
Apple's revamped Nano has video recording, FM radio and an integrated speaker
The fifth-generation Apple iPod Nano retains the same elongated body as its predecessor, but adds several longed-for and unexpected features. The inability to take still photos is a tad perplexing, but the addition of an integrated speaker, video recording and an FM radio receiver make it the most capable and best value iPod Nano so far.
Apple has made few aesthetic changes to the iPod Nano. You will no longer be able to tell the Nano's capacity as Apple has removed the label. The biggest change to the MP3 player's case is the aluminium finish, which gives the MP3 player (available in nine colours) a glossy sheen. It makes the Nano somewhat more attractive, though only subtly so.
What lies within the casing has changed significantly. For starters, Apple has integrated a speaker. The speaker, curiously an unadvertised feature, is a fantastic addition that will allow you to share music or videos with friends (albeit at poor quality).
Like iPhone 3GS, the new iPod Nano features video recording. You won't be able to take still photos (an omission Apple blames on the difference in size between a sensor capable of recording VGA resolution footage and a 2- or 3-megapixel sensor). However, you will be able to shoot VGA-quality (640x480 pixels) video at 30 frames per second in the H.264 format. A one minute video took up 19MB of space during testing, which means you will be able to store around 860 minutes of video on a 16GB iPod Nano.
The sensor is located in the bottom right of the iPod Nano's back casing, which could make it easy to accidentally obscure when filming in portrait mode. Like Apple's Photo Booth software, you can use a range of filters and video effects when filming. Many filters, like "Cyborg," are gimmicky at best but others like "Film Grain" and "Security Cam" do help to mask any pixilation. The iPod Nano's accelerometer determines whether you're filming in portrait or landscape modes and shifts the video accordingly. However, videos filmed in landscape will play in a 4:3 aspect ratio once exported, whereas portrait videos play in the elongated 9:16 aspect ratio that suits the iPod Nano's unconventional display.
The camera's resolution means the iPod Nano can't compete with 720p-capable video recorders like the Kodak Zx1 and Flip UltraHD. As such, you wouldn't keep it on hand to shoot any serious video or film in low-light situations, but as an extra feature for the Nano the video camera's quality certainly isn't displeasing.
Apple has also added an FM receiver to the iPod Nano; it's a feature many users have been asking for. Since the iPod Nano uses headphone wiring as an antenna, you won't be able to use the integrated speaker. Quality isn't fantastic, even for FM radio. We experienced several pauses and breaks in reception during use. This could be improved by using better quality headphones.
One interesting feature is Live Pause, which allows you to pause or rewind a radio broadcast to any point in the last 15 minutes. The iPod Nano begins buffering radio as soon as you tune into a station and will delete the buffer if you change to another station or turn the radio off. A second unconventional feature, iTunes Tagging, theoretically allows you to tag any song played on the radio so you don't forget. However, this feature is currently only available in the US due to technical requirements on the station's end.
Other hardware improvements include an integrated pedometer which can be used to track your fitness using the Nike + iPod Sports Kit. Apple has employed a headphone port on the iPod Nano, so the MP3 player now supports the company's proprietary in-line remote control. This can be used to control music playback and volume and initiate the Nano's newly gained VoiceOver feature, which speaks the name of the song playing through the headphones. Unfortunately, Apple only bundles standard earphones with the iPod Nano; the in-line remote control must be purchased separately.
The iPod Nano's user interface will be familiar to anyone who has owned or used a previous generation Nano or iPod Classic. Syncing is a familiar experience, though the options have been expanded to separate iTunes U (university lectures and podcasts) from other podcasts, and you can sync contacts and calendars with iTunes and supported external applications. iTunes won't sync videos recorded on the iPod Nano, however; these must be exported by navigating to the Nano's "DCIM" folder on the computer.
iTunes' Genius recommendations feature has been ported to the iPod Nano in the form of Genius Mixes. The feature automatically creates a playlist of songs based on similar genres and musical styles. This can be initiated from the iPod Nano itself or you can drag existing Genius playlists from iTunes to the iPod. You must first send your music library information to Apple servers (anonymously), but provided you aren't concerned about potential privacy issues Genius is a great way to mix up your listening experience.