Nano update cements Apple's midmarket hold
Today's Apple event contained a number of newsworthy announcements--a new digital-album format, precut ringtones at $1.29--but what's more striking is the way that the company really focused the improvements on the iPod Nano.
The Nano was the only Apple device that got a significant overhaul, with a video camera, FM radio, voice recorder, and pedometer. Somewhat surprisingly, the more expensive and higher-end iPod Touch isn't getting a refresh this time around. It still lacks a video camera and built-in FM radio.
Strategically, this makes sense: on stage, Steve Jobs claimed that the Nano has sold more than 100 million units, making it the most popular MP3 player in the world. It occupies the sweet spot in price, between $100 and $200 (the new 8GB version will be $149, while the new 16GB version will cost $179).
Last year, Apple hardly updated the Nano at all, besides introducing a few new colors. So to keep its firm hold on the midmarket, Apple was smart to add a few checklist features, particularly the video camera, which suddenly makes the Flip look overpriced.
At the low end, the Shuffle got a price cut to $59 for the 2GB version or $79 for the 4GB version, but this seems expensive, compared with SanDisk's Sansa Clip+, which costs $40 for a 2GB or $50 for 4GB, and includes an FM radio, small screen for navigating menus, and expandable memory via a microSD slot. Here, Apple seems to be relying on the iPod brand to carry it.
At the high end, the iPod Touch remains one of the most exciting devices on the market--it's basically redefining portable computing, thanks to its Wi-Fi connection and Apple's massive App Store. But as a pure MP3 player, I still think that there's room for competition.
Microsoft's forthcoming Zune HD might grab some hard-core music fanatics, thanks to its built-in HD radio (more stations), all-you-can-play subscription service, and (in my opinion) better navigation scheme that lets you get to more of your music more quickly. The Zune HD also looks like a better deal on a straight-memory basis--the 16GB version will cost $220 (only $21 more than an 8GB iPod Touch), and the 32GB will cost $290, which is $9 less than the equivalent iPod Touch.
If I were shopping for an MP3 player today and had less than $100 to spend, I'd buy a Clip+. If I had between $100 and $200, the iPod Nano is the obvious choice. If I had more than that, I'd have to weigh whether I'm more interested in a broad range of apps (iPod Touch) or music (which might sway me to the Zune HD).
Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattrosoff. 
If MS offers subscription HD video downloads, Zune will sell like hotcakes.
(and IIRC, the HDMI adapter/cable will likely be a pricey little accessory, and we're not even talking about how many Blu-Ray/HD-DVD movies you could actually fit on the thing... assuming you have the patience to wait for them to sync-in. Anything less is just downsampled/compressed video and really wouldn't qualify as HD)
I guess what I'm trying to say is, I sincerely doubt that HD video will be any kind of real selling point for a portable device - ANY portable device.
It might not be a major selling point but additional features only make the device better.
So tell me... just how good would a 720p (forget 1080 - they probably will as well) look on a tiny-as-hell pixel-sparse screen?
You play the videos on an HDTV. I saw the demo a couple of weekends ago. They looked fantastic.
by Random_Walk September 9, 2009 1:53 PM PDT
(and IIRC, the HDMI adapter/cable will likely be a pricey little accessory, and we're not even talking about how many Blu-Ray/HD-DVD movies you could actually fit on the thing
They "fit" on the HDD of your computer. And they should only take 5 GB or so. So you can take a movie or two on the road without much trouble. The rest you can leave on a 1 TB drive.
by Random_Walk September 9, 2009 1:53 PM PDT
... assuming you have the patience to wait for them to sync-in.
Patience? These things will download in no time. Certainly in less time than it takes to run to the store to rent a disc (or through Netflix). If you have a decent connection (which most do).
by Random_Walk September 9, 2009 1:53 PM PDT
Anything less is just downsampled/compressed video and really wouldn't qualify as HD).
Really? You obviously haven't seen them. Because if you did you would not be saying anything of the sort.They will spell the end of the blu-ray disc.
The Zune will NOT have 720 lines of resolution. In short: If you buy a Zune HD for HD capability, enjoy the ability to "stream clips to your home HD television via a cable," because you will NOT be seeing an HD picture on the Zune.
Bottom line: the Zune screen will look no better than the iPod's.
Zune? HD in name only. Well played Microsoft. Just one more reason for users like "bathswana" here to get psyched before the release, then disappointed afterwards. Apparently loyalty just isn't worth what it used to be.
It's HD out, not on screen. Honestly stop shilling or go get banned again. Whatever.
hahahahahaha You enjoy watching your non-HD videos on a small screen, while I watch mine on a big screen when I travel (most quality hotels support HD tvs now)
...followed by:
"They "fit" on the HDD of your computer"
So you're saying that you have to transfer the thing to a computer, then plug that computer into a television? Set aside that this is not what the MSFT marketing is saying - what would be the point? I can do that now on an iPod Touch or iPhone, and the resolution would be exactly the same (shrunken to fit the screen).
"You obviously haven't seen them."
And aside from a rigged demo put on by Microsoft's marketing department, neither have you.
--
"It's HD out, not on screen."
I understand that part perfectly (and said as much in the post you knee-jerked in response to)- but again, what would be the point? You still have to buy the (IMHO) pricey HDMI out add-on kit, and you'd still have capacity problems.
"Honestly stop shilling..."
...well Gee Whiz, that would explain why I mentioned that "HD" would be a problem on "ANY" device (including the iPod Touch), right?
"...or go get banned again."
I've never been banned. You do know that recreational consumption of narcotics is illegal, right? ;)
Apple shone a light on its iPod Nano with these updates. The Touch was barely touched (although the faster internal graphics and processor will improve gaming).
Winner:Zune HD
The Zune HD is a one-trick pony (okay, maybe a two-trick pony), while the iPod Touch is 65,000-trick pony. Ah, well -- Microsoft can cover the losses on their Entertainment division with their profits form Windows and Office, right? Oh, wait . . .
The only unique thing that I can see about the iPod Touch (and the iPhone) is the app store.
Me, personally I prefer downloading apps, movies, music etc. free online, then using drag and drop. Even if the Zune had next to none features, I'd still use it for the freeness of what you can put on there and run on there.
Oh btw, Microsoft's entertainment division, not quite Windows and MO. More like Xbox and the millions of PC games it sells. Not that I even use any of them, just thought I'd point it out.
And I do care for those as well. But there are also plenty of ways to download them without being a pirate, Homebrew for example.
In that one the Zune won more categories but it was still pronounced a tie.
As for the Zune comparisons, are you kidding? I love all these "Zune is the winner" techboy comments, looks like everyone who ever bought one is posting here because you used the word "Zune" in your review. Can you play games, check your email, or post on a web site from a Zune? That's a big capital N capital O isn't it? Would you really buy a Zune? Really? Tell the truth lol.
- by ViEtNiNjA007 September 10, 2009 1:06 PM PDT
- Apps are retarded. I have not found one app I have used extensively that will not be on the Zune. (Facebook and Pandora). I know, I own an iPhone. And I use my Zune a lot more.
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- by ausernamenoonehaschosen September 11, 2009 5:52 AM PDT
- Do you not know how to use the appstore? There are tons of really useful apps on that, mind you the huge majority are crap. Everything from VNC clients to Distant Suns (a free star/planet app for stargazing), converters, games, graphing calculators, etc, things that make other electronic devices obsolete. I doubt you own an iPhone or iPod Touch.
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