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iPod nano Review (7th Generation 2012)

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The new iPod nano brings a bigger screen, bluetooth support and a fresh design, but stops short of adding WiFi and a full version of iOS 6 that supports apps and streaming music.

As an MP3 player the iPod nano is one of the best, but for users that already own smartphones the $150 anodized aluminum MP3 player can feel redundant.

The iPod nano is a great companion for working out, especially now that it pairs with Bluetooth headphones and contains a Nike+ fitness app. The new hardware button to skip songs makes it possible to skip tracks without fumbling with touch-controls.

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The iPod nano is available with 16GB of storage for $149, half the price of the new iPod touch 5th generation.

iPod nano Design and Overview

The iPod nano is a colorful well-built MP3 player and a 2.5-inch touch screen. The nano is available in eight colors, with an anodized aluminum finish similar to the iPhone’s finish. Fortunately the iPod nano is not as easy to scratch. The home button, found on all iOS devices, is back on the iPod nano 7th generation.

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The iPod nano 7th generation features an anodized aluminum back and a 2.5-inch display.

The iPod nano design changes dramatically with every new model, and the 2102 iPod nano is no exception. Apple did away with the square design that owners enjoyed for its ability to wear as a watch, returning to a larger rectangle look. There is no clip on the iPod nano 7th generation.

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The iPod nano plays video, but the screen is too small.

With the new shape and larger screen, the iPod nano can now play videos synced through iTunes. It’s a nice thought, but the screen is too small for watching even for a half hour TV show or in the hands of a child.

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Control music without looking thanks to hardware controls.

The iPod nano takes design cues from the Apple EarPods that ship with the iPhone. A third button sits between the volume buttons on the left side of the device that pauses playback with a tap, or skips to the next song with a double tap. This is great for eye-free music control, and a feature we hope Apple will add to the next iPhone and iPod touch.

Performance and Features

With Bluetooth the iPod nano is a more versatile device that makes it easy to workout without wires and to play music over Bluetooth speakers like a Jambox. Bluetooth isn’t a common feature in small standalone MP3 players. There is no built-in speakers so this makes it possible to listen without headphones.

There is no WiFi or support for third-party apps on the iPod nano, which impacts the usefulness to those of us who rely on music streaming services to get music. The FM radio app picks up local radio stations, with headphones connected as the antenna, and will show track information if available.

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Track workouts with the Nike+ Fitness app.

The Nike+ Fitness app on the iPhone can act as a fitness monitor to track steps and running. This is a nice way to track workouts, but it isn’t as good as a Nike Fuelband or Fitbit for tracking a full day of activity. It can connect to a Heart Rate Monitor and other Nike gear over bluetooth to augment the workout data.

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The iPod nano includes a small selection of Apple apps.

The iPod nano includes a Podcast app similar to the one found on iOS 6. A photos app shows pictures synced through iTunes. The clock app offers six faces, but since the iPod nano doesn’t fit on a wrist it’s not as useful. The clock app also includes a stopwatch and a timer.

Apple claims battery life is 30 hours with music playback and 3.5 hours while watching video. The iPod nano lasted two weeks while listening to music and playing a few videos the battery. Suffice to say, battery life beats out smartphone, even with Bluetooth on.

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The iPod nano uses a Lightning cable.

The iPod nano uses the new Apple lightning connector which is in the box with a pair of the new Apple EarPods, but these headphones don’t include playback controls. The headphones are OK, but there are better options.

Recommendation

The iPod nano is a great MP3 player for fitness, but for anyone that uses their smartphone to workout it feels like a device in search of a place between the iPod shuffle and the iPod touch.

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The iPod nano is a good device, but an iPod touch or iPhone offers more.

For many users the iPod touch offers a better value with a larger display for watching movies, access to apps for streaming music and playing games. The iPod Touch is $199 for the 4th generation and is as low as $129 refurbished direct from Apple.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Darius

    12/04/2012 at 10:14 pm

    The best part of the 6th gen Nano was it’s diminutive size. I wear it in a watch band which makes it awesome for running. In my humble opinion, Apple should have developed a tiny bluetooth adapter to go with the Nano instead of a bigger version of it.

    • Tyler Allen

      12/07/2012 at 10:27 pm

      I agree! The 7th is absolute garbage! The idea of videos on a nano is stupid to be nice! The HUGE home button is the meaning of un innovative! The circular interface looks as if it copied droid!
      ALL WE WANTED WAS BLUETOOTH & RETINA DISPLAY!
      Remember when apple made product for professionals!? Seems now all they care about is teenagers & China! Tim Cook… I’m just going to bluntly say Screw you and everything you are doing to the company I love! What happened to making the best products….and not trying to make the most products (the microsoft blueprint for failure)
      I want my watch!
      Think about it… You get a call and you look at your watch and either hit accept or deny!
      You leave your phone on table or in car and the watch beeps or vibrates at 10 feet!
      Paired to an i4s or i5… you could use it with siri…or as an simplified apple tv remote!

      Apple you dropped the ball…& then those colors…are you trying to be a windows phone!

      • Lois Frey

        01/06/2013 at 10:56 am

        Tyler Allen, just because Apple made a new device doesn’t mean you have to buy it. I think many people will enjoy this new nano. Every device has its pros and cons, even the iPod nano 6th generation has them. I think the idea of a bigger screen and the new botton that makes it easy to change songs without looking is great.

  2. Karen Lewis

    12/27/2012 at 12:42 pm

    Bought one for my husband for Christmas. Stopped working after 3 days. Took it back to store and their geek squad said that it was bad and they gave my husband a new one. Brought it home and hooked it up to the computer, and it didn’t work. Taking it back to the store for refund and went on Amazon to buy him a 5th generation nano. All the usb ports on the computer were working fine. The 7th generation nano is just a piece of crap. Even the sales person at the store seemed to indicate so.

    • Buffy

      01/06/2013 at 11:30 am

      Have had my 7th generation since they came out, love it and no problems, connects fine to my wireless bluetooth speaker in the house too.

  3. Geoff

    01/27/2013 at 7:27 pm

    Where can I find games for an Ipod nano 7th generation? Are there any?

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