gigabyte model priced at $149.
Image:IPod nano (Red).jpg On October 13 2006, Apple announced a special edition iPod nano Product Red, with a red exterior and four gigabytes of storage. For each red iPod nano sold in the United States, Apple donates US$10 to the Product Red initiative, while retaining the regular price of $199 USD. <ref>Apple.com - iPod nano - (PRODUCT) Red</ref> On November 3rd, Apple introduced an eight gigabyte model, due to massive demand, while also retaining the $249 USD price point of the black model with an equally large storage capacity.<ref>Apple Press Release - "Apple Announces New 8GB Model of iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition"</ref>
[edit] Colors and Pricing Table
| Model | Color | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2GB | Silver | $149 (£99) |
| 4GB | Silver / Green / Blue / Pink / Red | $199 (£129) |
| 8GB | Black / Red | $249 (£169) |
[edit] References
<references />
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Apple: iPod nano
- Apple Introduces iPod nano — press release
- iPod nano Webcast unveiling — Watch Webcast by Apple CEO Steve Jobs announcing the new iPod nano
- Apple Unveils New 1GB iPod nano at $149
- Apple Maintains Margin with iPod Nano - Ed Oswald writing for BetaNews (September 23 2005)
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