Among the new iPods that Apple announced during its latest music event, the iPod nano proved to be the most dramatically different design of all. It no longer features a scroll wheel for navigating menus, fittingly leaving the iPod classic as the only one of the range with that iconic control method.
Now the front side of the nano is almost entirely taken up by a capacitive touch-sensitive screen like the one on the iPod touch, save for a few millimetres around its edge. It measures 1.54 inches diagonally and its display is both 240 pixels wide and tall.
Apple says the nano’s new design is 46 percent smaller and 42 percent lighter than the elongated 2009 model. On the top edge are volume controls and a power button, while the bottom edge contains the 3.5mm headphone jack and Apple’s 30-pin Dock connector, so the nano should continue to work with many existing accessories.
Despite its tiny size, the nano still packs in an FM radio and a pedometer, along with support for Nike+ fitness equipment, for which you’ll need to purchase special footwear and a sensor to go in it, which communicates with the iPod nano.
Beyond its small size, the nano shares another feature with the iPod shuffle: there’s now a clip on the rear side, which Steve Jobs announced with a seemingly proud boast that it means no more armbands for fitness fanatics. The clip means they can enjoy all the benefits of the iPod shuffle and many other features – including a multi-touch screen for quick navigation.
While the iPod nano’s size makes it look more like an iPod shuffle, using it is a lot more like the iPod touch. Although Apple did not give any indication of the nano’s system software, its menus are styled to look like those in iOS, with bold icons arranged on a Home screen that you can rearrange to gather together the features you use the most.
Menus are navigated with taps and swipes on the screen. You don’t have to worry about which way you clip the iPod to your clothing, since twisting two fingers on its screen rotates the display’s contents through 90 degrees at a time.
The nano’s new design means that it forfeits the video camera introduced in the 2009 model, nor does it play video anymore. Apple says that the iPod nano will last for 24 hours of music playback.
There’s a range of seven colour options: blue, link, silver, green, orange, graphite and red. Each one is available in two capacities, with 8GB costing £129 and 16GB costing £159. The iPod nano will be available from next week, and you can place pre-orders at Apple’s online store. Shipping is expected to be between seven and 10 business days.
Apple also announced updates to the iPod shuffle and the iPod touch.
