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1. 

   Mark
   March 19th, 2010 - 13:25

   Apple 4 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Silver (3rd Generation)

   Apple’s new nano is designed to improve the previous models and some extra features. Best video, smaller thinner body and updated firmware are enough to make it stand out. The slightly lower price tag is certainly also to sell more units.

   I think most buyers will opt for 8GB, whereas is 50 €, more than 4 GB and actually makes the video function more usable. Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Blue (3rd Generation) Regardless, the new nano is an improvement in all dimensions.

   Pro + Small size – so thin! !
   + Nice design – shorter, fatter form factor for more reliability
   + Brushed aluminum front seems more durable than plastic composite of 2nd generation nano
   ; + Many color options – silver, blue, green, black, etc.
   + brighter screen with better contrast than previous generations
   + Great video option is nice to have for shows TV sample, clip, etc.
   + Works with most traditional iPod accessories (except old A / V cable)
   + sale prices! Lowest price Apple video player can
   + price tag below that Nano 2nd Generation
   + Unlike iPod classic: all flash memory less failures and crimes
   + Flash memory also awesome for running / practice
   + slightly better quality of the sound of 2nd generation
   + Apple reputation is highly deserved

   Cons – 4 GB capacity is very limited for a video player and will require constant reloading via iTunes
   – New 2GB Shuffle option provides an alternative workout to about 1 / 3 the price < , br /> – New design not ideal for very big hands due to smaller click wheel
   – Universal Dock is now required for video output (no more cable A / V) < br /> – slightly shorter battery life than other iPods
   – No expandability or SD card slot like Sansa View or
   Creative Zen – iTunes software with limited native formats (MP3, AAC)
   – Coverflow still buggy / slow
   – built-in features competitors, such as FM radio and voice recording, much be bought as add,
   – players competing now available at 16GB flash similar body size
   < , br />

   Looks Some people prefer more body and Gen2 nano Click Wheel larger. More nano was likely to bend (and sometimes break) when people put them in his pocket and sat down or moved. The smaller click-wheel can be difficult, especially for those with large hands. But it is a worthy compromise for the smaller size and greater durability.

   Another change motivated by durability is the face of metal. The old clear composite face was a magnet for stains and scratches. The new brushed metal face holds more beautiful. Be careful, though, you can chip and scratch, you get a cover.

   Sound The sound quality is not significantly improved from previous models. The slight improvements touted in Apple’s marketing are exaggerated. But let’s be fair to Apple here. MP3 and audio CDs are also limitations inherent quality of the sound.

   MP3 is a compression technology that allows quality loss, however minimal. With a low bitrate MP3 files lose more and more the integrity of the sound from the original recording. Combine this with the fact many rip from sources that are not digitally remastered, and is set to deteriorate the sound quality of all units.

   Almost no MP3 players are actually designed for audiophiles / musicians / sound engineer, I. e. People who could distinguish between a good sound and good sound. Fortunately, some of these units start to hit the market.

   software features and some new features are noteworthy with this device. Changes in components and software to make the screen brighter and allow you to do more things, including watch videos and play games. Some complain that there is enough memory for video. You can still get sufficient here to watch a movie or fit some TV shows with your music. This is a nice extra, even if these nano does not have tremendous memory.

   The flash memory device may have been a faster speed. But the main advantages of Flash Player are still here: less risk of hardware failure associated with a player of the hard drive (or best for the implementation of training).

   The device seems to have a shorter battery life than advertised. Perhaps because of smaller body size Apple placed a smaller batter inside. As long as you sync and charge at night, it’s ok. You are still likely to get one days worth of use on a full charge.

   The Apple software is still a weak point, with very limited direct control over your device library and few native file options. All formats can be converted using iTunes or other software. You can convert almost all files in MP3, MP4, AAC or you need iTunes. This means that those of us with other players will be 2 versions of our libraries on our computers, eating up space on your hard drive. And ‘because you can not drag and drop adding into the reader, you must add it to iTunes and then sync.

   most users have limited needs and do not notice if you use MP3 files. Apple hits the minimum compatibility with most of the market.

   Coverflow is little more than a gimmick. It ’still buggy and often extends blank if you scroll quickly. Cover art has been taken in earlier versions of the software and most other video players, so the ability to scroll covers is not really a turning point.

   Competitors Pros and Cons

   ; Apple products are obviously more expensive than other players on a cost per gigabyte $. Addition, the iPod still has fewer built-in features than most competitive products. It has built-in FM radio, voice recorder, Bluetooth, WMA support, and an expansion slot for SD cards. Both the Creative Zen Creative Zen 4 GB MP3 Player (Black) and the Sansa View SanDisk Sansa View 8 GB MP3 Player have micro SD slot, FM tuner and voice recording components built in. Both are better prices. Sansa View comes in a size of 16 GB for the same price as the 8GB Nano.

   Even the iPod Nano beats both players in terms of size, such as the Creative Zen is much thicker and the Sansa View is longer. Also keep in mind that the Creative Zen has been somewhat ‘defective, and the view is the experience not so long only to be released in November 2007.

   The new Sony players have finally abandoned their malicious software, and now a good competition the iPod Nano. In a typical Sony, their price is high as the nano. But they have quality components and better sound quality. NWZA816BLK Sony 4 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black)

   The new 2GB iPod Shuffle, released in February 2008, probably provides the biggest competition if you do not care about the video and can only use it works. Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Silver (2nd Generation) for 1 / 3 the price, you get a player with half the capacity that is designed for long battery life with active use.

   Conclusion

   In the end, what the iPod nano does, he does very well. Apple really wins with sleek design and a wide range of accessories. This unit is no different. Not all docks and accessories that work with the 3rd generation, but many do. And for the large number of users already using iTunes, the music moving toward the Nano is a snap.

   Overall this device is an improvement. Apple’s entry-level video player will continue to be popular thanks to great features, affordable prices and the Apple brand.

   Enjoy!
2. 

   Mark
   March 19th, 2010 - 14:04

   Apple iPod Nano 8GB Black (3rd Generation)

   This review is for the 8 GB iPod Nano. All reviews of the third generation Nanos have been combined with Amazon. Although this unit is very similar to 4 GB iPod Nano Apple 4 GB iPod Nano (3rd generation) are so many differences that were worth a closer look.

   Choose from iPod

   Overall, I would choose the 8 GB iPod Nano over the 4 GB Nano and iPod Touch 8GB. This unit has a fair price, and only $ 50 more than 4 GB drive is a breeze. Those who want to strengthen should look at the 16 GB Apple iPod touch 16 GB or 32 GB iPod touch Apple iPod touch 32 GB. I was lucky enough to live with all these actors, so I hope this helps you decide.

   We hope that Apple will soon be a 16GB or even a 32 GB Nano available. Only the iPod Touch currently sports those capacities. To offer the larger sizes of 8 GB is the largest option. The screen is small, but the buttons and Click Wheel lets you adjust volume and more easily track changes and better use on the move that the iPod Touch.

   Some may choose to pay an extra $ 100 more than this to increase to 8 GB iPod touch Apple iPod touch 8 GB with software upgrade. The extra features on the touch screen is impressive. The high overhead on the software offers Touch 6-6. 5 GB of usable space, of these 8 GB. It is not sufficient to justify the higher price.

   Compared with its competitors – Features and problems

   iPod Nano still has less features than most competing products. It has built-in FM radio, voice recorder, Bluetooth, WMA support, or an expansion slot. More and more users demand those features. Both the thicker ZEN ZEN 8GB (black) and higher ViewSanDisk Sansa Sansa View 8GB MP3 Player include most of these functions. Both also now in 16GB and 32GB capacities.

   Creative Zen has better sound and file version support. But the original software is even worse and the company has acquired a reputation as a high risk. Conversely, the Sansa View is perhaps the best value, but the screen and the sound quality is less convenient or two. Perhaps the new Sansa Fuze may further improvement, but we wait and see SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player (Silver).

   course is the growing population of Zune wireless sharing and syncing Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player Black (2nd Generation). But the Zune screen is also less attractive for video and the device has other issues. So it would still choose the Nano over the Zune.

   Perhaps the best new entrant is the 800 series Sony MP3 player Sony NWZA818BLK 8GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black). For years, Sony devices suffered from proprietary formats and audio is annoying and unethical software limitations. Sony has finally given to the MP3 format, but I’m sure trying to get DRM at every turn. Surprisingly, even though Apple is clearly the market leader Sony has almost overpriced their units. Although expensive, are durable metal nano. And in terms of sound quality, I’d say are good, if not slightly better. I just do not consumers would pay a premium.

   Sound the sound quality is slightly improved. Apple has a much better reputation and lower error music players marketed on high fidelity sound. Quality components and took more questions. But there is still no player on the market today that can truly say Hi-Fi Sound.

   some technical limitations make it very difficult to get lossless audio from any device regardless of the source file. Lower bit rate for MP3 files lose more and more sound integrity, and even CDs have quality limits, which is even lower if they are digitally remastered.

   The Looks Apple shortened the body and added a brushed metal face for durability. There was a previous Nano version with a round face of metal. Then he tried to clear composite plastic face that so easily scratched and dirty. Shoulders still shiny aluminum surface used on most models of iPod, which is known for attracting fingerprints. The brushed metal face holds, but you need a cover.

   The screen is pretty small, but I would argue still adequate. But the only thin makes this player to overcome with features less than many players competing. Apple loses points for the smaller click-wheel is inconvenient for those who have big hands. Features

   The ability to watch videos and play is huge. With 8 GB capacity, you can still get enough here for a flight. And ‘the greatest benefit for the 4GB model. Watch the video will reduce the battery life of about 5 hours in each case.

   Apple Software gives you limited direct control over your music and few file options. For me, with many players, it is more difficult to manage your music library with multiple copies. iTunes is good enough for most users. You can easily convert and import the file, but it is a step more annoying.

   Cover-flow still underperforms the Nano than the iPod Touch. For me it is not a deal-breaker with the nano right buttons. You still have the advantages of a flash-based players. />

   Conclusion Apple’s nice price, sleek design and a wide range of accessories to overcome the missing features or annoying software restrictions. Unless you can afford a 16 or 32GB iPod Touch or demand some of the missing features offered by competitors using this iPod Nano 8 GB and do not look back.

   Enjoy!
3. 

   James L. Jensen V
   March 19th, 2010 - 16:37

   So last night I took my first Ipod, got a black 8GB Nano. Glad I waited for the new “fat” version. A few months ago I bought my sister a Nano as a gift so comparing “slim” Nano to the “fat” video Nano I like the most in more than the width helps me to keep the better player.
   My focus is just that: with the new Cover Flow feature, you must be very careful how you organize your music, spent a lot of time last night, may be terminated. If any of the information on tags song (s) is off from the rest of the disc, which will create multiple albums in Cover Flow, nor are the album covers for all the music becomes annoying in coverflow. So my advice is to be careful how you organize in iTunes. I noticed a couple of times that the picture Coverflow took a second to load the picture as I was scrolling, but it seems to go away after a couple of times.
   “Split Screen from the menu that randomly shows some of your album art is very cool Very cool, because half of the screen can display a whole album cover it pans across the covers of albums at random The cover displayed is too random.
   .
   last point, some people rant about how the 8 GB Nano is $ 50 U.S. dollars less than the 80 GB Classic. I remember his hard disk, flash memory, they tend to be active and move around a lot and plan to use the Nano, while the gym I wanted the stability of flash memory. for me to compare the two is like comparing a dump truck like a sports car, you might want one or the other at any given time so it is really up to decide what is important, capacity or portability?
   ;
4. 

   Karl
   March 19th, 2010 - 18:51

   If the TV-out, it is important to you, or if you do not care about playing podcasts back to back without fiddling with the iPod, so I’m sure you still love the new 3G nano. I like the video function, the size (great for commuting), style and color of the new iPod nano 3G and iPod are the easiest / best way of selecting and sorting through music of any MP3 player out there. (I tried a couple of other brands.) Ma. . .

   . . . in my case, one of the main reasons I bought the 3G was so that I could show pictures or videos on a TV. Unfortunately, this feature, you must purchase a new cable which costs $ 50 (the old AV cables do not work. The new cables to connect through the docking port not through the headphone input.) This is obviously something that Most people won `t find out until they buy the product and the old AV cable. Not only do you need a new cable, but I went to many stores to get the new cable and none of them had in stock. I finally had to order directly from the iTunes Store. I imagine that someday soon, 3rd party cables will be made to one third of the cost of new AV cable from Apple, but if you want the video feature now, be prepared to fork over another $ 50. Uh!

   a disappointment for me was a modification of the software that significantly affects what I use for the iPod. especially for listening to podcasts and download all my favorites and then listen to them all, but a mess with your iPod feature (very nice when you train for an hour or more, and I do not want to ruin your iPod on the move). old iPod, I found my music podcast on the menu under “genres” and could click on “Podcasts” and “all” and take place all without ever having to touch it again. Cool! The new iPod does not allow this. Not cool! Podcasts have been moved to the main menu so that no longer appear on the menu of music and there’s no way to play all non-stop. (If anyone finds a way to do this, you can make a comment.) So now when I’m in a long ride on my bike, or I’m in traffic, should I stop and fumble with 3G by the end of each podcast. It ‘really annoying and what used to be a big part of the 2G nano, suddenly becomes impossible on 3G. Bummer! Now I’m back to using my 2G nano on my commuter bike.

   Update (January 12) … The “Shuffle” is set to what has caused my podcasts to stop playing back to back. If shuffle is set to ‘off’ which play without touching the iPod. Thanks for the comments that led to this discovery. But it was not set up the software for it and it’s annoying having to fiddle with the shuffle setting depending on whether you want to listen to music or podcasts. Hello Apple!

   Finally, the nano 3G some compatibility issues with other products. For example, I bought the iHome alarm clock and weaknesses when I use my 3G, but it works fine with my 2G ones. Same thing with a sports watch I tested in store. Timex Ironman watch that has wireless controls for the iPod did not work with 3G. So if you’re an early adopter, be aware of this. I would recommend that if you have a 3G nano, which will carefully test the store with a product that claims to be nano 3G compatible before buying and see what features you care about actually working.
5. 

   Rarkm
   March 19th, 2010 - 20:33

   I was ready to love the nano. E ‘Apple really typical product design – elegant, beautiful and elegant – and it would be perfect except for two very annoying software / firmware problem, and Apple’s apparent lack of interest in solving the first problem. If it were not for these two problems, I would give the nano 4 1 / 2 stars. Maybe 5 stars.

   1 First issue – this is apparently normal from what I read in all places – is to some. MP3-encoded files will skip to the next song for no apparent reason. Skip is always at the same point in the song, and immediately move to the next track. No reboot, iTunes reinstallation or anything else helps. The same song will play well in iTunes (the computer) and any other device e. mp3 players, just choking on Nano.

   Apple’s help desk is only one thing. Discard the track and reburn the CD using Apple’s iTunes encoder. Since I have over 1500 songs recorded. mp3 and jumps all happens randomly, it is a ridiculous waste of time, and since the problem is most likely firmware related, it should be up to Apple to solve, but obviously do not want to do it for reasons only they know or understand . Apple simply can not speak. This is probably the most boring part of the problem. They do not recognize the problem and not solving it. (Microsoft never admits error either and it is disgusting. How ’bout a changelog for software updates so that the rest of us know what you fixed? E’ asking too much?)

   2 It took me more than a day to find out why my movies were not syncing “pod. The answer is that there is an iTunes synch video box”occur in a dark menu that is selected by default. Because Apple does not include a manual (or even a disk with a manual, users more or less left to download the manual if it can find from Apple’s website and try to diagnose the problem themselves. Again time, Apple help desk is not very informative. iTunes seems to be well prepared, but for some reason its menus and setup is not entirely intuitive. Perhaps it would be more intuitive for a Mac user, but I had more problems than I expected to get my iPod set up correctly and loaded with music that I wanted.
   < , br /> Apple proudly boasts that their products just work. “In this case, it works nano” only some time. “I hope, but they are very confident that the problem be solved with a skip last firmware update. In any case, those of you with great. mp3 software libraries should be warned.

   – Other niceties –
   A chance to go to 16 concerts would be nice but Apple likes sealed machines. The only thing you can put the nano is a stereo minijack. Moreover, there is no user replaceable battery – but when the battery is exhausted (I suspect that has a duration of 1000 charges that all Li-Ion batteries), probably for the best and most recent ditch anyway.
   
   I note that Apple’s iTunes Store is brilliant – well designed, interesting and makes you want to simply throw money at them for songs you ever consider buying the CD. Apple’s move to gradually introduce more HD encoded (256 kb. aac) non-DRM’d music, and this is something that nobody else is doing as far as I know.

   12/3/2007 UPDATE: Apple has just released the firmware update 1 0. 3, it is still unclear what was fixed, which contained no changelog or buglist included with the upgrade to tell what they drive. One thing that is not fixed, it is “skipping” problem described above. < , br />
   experience a few weeks of Nano has essentially confirmed my first impressions – yes, the design and appearance of the hardware is good enough – is the software / firmware problem. Since the Nano is limited to 8 GB (who ever thought that 8 GB would be limiting, and h), there is a real problem when your library exceeds 8 GB and you continue to add music. It does not seem to be a way to add music library without having “controlled” for synchronization. So if you’re already beyond the limit of 8 GB and you add new music, you must clear the new music manually in order to preserve your existing Nano mix without problems synchronization. If there is a way to add music without disturbing your current list of sync, I’ve found.

   Another feature that I have not found a simple way and rapid synchronization to keep several lists for different moods (for example, all classical mix, all 60s mix, all vocalists list) so you can quickly Resync and get the mixture to be loaded without a excessive manual retouching. There is enough there somewhere, is not only evident where it is.

   I agree that the power of Apple’s new request for $ 50 ‘ video output is a cheesy ripoff. It is not “sold in stores, so there is no saying how many people were burned by Clueless Circuit City and Best Buy employees were aware that the third party cables that have sold will no longer work with The nano 3rd generation.”

   And finally, yes, it would be nice to have an FM tuner but Apple “does not do it” with the iPod, maybe it’s one thing Steve Jobs (over I suspect that they are crammed so many chips as they can to Nano form factor and may be impossible to do so, but what do I know.)

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