Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (4th Generation) [Previous Model]
by Apple Computer
![Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (4th Generation) [Previous Model]](/images/Apple-iPod-nano-8-GB-Black-4th-Generation-Previous-Model-B001FA1NCI-L.jpg)
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Our Price: $238.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $64.99 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (4th Generation) [Previous Model]
Customer Review: mixed bag
Summary: 3 Stars
I just bought this as a replacement for my second generation nano, which I must have bought about four years ago. it's essentially the same size, shape, and functionality, so I was interested to know what four years of Apple development would mean.
Not a lot.
Pros:
- The screen is larger, brighter, clearer, higher resolution.
- It seems far less scratchable than the original plastic ones (though I'm still worried about the screen and wish they included a strip of protector with your purchase)
- More graphic-intensive, which I guess is nice but if you're buying this for amazing graphics then I have to ask what you're doing with your time.
- It puts a little blue dot next to podcasts you haven't listened to. Very useful.
- Faster processor, menus react immediately.
- Price was lower than my 2G was, despite 4 years inflation.
Cons:
- The scrollpad feels cheaper than before, it's less reliable and responsive. Clicking down doesn't feel as distinct as before.
- Apple seems to have decided not to support people who use Windows XP 64-bit, which means that while Itunes works, it gives me an error everytime it starts. It also means, apparently, that every time I plug in my ipod, it wants to restore it and asks me which model I have (which you'd think the ipod could tell it itself).
- The first time I ordered it, it never made it to my place. Almost a month after ordering, I called Amazon and they shipped me another one immediately. Which is great, but it sucks that they don't have a way of knowing that I never got it, except for me digging through their site to finally find a way to complain.
Really they haven't done anything new with this thing. If I could buy another second generation model instead, I would. I loved how I could scroll the volume down even through the cloth of my pants when it was in my pocket -- now I have to read into my pocket. Why would they make the interface worse over the course of 4 years?
Apple, just because you're trying to push out fancier products now doesn't mean you should cheapen your older lines.
Customer Review: Apple lost a customer to Microsoft Zune-- and I'm the last person I thought would ever switch...
Summary: 3 Stars
I received this 4th generation (RED) nano for Christmas and was thrilled... this was to replace my seriously dated original i pod. From the first day it a big frustration to me-- I actually renamed this i pod "broken heart" because of all the trouble it gave me. Firstly my PowerBook G4 was too old to download the current i tunes software which made me mad... Apple, you want to design stuff to last forever then don't make your newer products compatible with your old? What really got me is that a PC of the same time would have worked with this i pod. *** Disclaimer-- I'm only 25 so this isn't like an "apple is complicated because I'm old and computer illiterate type stuff"****
So, I had to use my husbands new Dell to download i tunes and use with my I pod. Let me tell you this was such a pain in the butt that I finally decided it would be easier to buy a zune and I'm so happy I did.
Reasons to get a 8 GB Zune instead:
1) For 14.99 a month you can get UNLIMITED songs and keep them for as long as you keep up the subscription. Seriously this is the greatest feature-- my husband and I can share the subscription and both use it for this one rate. Buy one CD a month and you will have paid for this service. It is nice!!!
2) Compatible and easy to use. Zune Pass is easy to use and I like the site much better than i tunes.
3) Radio and wireless sharing built in to the zune.
4) I got my husband much cheaper zune accessories for his zune than I could get for my I pod. And, you can use some of your I pod stuff if you use the headphone jack.
Overall, the Zune is not as cute as my nano apple but plug it in and it works. After you get used the the click system it is really simple and I'm glad I switched!!!
Just think about this one point again before you purchase this nano-- UNLIMITED SONGS FOR 14.99 a month--- just mull that over and thank me later.
Customer Review: The Nano's New Features Keep it Fresh
Summary: 5 Stars
The iPod Nano has again been updated and improved, with some very nice new features. I was able to pick up a new Nano and a new iPod Touch at the Apple Store.
Accelerometer Built-In - The new iPod Nano has built in accelerometers like the iPhone and iPod Touch. This allows you to enter "cover-flow," browsing by simple rotating the Nano to the left or right. No longer do you have to navigate through menus to get to cover-flow, just flip the shuffle.
The accelerometer also allows you to "shake to shuffle," which means if you give the nano a strong shake back and forth, it will go to another track and shuffle your mix. However, it does take a fairly significant shake, so running should not trigger this feature, which made me happy. Fun feature. I keep wanting to do this though, so I never get through an entire song. ha.
Some games in the future, for the Nano may also take advantage of the accelerometer according to Apple.
Genius - This is the other new feature. When you are on a song that fits your current mood, hold down the center button. This will bring of a menu, which allows you to select "Genius." That creates a custom playlist intelligently selected based on the track you were listening to. It finds songs that go together. I've been very impressed with the results. It helps you rediscover some of your favorite music.
The iPod Nano is back to a long shape, which many find easier for holding. It also allows the display to sit longways, which helps in menu navigation. The Nano is as thin as ever, and is stunningly gorgeous with the aluminum design and many colors.
Overall, I thought carefully on how to rate thew new Nano. It wasn't an earth-shattering update, but when you actually get to use it, you do appreciate the new features and design. I find it a worthy additional to the iPod Family, and I don't see any problems with it. I'll keep enjoying mine.
Customer Review: Great iPod for Blind/Visually Impaired and Sighted Users Alike!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the 4th Generation iPod Nano for my fiance for the simple fact that is has text-to-speech capability--he is totally blind and was tired of playing iPod roulette with his old Nano.
The text-to-speech feature is wonderful. It voices almost all of the menus, especially the most essential ones, and it speaks clearly and efficiently. The voice is robotic, but I find it charming. ;) It is important to know that you have to install an update into your Nano when you first get it to acquire the text-to-speech feature. A simple search on Google will tell you what to do. I think the text-to-speech feature will prove useful for sighted folks as you will be able to use it while driving without looking down.
I really enjoy the overall design and aesthetics of the Nano itself as well. The display graphics are as a good as my own high grade computer monitor (smaller of course). The features are useful, yet can easily be turned off if needed. I know there have been complaints in the past about the shake-to-shuffle (my fiance loves this feature) and the cover flow (we disabled this feature), but a quick and easy update to the iPod and both have the option to turn them off.
The sound quality of the Nano is great as usual, and the headphones are much better than the headphones Apple has supplied with previous iPods. I think they upgraded the quality prior to the release of this product.
iTunes is still hard for a blind/VI person to use, but after some time my fiance discovered a sequence in iTunes for updating his Nano so now the whole process is as independent for him as it is for me. He has no complaints about this iPod and I'm stoked that Apple is making its technology accessible for people like him.
Customer Review: The best Nano!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The 4th generation Nano reverts to the long skinny design of the 1st and 2nd gen Nanos, with the addition of a 2 inch screen (the same size my 3rd gen 40gb iPod had). The increase in screen size makes watching video clips (which automatically turn to landscape mode) and viewing photos a treat and the resolution is crystal clear.
Another added feature is the accelerometer which makes it act like the iPhone and iPod touch; the screen reverts to "coverflow" mode when the Nano is titled on its side. I must say, it works much better here than it does on the iPod classic where it's an eye catching but useless feature (due to its sluggishness). I also like the way it goes through the alphabets when you scroll fast through coverflow and I wish this could be added to the iPod classic (well, my 160gb one at least).
Another bonus from the accelerometer is that jogging the Nano makes it select songs at random, and there are some games included (like the Maze) which rely on tilting hand motion, pretty cool.
Album cover art (if you have any, that is) fills the screen up while the selected music is playing, and I wish this could be extended to the iPod classic as what we get is a tenny weeny view of the cover. Reading text isn't such a strain on the eyes as one would expect. Sound quality is super, battery life is 24 hours for music and 4 hours for video.
If your music collection isn't too large, or if you want to use your MP3 player while jogging, at the gym, etc (the flash memory can withstand jolts and shock), then the Nano might be for you. It also connects nicely to most of the docks and audio accessories available.
In summary, another winner!!!