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Apple iPod Nano 8GB MP3 Player Review - Intro

By Mark Brezinski
Published on September 15, 2008
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Intro	Tour & Design
Hardware	Media Interface
Media Management	Other Media Software
Performance	Internet & Wireless
Synchronization	Organizer & Other Software
Conclusion	Ratings & Specs

The iPod Nano has undergone quite a transformation since it was first released. The last iteration was short, squat, and obliterated the iPod Mini from existence. The new Nano is ridiculously small and thin, and somehow manages to fit an accelerometer into itself.

If you're familiar with iPods, you're familiar with the Nano. The same list-based software layout has been retained since the device's inception, only it looks a lot prettier nowadays. The tiny device can play music well, has a screen that's a bit too small for frequent video watchers, and doesn't have that many fluorishes included out of box.

Part of the thinness of its software can be remedied by synchronizing over Nano-suitable applications from the iTunes Store. Part of it can be excused because the device is too small. Most of it, however, is overshadowed by the device's great audio quality. Don't even bother plugging the packed-in headphones into this thing, because you'll just be wasting its nearly flawless output. Invest in some nice headphones and enjoy.

The Nano is currently available in nine different colors, each of which are $150.

Section The Good The Bad

Tour & Design Cute, durable, portable, and supports a lot of files.
If you're sick of the way iPods look, the redesign won't do much to win you over.

Hardware Good controls. The screen and battery life are impressive for a device this size.
Most people would rather have a mediocre large screen than a tiny one.

Media Interface Simple, intuitive layout, all basics covered. Not much covered besides basics.

Media Management Good sorting options, easy to use, better scroll wheel than the Classic.
Scroll wheels are only good for short lists, and the Nano doesn't have good tools for browsing longer ones.

Other Media Software Good podcast support.
Bad photo album.

Performance The Nano has absurdly good audio quality; it did well on all of our tests.
The headphones are bad. Buy different ones to take advantage of the Nano's audio quality.

Internet & Wireless N/A: no wireless.
N/A: no wireless.

Synchronization iTunes is good for synchronization, playing media, and organizing your songs.
Apple forces you to use iTunes, or other software to transfer; you can't just drag & drop files onto the device directly.

Other Software Lets you look at PIM information, you can sync over iTunes Apps, accelerometer, etc.
It is a bit annoying that you can look at your calendar but not add anything to it.

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