Ipod Nano
 

Ok so what is your take(s) on the new Nano? I for one think it's gorgeous and I plan to get one. I'm not really keen on the Phone that was announced today. I mean..what do I need a phone that plays 100 songs for? I have an mp3 player and the only time I play mp3's on my current phone is for ringtones. :shrug:

http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/


http://images.apple.com/ipodnano/ima...re20050907.jpg

Yeah, I'm not really getting the whole iTunes phone thing either, but the nano looks awesome. :)

so is this to replace the shuffle? I like the battery life on it - the only problem i might see with it is the fragility of it - it's very light weight -- my IPod gets beaten to death in my bag and takes it pretty well - I'd be afraid of throwing this into my bag.

Mal, I think (don't quote me) that this is to replace the mini. The mini isn't showing up in the apple store so ..yeah .. that's what it's replacing. I like the tubes you can get for it and such. The thing is just hot. I want one. Now :D

Yeah, it's to replace the mini.

Man, when I first saw this yesterday I got so much wood.

I want one, but I want one with 10gb capacity, not this 4gb bullshit.

But yeah, it's so... slender. And it's got a color screen, which is a big seller for me. But 250$ for 4gb? I'll have to wait for gen 2.

It's flash-based, no longer a hard drive. I think 10GB of flash memory would be cost-prohibitive at this point.

Unfortunately, now there's nothing at the 6GB volume point.

As for the phone concept... it makes a lot of sense. My Treo 600 plays MP3s and I have about a 150 songs or so on an SD card. This way I only have to carry one piece of equipment.

As storage becomes less of an issue this hybrid phone/MP3 is going to be the one thing that could kill the iPod. Makes sense that Apple would try to join the fray early on.

Comparing the prices against it's 60gb sister/brother/whatever the nano doesn't seem to be that cost effective or justifiable.. but it's just soo damn sexy. The slenderness and the color screen are what grab my attention. So .. I'll probably get one even though it makes more sense to buy a 60gb model. They still look clunky to me. :shrug:


As far as the phone goes.. I see where you're coming from charlatan, but for me.. I don't mind carrying two pieces of equipment. I can load an ass load of songs onto my phone already but I don't like to or want to. Plus with this Rokr you'll only be able to put 100 songs on it no matter how large of a card you have. The software caps it at 100. I don't really understand that feature.

I don't think the ipod/psp are going to be killed any time soon. The phone issue is just too muddled right now. Especially since they'll have to work out networking costs and such. For instance.. how are providers going to charge for access? Are they going to charge you extra on top of the itunes rate and what is the charge going to be? I just don't like the idea.. but who knows I may come around eventually.

I agree that 100 songs is a limitation. I think there are a few people who won't mind but in the end the number has to be higher but that is just a storage issue. As the price comes down on flash memory and the ability to put more memory onto smaller chips increases I think you will see more phone/mp3 players out there that are both practical to use and powerful enough for the high end users...

It may not kill the iPod but it will gnaw at Apple's margins, if not take a big bite.

As for song costs... the phone I am talking about works just like the iPod. Load it up from your computer.

Flash memory is high right now... that's the major issue. I don't forsee it coming down dramatically any time soon though. But then I don't get paid to make market forcasts either..

here's an article some people might want to check out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4225496.stm

Since you mentioned how the Rokr could take a bite into Ipod sales.. it makes me wonder why Apple put a 4gb flash on the market that's going to have such a small profit margin for them. Maybe they are phasing out the Ipod and we'll be blessed with yet another great innovation from Apple in the near future?? *fingercross*

:D

Now that I've looked at the Rokr, I think they've made a bit of a mistake design wise... By the looks of it they are sticking their toes in the phone/mp3 waters to test them out but are still nervous about losing iPod sale.

I say this because of the mention in the article about the 100 songs limitation regardless of the size of chip but also because the Rokr doesn't look like an iPod. If they were serious about this product it would be branded as an iPod.

As it is it looks too much like a tradional phone and is lacking the "iPod look". You will now they are serious about this when they release an iPhone (and I can guarantee they've already got a design and a mock up of it somewhere).

now you're on the right track.. I'd sell my unborn children for an Iphone. I was really hoping that would have been on yesterday's ticket but .. *sigh* I can't make steve jobs my bitch.. not yet anyway hehehe

The other thing that I thought about was that this is just a punch at M$. M$ has been wanting to get into this market for a while and Apple (once again) beat them to the punch. M$ is still on the can about getting a music service much less a phone.

I agree. One of the motivations behind this is likely to tweak the nose of MS. I also think that they are using this to test the waters... if it looks like people are into it, they will release an iPhone in the next year or so (as it stands the blinking lights and vibrate to the music option just sounds lame and not very Apple).

damn.. I didn't even notice those features..

blech.. no thanks. That just sounds way to jr. highesh

Which is probably just who this is aimed at...

good point. Every kid will be buggin their parents to shell out $300 for the phone that blinks to music.. kinda like they bug em to shell out the $$ for the neons to go on their car :rolleyes:

250 Bucks? For less, I ordered my iRiver H320. I find it sexy (unconditionnal apple lovers will contradict this) it has 20 gigs, has radio features, line in (mp3 and wma encoding), a huge range of compatibility in sound files, plays video, 8 to 16 hours of battery depending on the type of use...
I think I made my point. That Nano may be cute, and some might find it sexy (I just think its the same look ipod has had for quite a while now, and since everywhere I look someone's holding one, to me its as original as a can of soda).... but the features are just..so limited compared to what else is out there... I think people should buy elsewhere than apple, apple, apple... there's better, cheaper products.
/rant

I was reading on Engadget.com that Apple wanted the phone to have a limit of 25 songs, and 100 was the compromise. If you bypass the iTunes part of the phone you can have more than 100 songs.

Our sources at Moto tell us that Apple had originally insisted on a completely ridiculous 25 song cap because of “licensing issues”, and that the current 100 song limit was the compromise number they settled on. We prodded Motorola CEO Ed Zander about this at last night’s launch event and his response was simply, “Ask Apple.” Ironically, the ROKR E1 has a generic, non-iTunes, Java-based media player that can play as many MP3s as you have room for on your card.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000570057877/

I just saw an ad for the Nano and the mp3 player/cellphone. The phone I'm not excited about, but the Nano is slicker than all get out. If I wouldn't have just got an Ipod, I'd def be thinking about it.

I looked at the iRiver line, but I really like the touch dial. But from a pure technology standpoint, I think iRiver might be better.

Wait until Apple releases is next 'big' thing, the iFlea

That was great...

There's no doubt that there are "better" products out on the market. However, we're comparing two different things here. Your iRiver (iirc) is hard drive based correct? The Nano is flash based. Also, what are the dimensions of the iRiver? I find it hard to believe it's even close to being as small as the Nano. Does the iRiver have a color screen? (maybe I should google this eh?) For me, I could care less about the size. The 4gb Nano would do great for me during runs and workouts or whatever. I'm not going to listen to over 1,000 songs during that time anyway. The price for the Nano is about right considering the prices of flash media. I don't personally find it that pricey.

biznatch... I agree the iRiver is cool machine. It's what I will likely buy when I get around to it... It's probably more apt though to compare it to the iPod mini or the regular iPod in terms of it's features, etc.

I was planning to get an iPod mini...now I'll go with the nano...when I get cash.

I think the nano is great. For casual listeners who are slightly above the utility of a Shuffle, it's a great choice. It retains the majority of the features of the photo iPod - just in a smaller size and flash drive. (If they hadn't done the flash drive, I wouldn't be that impressed at all.)

The phone is a waste to me. The minute you show me a phone that has a big hard drive - essentially an iPod with a phone on it - I'll buy it. Until then, nope.

Where the hell is my 80 GB, dammit? I've been saving up...my 30 isn't cutting it anymore.

my sister had been thinking about the shuffle...and will now get the 4 gig nano. i'm a little envious, the flash memory is so much better for working out/running. but for road tripping, nothing beats the big ipods. so no harm there.

mal noted that she would worry about throwing this in her bag...my advice to ANY ipod buyer is to get a fitted hard case. a little time in my pocket, and my ipod had scuff marks on the screen that i still haven't gotten out. i sent it in for warrenty service (i got a dud battery), and i'm really hoping they just give up on it and send me a new one.

Speaking from my own experience, I'm on my 3rd replacement, Apple will only give you a refurbished replacement, most likely even more scratched up than yours was.

I saw it in the store today. It's too damn small. I'm too scared I'll lose it somewhere, it's so tiny. This ipod thing is getting out of control. $250 for 4GB!?!?! They're out of their fucking minds! Another $50 and I can get an additional 16GB with the original. Apparently, Steve is riding this ipod craze wave for every cent he can get.

The bad thing is, people would line up for it too.

Actually, Apple won't make as much money on the nano as the Mini. 4GB of flash is about double the cost of a 4GB mini-drive.

link

Dude, I talked to the dudes at the apple store, and they let me mess with theirs.

HOLY SHIT IT"S FUCKING TINY. I really want one, but it's IRRATIONAL.

That thing is tiny. I'm afraid to get one because I usually just toss my players into my bag and forget it. I've always had the bulky cd players and stuff so they don't break if I forget about them. But this thing. It'll probably snap in half. It looks spiffy and all but, like sadistikdreams said, it's irrational.

Must get one! How much is that going for?

I don't know why, but I want one. I've been throwing around the idea of asking Santa for an mp3 player this year and have gave a lot of thought towards the ipod mini. But I am hesitant about the itunes thing for some reason. I need to do more research I guess.

looks cool.. since I just got into my Pink mini I'll be just fine for the moment. The idea that it is very small and flash based is very appealing. Ironically skogafoss and I both have 512 shuffles on the way from a citibank promotion.

i was waiting for the announcemnt since I was waiting to buy a digital voice recorder and thought maybe an iPod might fit the bill but I woudn't be able to do voice recognition with it so I bagged the idea.

I've been pining over getting this for a few days, and I actually realized that when you buy an iPod, you're buying a status symbol. I see these kids in the store I work all the time with iPods, and I've overheard them saying, "OH YEAH, LIEK, I ONLY HAVE 100 songs on it, but it's soo cool.". I also read somewhere that the average amount of songs people put on their ipods is something like 300. COME ON, MAN, you've got 60GB, and you only put 300 songs on it? You know you only bought one because everybody else had one.

I really get it when people reccommend other cheaper players.

mine comes tommrow.. i have no music either heh.

The iRiver still il small enough to fit in your pocket (about the size of the orginal iPod...as for the color screen, I believe I said it played video...
of course you don't need that much space...but why not? I use mine as an external hard drive... the FM tuner gives me radio, and I watch movies during long trips wih awesome quality...
Even the sound is better on the iRiver.
Now, of course, if youre gonna be running with with, the best, I guess, is flash based memory..
but for most people, I think the smartest choice would be the iRiver: more bang for your buck

I've actually been looking at the iRiver models. There's one that is the 700 (I think) that I really like. So if I want more storage I'd prolly get that one. I'm still gonna get a Nano too though :thumbsup:


As far as the comments about the iPod thing getting out of control.. it's really not. They just shelved the mini and replaced it with a flash based player that will have a minimal profit generation for Apple. People like Flash drive players so it was a smart move on Apple's part.

The iPod Flea was very clever. They only missed on naming the magnifying glass; Apple would never use a name like that with codenumbers in it.

On a related note, someone has already reserved the domain ipodpico.com. :rolleyes:

For ANYONE concerned about the durability of the iPod Nano, visit this website:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3

The iPod Nano was tested in the following ways:
1) Sat on (wooden chair)
2) Dropped from a car from 10, 20, 30, and 50mph
3) Dropped from 9 ft
4) Ran over at 10mph
5) Thrown up 40ft in the air and landing on concrete (this is the point at which the iPod actually stopped playing music)

The website features pictures as well.

Well, just to chime in,
I picked up a black 2GBer yesterday. After fiddling with Itunes for a while (it didn't seem to like my computer...) I got everything working. First impressions: awesome!
I bought it specifically for the gym (I have a 20GB sony with longer battery life for travel/walking around town) and I'm very happy with the size, ease of use and sound quality.
I wouldn't buy it as a primary DAP, but as a secondary player it more than fulfills my needs. I was on the fence about having two players, as up until last week there were very few 2GB flash players at all, and most of them were quite pricey. I first heard about the Nano on Thursday and knew it must be mine...
Honestly, for 2GB, 21000 yen was a damn good price. For those of you who say that a little bit more money gets you the full-sized iPod, that's true, but it's a flash player, geared for different needs and a different market. If you go to the gym/need tunes for exercising, this is a very good deal.

Dead sexy too!

Man. My rational side of me knows that it's a total waste of money. But I want one! Once I sell my shuffle, I'm totally getting one. Maybe. Hopefully. I better not.

I've sold several ipods to people who didn't even really know what an ipod was for, just because "everyone" at the gym has one. (whoa, does anyone else smell a sheep?) They become less shocked at the price once they discover it actually has a function.

I personally will hold off of the nano, or the Ipod phone. I want a cross, the Ipod phone with palm! That would be a phone I want to buy!

They're not out of their fucking minds. The original iPod mini - in January '04 - was a non-flash 4 GB hard drive also for $250, $50 less than the 10 GB available at the time - and became their best-selling iPod. I thought it was ridiculous as well - if anything, a gimmick to up the sales of 10 GB iPods - but as it turns out, yes, people want something that "looks cool" and many of them just don't NEED more than 4 GB of music.

great link..

don't think you have to worry about throwing this in your bag or dropping it while you run..

just another reason why I'm gonna get one.

i'm at 3Gb for Pink and I don't listen to all the music that's currently on there, maybe about 1Gb I move about back and forth the rest is me hording and holding.

i just got a 1gb SD card for the Palm and other SD devices and if I did use it for the old Rio player I think I'd be content with that too.

Mine (actually my wife's anniversary present) got delivered this morning! Damn, it's small! I hope she likes it.

The click wheel seems to be in hyper mode, but I guess she'll just need to get used to it.

I going to keep it hidden from her until the date, but I've already got a playlist ready for it. I think she'll appreciate the contacts/calendar/photo viewer more than listening to music.

I don't understand how it would "look cool" to have something you see everywhere you turn your head...
here in NYC, its iPod, iPod photo, iPod mini, more iPod minis...etc
I don't think half the people even looked to see what the other options were...When they hear mp3 player they hear iPod. The concept is as retarded as hearing "Ford" when they hear car...way better prices, way better quality elsewhere.

Nano looks great, I need a flash player for the gym.

If you are a student, you can order from apple.com and get a 10% discount.

You can also have it engraved for free.

I'm just trying to think up some cool japanese poem to throw on the back of mine.

The great thing about the Nano isn't that it's small - there are plenty of player's with a smaller profile, but none less than maybe half an inch. It's barely over a quarter inch thick, AND it holds 2 to 4 times more than any other flash player I've seen.

Still, lack of codec support and FM radio have me looking elsewhere for now. Not like I can afford it anyway. :(

Some time after the iPod nano has been released, the general consensus is that it is a nice player, incredibly small, and durable.

The one downside to the player that many have noticed so far is the scratchability. The back (glossy side) is obviously easiyl scratched but that has been known about the iPods since they have come out. The window has been reported to be easily scratched and the visibility is decreased when its scratched.

the Nano is nothing short of incredible.

I'd have to agree. I am immensely pleased with my nano.

i bought a nano 2 days after it came out and very happy with it and can't believe it's so small.
3 weeks later they are bringing out one that plays video's, mine is alredy out of date just can't keep up!!!!!!!!

Jeez. They don't even have any accessories out for the nanos yet and they are updating what they can do?

Just FYI

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/1...eut/index.html