iPod Nano

I've been eager to test the all-new iPod Nano ever since I attended the launch here in Mumbai and held one for the first time. Some of you may be aware that I’m not particularly fond of the iPod, but something about the newer crop, including the Touch, appeal to me. I still hate that most of the time I’m restricted to using iTunes, but nevertheless I got my hands on the Nano. And let me tell you, I had quite a time!

Form Factor
I totally love the new and improved design. It’s really slim with a great 2-inch, 320 x 240 pixel resolution display. Apple has made sure that it fits the profile of a perfect workout device, with dimensions of 2.75 x 2.06 x 0.26 inches and a weight of just 49.2 grams.

Even with Coverflow technology and new features and games, the product looks familiar. If you’ve seen one iPod before you’ve pretty much seen them all, eh? And so, the essential iPodness has been retained with the wheel and the product finish. The Hold switch is located at the bottom.

Features and Performance
Music and Video
Sometimes I wonder why manufacturers make audio devices with EQ presets that make negligible difference to the sound. Apple’s iPod doesn’t really need EQ presets. What I would have liked is a customizable option. Nevertheless the sound quality is better than plain old 'good'. It's an iPod after all.

If you haven’t converted your files to their optimum quality and are picky about sound quality, you may have a problem. If the file is optimized it should sound brilliant, right? If I have to use software like iTunes to transfer my files I expect my music to sound out at the same level. Sadly it only transfers the files and details like album art. I did like the sound though – it was loud and clear and so much better with another set of earphones.

You can also use Winamp to transfer files – but make sure that iTunes is not simultaneously running. One problem I faced is that even though I used iTunes to transfer most of my music, for some strange reason a few songs refused to play. Unfortunately I have no explanation for this.

Far be it from me to poke fun at Apple or any its proprietary products, but come on! iTunes may be a formidable software for your iPod when it comes to file transfer and organization, but the fact that it would take, oh, let’s say forever, to convert a video for the iPod makes it a sucky software.

The Nano doesn’t really make watching videos too easy – though the screen may be larger than in the older version, it's still too darn small. Also, most of the videos get converted to a 16:9 format so you end up with an even smaller visual. That’s plain annoying.