The NEW 2nd Generation iPod nano!

WOW! I have a chance to get my hand onto the latest iPod nano 2nd generation! The reviewing iPod nano will be a silver colour 2GB iPod nano. Would you look at that packaging! It's HHHHHHHHECTIC!!!! The top of the clear case shows the capacity of the iPod, and the BIG "iPod nano" with the apple logo is marked on the side. Once opened, inside the case there is an USB 2.0 cable, a set of earphones, a dock adaptor thinggy, a quick starting guide and a sheet of two tiny apple logo stickers! But wait... no iTunes software come with it as the package won't fit a CD! I think they assume everyone should be able to find iTunes online now. Well, a wiser idea for them would be putting the latest iTunes software actually on the iPod nano itself as all the user would have access to the computer anyway. Maybe do something like: just plug it in, and then suggest the user to install the software automatically, or open it from a folder manually?










I have also included what the packaging of the first generation of iPod nano looks like for comparison here. The original iPod package is about the size of a CD case so that it can fit the iTunes installation CD inside.

The new iPod nano is actually looks quite like a "mini" version of the iPod mini, isn't it funny?! Here I have actually compared the noticable differences between the newer generation of iPod nano with the original. Besides the obvious colour different (the original comparing here is a black 2GB version) The feel of the material is also different. Where the original is glossy feel on both the front and back, the new version is more of an aluminium matte material which does not leave any fingerprint marks as the original does. Even the touch-scrolling pad is made of different materials. In terms of scrolling sensitivity, it's about the same.

On the far left photo shows the "Hold" switch at the top and the connector ports at the bottom. The other photo shows the back and it's clear that this new version lacks one good feature - the mirror! You know a guy like myself sometimes do need to use one hehe :)

Also there is an extra logo "please don't throw me into the bin". Well who would really throw their iPod away anyway? Just give them to me :D

Once the new iPod turns on, the screen is indeed much brighter than the previous version; When "dialing" between menu items, the "click" sound is different; There is an extra function called "search" under "Music" which can be used to search songs quicker. However, it is only available to the new iPod nanos and iPod videos, even upgrading the previous iPod nano firmwave to v1.2 still would not get that feature. One odd thing about the new iPod is that under Settings -> About, it is showing a capacity of 1.7GB only, compared to the 1.8GB shown on the original one. Where is that missing 100MB ?!?!?!?!!?!

Finally, as what I normally would do, I held it and took a photo to show its approximate size.

I love this kool product yet again from apple. However, I won't be getting one because I read lyrics off the screen so I will be getting the bigger and new 80G iPod video instead. Hopefully I'll have a review about that soon.