iPod Nano

iPod Nano

4th Generation iPod Nano
Manufacturer	Apple Inc.
Type	Portable media player
Retail availability	Since September 7 2005
Media	Flash memory from 1 to 16 GB (currently 8 and 16 GB)
Operating system	1.3.1 (1st Generation) 1.1.3 (2nd Generation) 1.1.3 (3rd Generation) 1.0.3 (4th Generation)
Power	Lithium ion battery
Display	176x132 1.5" color LCD (1G/2G) 320x240 2" color LCD 3G 240x320 2" color LCD 4G
Input	Click wheel
Connectivity	Dock connector USB 2.0
Predecessor	iPod Mini
Related articles	iPod Classic iPod Shuffle iPod Touch

The iPod Nano (marketed lowercase as iPod nano) is a portable media player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the midrange model in Apple's iPod family. The first generation was introduced in 2005.^[1] It uses flash memory, like the iPod Shuffle, but with a 2-inch (diagonal) QVGA display and the "click wheel" found on the iPod Classic. The model has been updated three times since its introduction. Shortly after release, the iPod Nano became the highest-selling MP3 player in history, being more successful than its discontinued sibling, the iPod Mini.

Features

Instead of the hard disk which is used in the iPod Classic, the Nano uses flash memory. This means there are no moving parts, making the iPod Nano resistant to hard disk failure due to sudden movement.

The iPod Nano works with iTunes on Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows (third-party software is available for platforms that Apple does not support, such as Linux^[2]). It connects to the computer via the same proprietary dock connector as all models since the iPod 3rd Generation (with the exception of the iPod Shuffle), using USB 2.0. The iPod Nano does not support syncing over FireWire, but the first three generations can be charged via FireWire.^[3] The iPod Nano includes a stop watch and a multiple time zone clock function. There is also a combination lock feature that makes use of the click wheel to lock the iPod, and serves to secure the user's calendar and contact information as well as the volume limit function.

Like previous iPod models, the first and second generation iPod Nano include some pre-installed games: Brick, Music Quiz, Parachute, and Solitaire. The third generation iPod Nano includes pre-installed games, but can also run games which Apple makes available for purchase in the iTunes Store. The three pre-installed games are variations on the Brick, Solitaire, and Music Quiz games found in the first and second-generation iPod Nanos. Brick is now called Vortex and there is now a circular playing field. Solitaire is now called Klondike with minimal differences. Music Quiz now includes Movie and TV Show trivia along with a more aesthetically pleasing look. The fourth generation also includes Maze, which uses that model's accelerometer to move a ball around to try and collect glowing orbs.^[4]

Unlike the preceding iPod Mini, its battery is soldered to the printed circuit board of the device, making it harder to replace manually,^[5] although replacement batteries are readily available. The flash memory chips used are surface mount devices, making any attempt to upgrade the Nano's storage capacity impractical.

The lack of the remote connector found on the top of many previous models means that a number of third-party accessories do not work with the iPod Nano; newer versions using the dock connector have been made. The first generation iPod Nano did not support voice recording; the second and third generation Nanos function with third-party recording attachments.^[6] It did not function with either Apple's iPod Camera Connector or other camera connectors from third-party manufacturers.^[7]

Models

Generation	Image	Capacity	Colors	Connection	Original release date	Minimum OS to sync	Rated battery life (hours)	Screen (pixels)	Physical Size	Weight
1		1 GB	Black White	USB (FireWire for charging only)	February 7, 2006	Mac: 10.3 Windows: 2000	Audio: 14 Slideshow: 4	176 x 132 .168-mm dot pitch	3.5 in 1.6 in 0.27 in	1.5 oz
		2 GB 4 GB			September 7, 2005
		Replaced Mini. Color screen for picture viewing; 1 GB version released later.
2		2 GB	Silver	USB (FireWire for charging only)	September 12, 2006	Mac: 10.3 Windows: 2000	Audio: 24 Slideshow: 5	176 x 132 .168-mm dot pitch	3.5 in 1.6 in 0.26 in	1.41 oz
		4 GB	Silver Blue Green Pink Red
		8 GB	Black Red
		Anodized aluminum casing with plastic top and bottom; 6 colors available.
3		4 GB	Silver	USB (FireWire for charging only)	September 5, 2007	Mac: 10.4 Windows: XP, Vista	Audio: 24 Video: 5	320 x 240 204 ppi	2.75 in 2.06 in 0.26 in	1.74 oz
		8 GB	Silver Blue Green Pink Black Red
		2" QVGA screen; lighter color shades and chrome back; new interface; video capability.
4		4 GB (Limited) 8 GB 16 GB	Silver Black Purple Blue Green Yellow Orange Red Pink	USB (FireWire not supported)	September 9, 2008	Mac: 10.4.11, 10.5 Windows: XP, Vista	Audio: 24 Video: 4	240 x 320 204 ppi	3.6 in 1.5 in 0.24 in	1.3 oz
		Curved enclosure and new colors; revised interface; voice recording features; "shake to shuffle"; accelerometer, 4 GB "Limited Release" in selected markets.[8]

First generation

Black first-generation iPod Nano.

Advertising emphasized the iPod Nano's small size: it is 1.6 in (40 mm) width, 3.5 in (90 mm) length, 0.27 in (6.9 mm) thick and weighs 1.5 ounces (42 grams). Its stated battery life is up to 14 hours. The screen is 176x132 pixels, 1.5 in (38 mm) diagonal, and can display 65,536 colors (16-bit color).^[1]

History

Development work on the design of the iPod Nano started only nine months before its launch date.^[9] The Nano was launched in two colors (black and white) with two available sizes: 2 GB (roughly 500 songs) for US$199 and 4 GB (1000 songs) for US$249.^[1] On February 7 2006, Apple updated the lineup with the 1 GB model (240 songs) sold at US$149.^[10] Apple also released some accessories, including armbands and silicone "tubes" designed to bring color to the Nano and protect it from scratches, as well as a combination lanyard-earphone accessory that hangs around the neck, and avoids the problem of tangling earphone cords.

Endurance

Testing by technology-enthusiast website Ars Technica has shown that even after being sat on, dropped by a jogger, dropped four times from a car moving at various speeds, then being driven over twice by the car, and finally dropped from nine feet onto concrete, the unit's screen was damaged but it could still play music. The unit finally stopped playing music after being thrown 40 feet (12 m) into the air and landing on concrete.^[11]

Electronics

The iPod Nano uses general-purpose integrated circuits (IC) instead of smaller, low-cost custom-developed chips, possibly to reduce time-to-market. This design, however, increases the number of electronic components and increases the cost. Japanese engineers estimated the component cost of the 2 GB Nano as between JP¥22,000 and JP¥27,000 (US$185-US$227), which was high compared to the retail price of JP¥21,800 (US$183) at the time. The cost of 2 GB NAND flash memory was about JP¥14,000 (US$118). Apple also opted for the 0603 (1.6x0.8 mm) surface mount technology which was just beginning widespread use in mobile phones in 2005.^[12] The iPod Nano uses a PortalPlayer PP5021C "system on a chip" with dual embedded 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.^[13]

Consumer reactions

The first generation iPod Nano packaging.

The size of the package was reduced 50% with the introduction of the second generation.^[14] The third generation uses larger but otherwise similar packaging.

The initial consumer response to the iPod Nano was overwhelmingly positive and sales were heavy.^[15] The Nano sold its first million units in only 17 days, helping Apple to a record billion-dollar profit in 2005.^[16]

Apple's release of the iPod Nano as a replacement for the iPod Mini was viewed by many as a risky move.^[17] Steve Jobs has argued that the iPod Nano was a necessary risk since competitors were beginning to catch up to the iPod Mini in terms of design and features, and believed the iPod Nano would prove to be even more popular and successful than the iPod Mini.

Within days of the Nano's release, some users reported damage to the Nano, suggesting that the LCD screen had become so scratched that it was unreadable, even when the backlight was on. Many have reported fine scratches on their Nano caused by microfiber cloths. Other owners reported that their Nano's screen cracked with no provocation.^[18] On September 27, 2005, Apple confirmed a small percentage ("less than 1/10 of 1 percent") of iPod Nanos shipped with a faulty screen and agreed to replace any Nanos with cracked screens, but denied the iPod Nano was more susceptible to scratching than prior iPods.^[19] Apple started shipping iPod Nanos with a protective sleeve to protect them from scratches. In October 2005, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple, with the plaintiffs seeking reimbursement for the device, legal fees, and "unlawful or illegal profits" from sales of the iPod Nano. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claim that the devices "scratch excessively during normal usage, rendering the screen on the Nanos unreadable, and violating state consumer protection statutes".^[20] Similar lawsuits were later filed in Mexico and the United Kingdom.^[21] Some commentators such as BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl have criticized the lawsuits. Hesseldahl dismissed them as "stupid" and suggested that they benefitted "no one but the trial lawyers," but also suggested that Apple could have avoided litigation by offering "full refunds on unwanted Nanos" instead of charging a re-stocking fee and lengthening the return period from 14 days (when purchased through Apple retail or online) to 30 or 60 days.^[22]

Incidents

In Australia, an iPod Nano flamed up while being charged on a PC.^[23][24] Since the limited warranty was over, the consumer was not able to get a replacement right away.

Another iPod incident happened in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport while a man was working in the airport.^[25] His iPod Nano set his pants on fire. Apple Inc. refused to release a statement regarding this issue.

In addition, an iPod Nano sparked in Japan in January while it was still recharging.^[26] Although no one was injured during the incident, Apple Inc. is currently investigating it.^[27] It was reported on 19 August 2008 that 17 incidents of abnormal overheating with 1st-generation iPod Nano units while recharging had been reported in Japan, including cases in which tatami mats had been charred. ^[28]

Second generation

The second generation iPod Nano, in Product Red.

On September 12, 2006, Apple updated the Nano line. The second-generation Nano features scratch-resistant, anodized aluminum casing like the earlier Mini's design; the multiple color choices (silver, green, pink, blue, and black) mirror that of the Mini as well. However, unlike the second-generation Mini, the button labels do not match the color of the Nano. Instead, they are gray, like the first-generation Mini, except for the black iPod which has a black click wheel. The second-generation Nano features "a brighter, more vibrant display",^[29] a battery life upgrade (from 14 to 24 hours), and doubled storage sizes with the new 2, 4, and 8 GB models (compared to the previous 1, 2, and 4 GB models). The second generation iPod Nanos also support gapless playback of audio files, a new search option, and a 40% brighter screen. The 2 GB model is available in silver only. The 4 GB was initially available in green, blue, silver, or pink. The 8 GB model was initially only available in black but Product Red was later added. Apple claims that the second generation iPod Nano's packaging is "32% lighter and uses 52% less volume than the first generation",^[30] thereby reducing environmental impact and shipping cost at the same time.

On October 13, 2006, Apple announced a special edition iPod Nano Product Red, with a red exterior and 4 GB of storage. For each red iPod Nano sold in the United States, Apple donates US$10 to the Product Red initiative, while retaining the regular price of US$199.^[31] On November 3, 2006, Apple introduced a red 8 GB model, due to "outstanding customer demand", while also retaining the US$249 price point of the black model with an equally large storage capacity.^[32]

Endurance

Ars Technica conducted similar tests on the second generation Nano as they did on the first generation. In their tests, the screen did not last as long; although the Nano kept working, its screen was damaged after one hard drop on concrete. A subsequent trip through a washing machine also failed to destroy it, although it did require two days to dry before returning to full operational standards.^[33]

Third generation

A black 8 GB third generation iPod Nano.

Apple updated the Nano again on September 5, 2007. The third-generation Nano features a 2-inch (51 mm) QVGA (320×240) screen and a shorter, wider, heavier design, with new colors. New features include browsing via Cover Flow, a new user interface, video playback, and support for new iPod Games. Users must repurchase games bought before a month prior to the debut of the new iPod as they are not supported. The Nano was announced in a 4 GB version at US$149 (UK£99.99) coming only in silver, and an 8 GB version at US$199 (UK£129.99) coming in silver, turquoise, mint green, black and Product Red. The battery lasts for approx. 24 hours on audio playback and approx. 5 hours on video playback. On January 22, 2008, Apple released a pink version of the 8 GB iPod Nano.

Combining elements from previous generations of the iPod Nano, the third-generation Nano has an aluminum front plate and a stainless steel back plate. The Nano also sports a new Minimalistic hold switch, similar to the iPod Shuffle's power switch, which has been moved to the bottom of the player. The 2-inch (51 mm) screen has the smallest dot pitch of any Apple product, having the same pixel count as the 2.5-inch (64 mm) display of the iPod Classic.

On October 6, 2007, Apple released a firmware update (1.0.2) via iTunes that is said to improve Cover Flow and yield faster menu navigation.^[34] The update was also released for the iPod Classic. On November 28, 2007, Apple released another firmware update (1.0.3) via iTunes, which included unspecified bugfixes. January 15, 2008 saw the release of version 1.1, which added support for iTunes movie rentals, music song lyrics support and included more unspecified bugfixes. In May 2008, Apple released update version 1.1.2. In July 2008, Apple released update 1.1.3.

Fourth generation

Fourth-generation iPod Nano

At the Apple Let's Rock Event on September 9, 2008, the iPod Nano 4th Generation was officially announced^[35]. It returns to the narrow form factor of the 1st and 2nd Generation model, while retaining and rotating the 2-inch (51 mm) screen from the 3G model. It is also thinner than both the 2G and 3G, measuring 90.7 mm (3.6 inches) tall by 38.7 mm (1.5 inches) wide by 6.2 mm (0.24 inch) thick, and weighing 36.8 grams (1.3 ounces). It has a curved aluminum shell and glass screen.

The six previous colors (silver, charcoal, mint, turquoise, berry red, and rose pink) have been replaced by silver, black, purple, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red, and pink. Apple markets the new colors as "nano-chromatic". Also added is an accelerometer which allows the Nano to switch between portrait and landscape display modes by tilting the iPod left or right, shuffle songs when shaken, and access Cover Flow when tilted sideways. Videos, however, can only be played in landscape mode. The UI has also been refreshed, adding a more stylized look in keeping with the new hardware design. It includes a new voice recording feature which starts automatically when an Apple compatible microphone is plugged in. It also includes the new "Genius" feature, introduced by Apple the same day. The Genius feature automatically creates playlists based on a selected song using an algorithm built by Apple.

It is additionally touted as "the most environmentally friendly iPod Apple has ever made", containing arsenic-free glass and a BFR-, mercury-, and PVC-free design. It is also claimed to be highly recyclable. The iPod Nano 4G is shipped in cases similar to the 2G ones with the clear view in the front, and is marketed in two models: 8 GB and 16 GB. Limited quantities of an unannounced 4 GB model have surfaced in various markets^[8][36].

Timeline of compact iPod models

See also: Template:Timeline of iPod models and Template:Timeline of full-size iPod models

See also

• Nike+iPod

References

External links

• Apple: iPod nano