As you might have heard or read, Apple is releasing the latest generation of its iPod devices. We’ve already seen what new iPod Touch 4G will be capable of, and now next on our list is, what I think the most drastic change / improvement – the new sixth generation iPod Nano.
Though it may seem abit harsh to decide to buy or not to buy the new iPod Nano just on the quality of its video camera, the folks at NewTeeVee have just done a comparison with a Flip camcorder to see what the differences are. I suppose these days, we all what to compare and get the most out of every pence we spend! One problem with this comparison though, they haven’t mentioned which Flip they’ve used just “SD” so it could be Mino or Ultra.
“Overall — the Flip offered a MUCH better picture both indoor and out, providing way more detail in the image. The Flip microphone was also a little more discerning in our test, able to distinguish our subject’s voice in a crowded room much better than the Nano.”
We definitely believe Apple is going somewhere with this new release of iPod Nano. While the new iPod Touch doesn’t boast a camera, the new iPod Nano does, so I guess the rumors were half correct in the end…
The new iPod Nano has an improved screen, and will be available in 8GB and 16GB. Its latest component, the video camera, we think will bring Apple much closer to the likes of portable video camcorders like Flip. Otherwise, its design hasn’t had too much of a makeover.
Although I’m not certain how many will Apple fans will appreciate and support this idea but it seems Hardmac, the English-language version of France’s MacBidouille thinks the iPhone maker will soon be putting up a new line up of iPod Touch and iPod Nano players later this September with a camera like that of the iPhone.
Yes a camera can be handy from time to time, but this isn’t really a function thats popular among portable music players. You can also argue that there aren’t many users with iPods that don’t also have a mobile phone with a camera.
It’s believed to be the world’s only pink iPhone 3G, it was just sold on ebay auction today for GBP 400. However, it’s uncertain whether it’s an OEM job or made to appear as if it’s OEM. This could be a good idea if Apple were to mass produce a wide range of colours for the iPhone, it will certainly attract more female users and possibly to boost sales.
Check out this iPod Nano case, it comes with a handy notepad within but actually the design makes it a great way to hide away or disguise your iPod too. The case is made of leather and features the notepad on one side and the holder for the iPod on the other side. There’s a hole for the earphones at the bottom and you will be able to access all the controls while your player sits safely inside the case.
The latest ‘Apple In-Ear Headphones’ released by Apple recently includes both a remote and microphone. It has been designed for superior acoustic accuracy, balance and clarity. Unlike ordinary headphones, each earpiece of Apple In-Ear Headphones contains two separate high-performance drivers. Though we haven’t had a chance to test it ourselves, hopefully this means improvement over the original, rather ordinary Apple earphones that came with iPods / iPhones.
They currently cost $79 and from Apple’s official description it seems they’re not suggesting that it would be compatible with the iPhone (however, read the full review from Gizmodo via the link below to see why we think it probably will support it):
The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), and iPod touch (2nd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models.
Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 for iPod touch (2nd generation).
Here’s the verdict from Gizmodo:
After a history of offering lackluster earbuds, Apple has come through with a product that sounds really good and is reasonably priced, all things considered. The balanced sound and dual drivers makes all the difference in the quality factor. While not necessarily thumpy, the bass has a nice resonance without drowning out many of the high end intricacies found in jazz or electronic music. The midrange audio is relatively flat and doesn’t overpower your ears, which is nice because it allows the high end noises to really stand out, letting you hear things you don’t get from your car or computer speakers.
As far as remote capabilities go, I tested the Apple In-ear headphones with an iPhone 3G and a first gen iPod touch (neither of which are officially supported. As Apple claims, the audio works fine with both devices. Neither the remote or the mic work with the iPod touch 1G at all, merely reducing it to a pair of headphones. On the iPhone 3G, you can’t use the volume. You can still play/pause a song, answer/end a call, change tracks and make use of the microphone. But all of those work perfectly fine on the iPhone.
Overall, the Apple In-Ear Headphones are a quality product at a fairly reasonable price. They sound great, and work as expected. That said, unless you really need a remote on your headphones (or just want to show the world you’re a card-carrying member of the Cult of Apple), there are still a couple of better values out there. Still, Apple’s latest headphone offering is not a bad choice.
For more info and the full review, we recommend visiting Gizmodo for the full review, linke below…
[via Gizmodo]
