iPod Nano 5G: The good, bad, and the weird

Update: CNET's official review of the Apple iPod Nano (fifth-generation) is now available.

I'm holding Apple's fifth-generation iPod Nano, and it's feeling like deja vu. Here we are again with an 8GB and 16GB iPod Nano that bear the exact same shape and dimensions as last year's models, priced at $149 and a slightly more wallet-friendly $179, respectively. Sure, the aluminum is a little glossier, and the screen now stretches out to 2.2 inches (up from 2 inches), but most people would really need to have an Apple fanboy's eagle-eye to discern last year's model from today's.

But don't let looks fool you. Under the hood, Apple really juiced the fifth-gen iPod Nano up with a ton of tricks that serve to make the Nano better. I'm not convinced all of the Nano's new features were executed perfectly, but at least nothing about the fifth-gen Nano is a step backwards for Apple (unlike the third-gen Nano's awkward shape, or the button-less iPod Shuffle). For the sake of mentioning it, just know that everything found in last year's model is here as well, located in exactly the same place, with the same font, same everything. Music, photos, videos, podcasts, battery life, sound quality...same, same, same. Well, technically, rated battery life is up a little for video playback, clocking in a 5 hours instead of 4.

iPod Nano oddity No. 1: I can record video, but I can't snap a photo no matter how hard Antuan poses.

(Credit: CNET)

So what's new? Well, for starters, the iPod Nano now has a video camera. On the back of the Nano there's an eensy-teensy fixed-lens camera that runs flush with the body, capable of capturing 640x480 standard definition video at 30 frames per second. Files are recorded as iTunes-friendly .MP4 videos with h.264 formatted video with AAC audio. Video quality looks, well...decent. We'll have a better sense after more testing, but I think it's safe to say that it won't be crushing the Flip Mino HD anytime soon.

Part of the problem isn't so much the camera technology as it is the placement of the camera--located right behind the clickwheel where you can't help but rub your nasty hands across the lens each time you pick it up. After just a few minutes out of the box, video recordings became increasingly cloudy with screen grime.

Maybe I'm just filthy, but I have to think Apple would have done better to move the lens closer to the top and out of harm's ways.

iPod Nano oddity No. 2: The Nano now has the Shuffle's voice over feature, but the bundled earbuds don't include the clicker remote required to engage it.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)

The same complaint hold's true for the Nano's pinhole microphone, which is placed right beside the camera lens. While recording video it's obvious if you're holding your finger over the lens: the view is blocked, you figure it out, and adjust your grip.

The same can't be said for voice recordings, where it feels natural to grip the Nano like a microphone, only to find voice memos riddled with the grating sound of your hand rubbing against the microphone. The problem isn't helped by the fact that you can't actively monitor your recordings while you make them. That said, the capability to create voice recordings now without having to plug in a special headset or microphone accessory is a nice plus.

Another happy little plus included on the fifth-generation iPod Nano is an internal speaker. Granted, the sound quality of the speaker is like hearing your favorite music performed by a flea circus, but it gets the job done if you're just looking for a way to quickly share music or video with friends without passing around your earbuds.

iPod Nano oddity No. 3: Apple flipped the location of the iPod dock and headphone jack from last year's model. Some dock accessories may suffer.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)

One thing the built-in speaker won't work on, however, is the Nano's new FM radio, since headphones need to be plugged in for the radio to work. That's fine by us, though, since we were sure hell would freeze over before Apple would ever place a radio inside an iPod. Since 2001, customers have pleaded with Apple to add an FM radio to the iPod, only to find themselves shaking their disillusioned fists in air, year after year. Well, the iPod has an FM radio now, so I suppose we can all just shut up about that.

In fact, the iPod Nano has a fairly spectacular radio, capable of displaying RDS station info, tagging songs, and even pausing and rewinding. You heard right, you can pause up to 15 minutes of radio, which the Nano will cache internally until you're ready to start up again. And as far as song tagging goes, provided you can find a station that broadcasts enough RDS data to make an accurate song tag, your tagged songs live in a separate radio submenu.

Once you sync back up to your computer, iTunes will ask you if you want to look up your tagged songs in the iTunes store. It's neat, but not exactly reliable, since RDS info is hit or miss in most towns.

iPod Nano oddity No. 4: Why on earth did Apple place the camera and microphone right where you'd naturally hold the thing?

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)

Wrapping things up, Apple added a new pedometer feature into a "Fitness" submenu that lives in the Nano's "Extras" directory along with games, voice memos, alarms, notes, etc. It's cute, and works a little like a poor man's Nike+iPod kit. In fact, iTunes will even prompt you after it sees you've used the pedometer, to see if you'd like to track your progress on the Nike+ Web site.

Apple has also thrown in a Genius Mixes selection under the music menu, which brings over one of the new ballyhooed features from iTunes 9. Essentially, these Genius Mixes are instant groupings of music based around a common genre, such as rock, pop, or jazz. So far, the feature hasn't really won me over, but I'll give it some more time and see if it surprises me.

So, now you know my first impressions of Apple's fifth-generation iPod Touch. Stay tuned for CNET's full review later in the week.

Apple iPod Nano (fifth generation)

[TheStairMaster]

so wait you can record video, but you cant take still pictures?

.......?

[Verbex]

I know, that's freaking retarded. And if anyone backs apple up as to why they would make such a retarded move, you're just as retarded. And what about a camera for the iPod touch!? This is whack.

[meh100]

Steve Jobs explained that he was being very picky with the camera. They couldn't fit a good enough camera to take good stills so they kicked the feature out of there. There have been rumors of problems with cameras in the iPod touch which is probably what that didn't make it.

[happygolucky101lol]

I think Steve said that you could take still pictures, but I don't really know.

[ark_v2]

@ Verbex
It's not that complicated. If they added a camera to the Touch people would start considering getting a cheap cellphone AND an iPod Touch instead of signing a contract with AT&T.

[eeemang]

So the author says he is filthy?! Great journalism. Yeah wash your hands...ever hear about the N1H1 flu and the urging to wash hands....cover your cough...??

http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/wash/index.html


http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/covercough_hcp8-5x11.pdf

[myles taylor]

Still cameras need a different lens and different software in order to focus. I know it seems like video is just a series of still photos, but take your video shots and pull frames out of them and you'll see the quality suffer tremendously, especially when it comes to focus. Also, the camera that they could would have put on there that would take stills would have cost significantly more. So Apple would rather just leave a feature out then do it poorly. Maybe they need to release a higher end model with a better camera although that's not really Apple's style.

@Verbex, I'm sorry if you think that's retarded but I seemed to make sense and you didn't.

As for the Touch, I agree that they should have just done whatever it took to get the camera in there. If there really were production or technical difficulties, they should have demoed it and explained the problems, then stated that it would be released later. Now they either have to wait long enough to not **** off early adopters of the "3rd Gen" iPod Touch or release another version in a short time.

[etiahwhite]

I'm kinda bummed that they didn't double the memory...I was really hoping for a 30gb version...I primarily use my ipod in the car and at work my ipod died and so I've been having to use my iphone in the car which isn't ideal when I want to be on the phone, listening, to the music, and driving (I think because I'm without this multitask option my driving has been worse) and then I of course can't use my iphone at work cuz the stereo is in the back and so I can't be on the floor checking email and refreshing perez...so I've been having to listen to Muzak cds at work (boo absolutely awful!!!) The other thing I don't like is the glossy finish I just got into the previous finish....Also I would think if your gonna give people a video option you'd give them more memory...So now I'm torn since there was no memory upgrade do I pay $179 for the new features or do I save a couple bux and pay $129 for the previous generation (that's the refurb price listed on apple.com) with the finish I like and missing the new features....hmmm....so greatful that this is the toughest decision I'll make today!

[dvannf]

My iPod died, however I found a website that replaced the battery and it works like new. Check this site out.
www.ipodbatterydepot.com.
Good luck!!!

[etiahwhite]

I pulled the trigger and went with the newer model...I recycled my deceased iPod and got 10% off. I was kinda bummed when I went to the store today because they the 4g on display but wouldn't sell it. They didn't have the new ones out yet so they pulled out all the colors to show me and after soliciting many opinions (the green was to christmasie, the blue kinda blah, I hate purple....) I went with Yellow which is what I had wanted but wasn't as fond of of shiny finish compared to the previous finish. I kinda thought it looked like really unhealthy pee but one of the sales guys said it looked like a tiny brick of gold (I liked his description better then mine) The shiny finish on the colors definitely gives them a jewel tone kind of look.

[bruggeberg]

"So now you know my first impressions if Apple's fifth-generation iPod Touch." Typo? Anyways, I think apple deserves a pat on the back for finally adding fm radio. What took them so long to finally get the hint? I'm not sure what to think about the voice recorder and camera. Why do they keep trying to make a music player into an everything player? Why not spend their time and money improving the sound quality and music/video playback. I also dislike the switch of the headphone jack. Why bother making everything else the same size and shape when people will have to go out and buy all new accessories anyways?

[streamline35]

A pat on the back for finally adding a simple feature that everyone has been complaining about for years, and copying the zune's fm radio - feature for feature as they do it? At this point I don't think they're getting a pat on the back so much as just getting people to shut up about it.

[Gene Taylor]

I'm really bummed out. Because I thought the major improvements would be to the iPod Touch. First of all an integrated microphone. That would allow for Skype calls without the microphone included in the headset arrangement. Next was increased battery life. I'm on my 3rd Touch and non have been stellar or even close to decent when it comes to the battery.

Don't need a Nano, had one and gave it away because of the poor music quality.

Dang!

[jpg27]

Yeah me too. Apple probably thinks that if they bring the iPod touch's functionality close to that of the iPhone they will lose sales on the phone.

[EvanSei]

I am very disappointed, they gave the nano all the things I wanted in the new touch, now I have to wait another year lets face there is no difference between last years and this years touch, and who in their right mind would trade in a touch for a nano. even the remake of itunes was disappointing. Go away apple I am not talking to you :)

[PiCASSiMO]

Hey... believe it or not, I still listen to AM radio from time to time. Does this nano iPod have both FM and AM?

[meh100]

No, probably because AM receivers need much larger antennas.

[markdoiron]

Interesting that tagged songs can be researched in the iTunes store. Sort of reminds me of that other player . . the . . oh . . you know that one: Zune. Except the Apple concept doesn't work as well since it's just an opportunity for Apple to offer to sell you something. With the Zune you're on subscription (or you can make it one of your ten included downloads/month), so it shouldn't cost you anything to download a copy of that new song. --mark d.

[ywkhgqo]

no way. apple...stole...an idea...from zune? OMG apple really is desperate.

[tpegan]

I'm wondering how many people will actually use this camera/video feature. Most people will have a cell phone that provides this same functionality with probably better quality. The one place that I might have an iPod but not my cell is in the gym but where I work out cameras are a no-no.

[Brian]

The most glaring mistake was making the camera VGA quality.

HELLO ?

YouTube has upgraded to widescreen HD video last year !!

Sadly, for a tech company that has a reputation of pioneering breakthrough products, the newly updated iPod nano leaves much to be desired.

Maybe next year, but for now, I am not impressed.

[meh100]

It's not physically possible right now to stick an HD camera in a space that small. They'd have to triple the size of the nano to get a decent camera in there.

[heulenwolf]

Agreed, the new Nano is a big "Huh?" With Tom telling everyone how to save $ on either getting an iPhone with no data contract or getting a Touch with Verizon's MiFi, I can see from a business perspective why they didn't add the mic and camera to the Touch. It really would turn the iPhone into a Touch with an additional modem and give people even less reason to pay the monthly service fees. But that reasoning doesn't make adding the mic and camera to the Nano make any more sense.

[Heathie89]

It looks like those fake ones you can get on ebay from China!

Don't care about the camera, FM or microphone in the Nano. The screen larger by 0.22" - funny! Put a microphone on iPod Touch, let me use it as a speakerphone for Skype, put a GPS in the iPod Touch that's when I would get excited.

[1812dave]

Apple no longer deserves to be known as the company of innovation. This update of the Nano is half baked and the new Touch is a total yawner. If they can't do better, that won't be getting another dime out of me , and I'm a guy (along with my wife) that owns ELEVEN iPods. (and NO Macs and never will)

[leganx]

So they finally added an FM radio, does anyone know if now we can get a decent equalizer?

If they do that, I might consider switching when my excellenct Sansa Fuze croaks, if ever.

[MeepMan]

That will take a while, as I heard the Fuze had a great quality battery. I believe that the Fuze has all of that minus the tagging. Or at least the valuable stuff. I mean, forget the camera. Then the two are even.

[play7]

"by 1812dave September 10, 2009 7:55 AM PDT
Apple no longer deserves to be known as the company of innovation. This update of the Nano is half baked and the new Touch is a total yawner. If they can't do better, that won't be getting another dime out of me , and I'm a guy (along with my wife) that owns ELEVEN iPods. (and NO Macs and never will)"


WOW 11 Ipods??????????? that is just crazy...............BTW they lost that name "company of innovation" about 5 years ago..............Think Differnt is today now .........................." ALL I DO IS FOLLOW I BUY WHATEVER APPLE PUTS OUT" "NOMATTER IF ITS JUNK OR NOT" ........Sad but true........

[1812dave]

eleven iPods between my wife and I. Not 11 each! :) started out with a full size ipod, then got her a mini, I got a mini, then a shuffle for me, for her, then nano's for each of us, then another shuffle, 2 touchs, and because I saw the handwriting on the wall when the 3rd? gen shuffle came out, I bought another 2 GB shuffle before they were all sold out. I don't like the newest shuffle. don't like the "fatboy" nano--I thought it was the dumbest form factor ever.

[technojeff]

I find it disconcerting that your crack MP3 team thinks "...since we were sure hell would freeze over before Apple would ever place a radio inside an iPod. Since 2001, customers... find themselves shaking their disillusioned fists in air, year after year."
Guys, there has been a FM radio in the 4G nano (maybe even before that version) and in the now Classics and before they were called that!!
You needed the Apple remote to activate it, but the workings of it were all there. On my 4G nano there was even RDS. From the pictures it looks like the same software. The live pause is nice, but the rest is just a way for you to spend more money in itunes.
So go back and edit your review.
Now, the still mediocre sound compared to a much cheaper Sansa Clip is typical but disappointing

.

[ywkhgqo]

An add on is not considered part of the actual device buddy. The fact is, if joe schmo bought an ipod before yesterday, he could not get radio out of the box.

[Rod Roddy]

Apple needs to focus on music fidelity. The sound quality for me has just never been there, that's why I got a Zune 16 I've had it for over a year now and it sounds awesome. IMHO.

[pooyan69]

This is one area that SHOCKS me. Ipods (the most popular PMP out there) have average sound quality even compared to MP3 players half the price. It's amazing how a brand name can carry a product even though there are other devices far superior to it in some ways...and cheaper.

[the_iceman]

I was waiting for a 32GB size on the nano, guess I'll check out something else. I also preferred the design of the 3rd gen nano. Why does apple continue to quote song capacity at 128k? When iTunes now uses 256k, seems a bit misleading. As for the camera. Is it really needed? Most people have a cell phone & digital camera already that takes better quality pics & video. I agree it isnt the best placement for the lens. A 2.2" screen? Are you saying you cant fit a 2.5 or 2.7" screen (like many compact digital camera have) ? Its great they finally added a radio feature, just wish they added HD radio as well.

[pjcamp]

Apple paid no attention to how the device would be used? They made it gratuitously incompatible with existing docks?

Gee. Imagine that.

[Brian]

I wonder how much this has to do with Steve Jobs being away on medical leave.

Perhaps now that S. Jobs is back in control, we may see the much deserved upgrade NEXT year.

[rufustel]

It sounds like no one has been actively running the Apple shop with common sense recently, as to product design and completeness, let alone consumer wants (well, truth be told, Apple always has seemed to ignore the latter; but not the former).

[Brian]

Now that Steve Jobs is back at the helm, perhaps next year will be better than this.

I am not impressed with a VGA camera that lacks autofocus, a flash, zoom or any other major controls for which I have on my cell phone which is 2 years old.

Everyone knows that iTunes is their money maker here. It's obvious that the app store is designed for shopping.

Oh yeh, I must buy the latest iPod so I can shop and spend money like there's no tomorrow.

What about the economy?

People are seriously not interested in spending money.
Why not save people some money by reducing the prices even more?

With multi-billions of iTunes sales, you would think that Apple could afford to save people some serious money here.

The iPod Classic is just a sitting duck waiting to die.
Now with a 64 GB iPod Touch, it is only a matter of time until the clock stops ticking for the classic.

I hope solid state drives are standard by the time I am ready to buy my next Macintosh.

Perhaps Steve Jobs can cater to people not as wealthy as Donald Trump.