iPod New Nano can't play video?!?!

[tigress666]

Well firstly, I don't actually want any kind of nano. I'm just annoyed about the sheer number of features apple thought they can trade off in favour of making it smaller. What the hell is apples obsession with making it smaller, it doesn't make it any more useful/practical and don't tell me everyones gonna wear it on their wrist or clipped to clothing.

Yeah, I was kinda disappointed the new Nano can't play video and they took out the external speaker. Not like I was looking forward to getting a Nano anyway. My iPhone 4 is all I need to carry around. But the concept of it being a watch sounds cool and I like to have those options even if the screen is so small.

I will wait for next year's model and see if I will consider finally getting one. Hoping Nano 7 gets an external speaker, a slighter bigger screen, and perhaps even the video recorder back. The concept of a watch has so much potential, but I feel Apple took a step forward, and then many steps back by taking away last year's features. I can wait. The Nano might help reignite me at wearing a watch again. Just not this year's model.

I wonder, how many of you who don't see the point of the new Nano, actually wanted a Nano in the first place?

I really get the feeling those disappointed were hoping for a cheaper ipod touch. It makes a lot of sense that Apple isn't aiming it at those people, why would they want to make a product to compete with their most expensive product? It makes more sense to aim this product at a different demographic. Point being I am betting those disappointed with the Nano weren't the market Apple is aiming for anyways (sorry guys).

Mainly the market of people who would buy a Nano over a Touch (or in addition to a Touch) is those who just want a music player. Not a video player, not a video taker, just a music player and need it to be small and easy to take with them with just having pockets (or less) to carry it in.

The new ipod nano is going to be great for somethign like that, it's original purpose. A small music player that is easy to take with you when you work out, walk, ride a motorcycle, or do other activities that you really just need the music player for. And yes, size is important here, it's the thing that makes it better for those kind of activities than a touch. All the thigns people are whining about it not having? Those are things the touch has and does it *better* than the nano so why would you buy the nano in the first place if that is what you want?

Now, I will put a disclaimer here. If apple has the nano stop supporting the headphone remote than yes, they shouldn't have gotten rid of the clickwheel. It does need some sort of way of controlling it that you do not have to look at the player to use the controls. If they removed that support and did this, yeah, they made a big mistake with the new nano.

And don't tell me get a shuffle. I like still having a screen to select my music (when I'm walking or on an airplane) plus the memory they give the shuffle is ridiculous (even I can't put my whole music collection on that and it's not like mine is that big). The only reason at this point I even see to having a shuffle in their line up is to have a very cheap entry point (the best move they did with the shuffle this update is making it 50 bux).

 

[dragonq]

Six weeks ago, I bought my eleven year old a 5G nano for her birthday. I personally didn't like it much, but it wasn't for me anyway. I am now glad I bought her that model because she loves playing around with the video feature, filming her pets and friends, and watching the snippets of video on the screen.

I also wanted a new nano for myself, because while I love my Nano 3G, the 8 GB size is just a little bit small. However, I disliked the elongated shape of both Nano 4 and 5 and held off in both instances. The 5G screens make them just a bit too long (also hate the sharp ends), and while I do occasionally look at photos on my iPod, the video feature is something I never use. In contrast, the new 6G model is smaller and cheaper, and will no doubt do a good job of what I really want an iPod for--playing music and audiobooks. I have just ordered one for myself, and am looking forward to receiving it.

So I suppose it is a a bit of a case of what suits the individual. If you want video, you now have to buy an iPod Touch, which will do a better job for you, anyway. If like me, you just want to play music and audio, the nano is the way to go.

The market segment where the lack of video will be most keenly felt, I suspect, is amongst kids and teenagers. I would say that fully half of the children in my daughter's class have nanos, and I imagine the ones who get the new one and can't play video will be more disgruntled about that than pleased that it is a fraction of the size. As to whether this will translate to lost sales, I don't know. The kids will want something, and if that's what's available to buy, that's what's available.

It's fairly obvious that the iPod Touch is now the flagship iPod. The nanos, like the shuffles, are almost becoming consumables.

 

[tigerstorm]

5th gen nano not small enough?

Do you guys spend your day in speedos, or some of you have exceptionally tiny hands? I never once thought to myself "gee, wish my nano can be smaller!" adding a clip would be a nice update to the 5th gen nanos, shrinking it to the point you can't even operate by one hand is just sad.

I watched it on my third generation (before I got my iphone) and then promptly didn't cause the only time I'd really need that is on a plane and I had my laptop to watch video on with a much better screen. My nano is mainly used when I am walking my dog, excercising, riding my motorcycle. All things that size is completley more important than being able to watch video.

And now, even if I didn't have a laptop, I could much easier watch video/movies on my iphone (or really any smartphone).

Video is not what is going to keep the nano selling enough to justify keeping it around. Apple knew that and sacrificed it.

It's a product for people who need portability, not tons of functionality. If you need tons of functionality, get the touch. It will do all those functions much better than the nano (and honestly is not that much bigger than the fifth generation. I mean if I had to have one ipod and didn't have an iphone, that's what I'd get. Shoot, the only reason the nano has any advantage to me enough to even keep it around is the fact that it's small. The iphone could serve my purposes I use the nano for, but the nano is superior for those purposes solely cause it is smaller so fits in a pocket better).

 

[tigerstorm]

Hmm, I'm sorry that the 6th gen nano is the first music player that allows you to work out, walk, or ride a motorcycle! All other previous gen nano users must all are bedridden or amputees.

Btw, you are not supposed to ride motorcycle with ANY music players plugged in your ears, if you care about your own and other people's well being. Perhaps a tricycle next time?

I wonder, how many of you who don't see the point of the new Nano, actually wanted a Nano in the first place?

I really get the feeling those disappointed were hoping for a cheaper ipod touch. It makes a lot of sense that Apple isn't aiming it at those people, why would they want to make a product to compete with their most expensive product? It makes more sense to aim this product at a different demographic. Point being I am betting those disappointed with the Nano weren't the market Apple is aiming for anyways (sorry guys).

Mainly the market of people who would buy a Nano over a Touch (or in addition to a Touch) is those who just want a music player. Not a video player, not a video taker, just a music player and need it to be small and easy to take with them with just having pockets (or less) to carry it in.

The new ipod nano is going to be great for somethign like that, it's original purpose. A small music player that is easy to take with you when you work out, walk, ride a motorcycle, or do other activities that you really just need the music player for. And yes, size is important here, it's the thing that makes it better for those kind of activities than a touch. All the thigns people are whining about it not having? Those are things the touch has and does it *better* than the nano so why would you buy the nano in the first place if that is what you want?

Now, I will put a disclaimer here. If apple has the nano stop supporting the headphone remote than yes, they shouldn't have gotten rid of the clickwheel. It does need some sort of way of controlling it that you do not have to look at the player to use the controls. If they removed that support and did this, yeah, they made a big mistake with the new nano.

And don't tell me get a shuffle. I like still having a screen to select my music (when I'm walking or on an airplane) plus the memory they give the shuffle is ridiculous (even I can't put my whole music collection on that and it's not like mine is that big). The only reason at this point I even see to having a shuffle in their line up is to have a very cheap entry point (the best move they did with the shuffle this update is making it 50 bux).

 

[tigress666]

Do you guys spend your day in speedos, or some of you have exceptionally tiny hands? I never once thought to myself "gee, wish my nano can be smaller!" adding a clip would be a nice update to the 5th gen nanos, shrinking it to the point you can't even operate by one hand is just sad.

The two things I use my Nano for (well, I also use it to listen to music on the plane but an ipod touch would be fine for that) is walking my dog and riding my motorcycle.

The fifth gen ipod is awkward cause if it sits wrong in your pocket, it pokes into your leg when you walk. My 3rd gen was way superior for this (despite being slightly heavier but at the size the nano is you're really not going to notice those kind of weight differences). Also, the fifth gen doesn't fit so well in this small pocket on my motorcycle vest, the best place for me to be placing my Nano for when I'm listening while riding.

I like the newest nano mainly cause it fixes the form problem I have with the fifth gen (which is dealable but still a think an unimprovement over my 3rd gen) while keeping the stuff I found I really liked about the fifth gen over my third gen. And pretty much what it got rid of is stuff I find unimportant in the nano anyways. All but the clickwheel complaints (which I think is solved by the headphone remote) are complaints from people who should be buying the touch anyways if that is what is important to them.

I assume when people exercise they aren't wearing too much clothing and yes, the size/shape of the fifth gen (and probably most other nanos save the third) really doesn't sit in the pocket well for that. And usually when you are excercising you aren't carrying a pouch or something to place it in. The iphone I have sits heavier in the pocket and also tends to stick into my leg which is why I find the nano is not redundant (along with having physical buttons but the newest nano supports the remote which I like over the clickwheel anyways) even though I pretty much have a ipod touch/iphone.

Oh, and for your jibe about not listening to my ipod when I ride... it's perfectly legal in my state (and I have a helmet that has speakers in it so I'm not actually listening to headphones that block my hearing). And do you not listen to the radio when you drive? I hope with that attitude you don't cause obviously otherwise you are a hypocrite and should be aiming that at yourself as well.

 

[tigerstorm]

yes yes, guilty as charged, I do listen to very loud music while driving, so I should't make fun of you

I did struggle as to where to keep my 5th gen nano when run on treadmill, hence I applaud the addition of a clip in the new nano, I do wish for some kind of tactile feedback, and the ability to change songs without looking. The remote is not an option unless someone release a very short one.

You description of the problems bring up a lot amusing imagery that I am having a lot good time with, so please excuse me for sounding sarcastic, I'm warming up to this device a little, but I would think it's a psychology issue as if apple releases it as ShufflePlus, it"ll be much better received. Nano is basically killed off, but they might bring it back with more juice or bigger touch screen if the sales are poor got this one.

Hope you will enjoy your rides and doggie walks more with the new device, just please be safe

The two things I use my Nano for (well, I also use it to listen to music on the plane but an ipod touch would be fine for that) is walking my dog and riding my motorcycle.

The fifth gen ipod is awkward cause if it sits wrong in your pocket, it pokes into your leg when you walk. My 3rd gen was way superior for this (despite being slightly heavier but at the size the nano is you're really not going to notice those kind of weight differences). Also, the fifth gen doesn't fit so well in this small pocket on my motorcycle vest, the best place for me to be placing my Nano for when I'm listening while riding.

I like the newest nano mainly cause it fixes the form problem I have with the fifth gen (which is dealable but still a think an unimprovement over my 3rd gen) while keeping the stuff I found I really liked about the fifth gen over my third gen. And pretty much what it got rid of is stuff I find unimportant in the nano anyways. All but the clickwheel complaints (which I think is solved by the headphone remote) are complaints from people who should be buying the touch anyways if that is what is important to them.

I assume when people exercise they aren't wearing too much clothing and yes, the size/shape of the fifth gen (and probably most other nanos save the third) really doesn't sit in the pocket well for that. And usually when you are excercising you aren't carrying a pouch or something to place it in. The iphone I have sits heavier in the pocket and also tends to stick into my leg which is why I find the nano is not redundant (along with having physical buttons but the newest nano supports the remote which I like over the clickwheel anyways) even though I pretty much have a ipod touch/iphone.

Oh, and for your jibe about not listening to my ipod when I ride... it's perfectly legal in my state (and I have a helmet that has speakers in it so I'm not actually listening to headphones that block my hearing). And do you not listen to the radio when you drive? I hope with that attitude you don't cause obviously otherwise you are a hypocrite and should be aiming that at yourself as well.

 

[tigress666]

yes yes, guilty as charged, I do listen to very loud music while driving, so I should't make fun of you

I did struggle as to where to keep my 5th gen nano when run on treadmill, hence I applaud the addition of a clip in the new nano, I do wish for some kind of tactile feedback, and the ability to change songs without looking. The remote is not an option unless someone release a very short one.

You description of the problems bring up a lot amusing imagery that I am having a lot good time with, so please excuse me for sounding sarcastic, I'm warming up to this device a little, but I would think it's a psychology issue as if apple releases it as ShufflePlus, it"ll be much better received. Nano is basically killed off, but they might bring it back with more juice or bigger touch screen if the sales are poor got this one.

Hope you will enjoy your rides and doggie walks more with the new device, just please be safe

Ah, I don't have the money for the new device and I just got the fifth gen. So I'll comfort myself with the fact it does video and hte new one doesn't to get myself over it. Just the realistic side of me says the new one is better for my purposes (and I can easily see why Apple got rid of the stuff they did honestly).

As for the clickwheel, without the remote I do think it would be bad to have the nano not have physical buttons. But, honestly, one of the big things I like about my fifth gen over my 3rd gen (something I was starting to even warm up to liking my iphone as an ipod cause it supported that my third gen didn't) was the remote. It's just easier to tell it to fast forward/rewind then to try to figure out where on the click wheel is forward/reverse/menu/play. I don't have to feel around to figure out what orientation my device is in to be able to figure out what button is what. And that's why I think the remote is superior to the clickwheel anyways. Plus, when walking the dog in the rain I'd have rain pants over my pants that my ipod was in (protecting the ipod from rain) and I hated having to reach under my rain pants to control the ipod. I always wondered what that looked like to anyone who saw me walking .

 

[gkarris]

Well, they put the buttons back on the shuffle...

Request video playback here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodnano.html

I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a firmware update...

 

[anthorumor]

teens love watching video on the 5th gen ipod, but the added strength was that that nano had a video camera.

i think this nano will sell well despite the set backs as not everyone can afford a touch even though they really should!

 

[Peterson8765]

The nano 5G's screen is still a tad too small for watching video at a suitable length of time but it gets the job done, if it's screen was 2.4-2.6" in the 5G nano it would be awesome. Now that Apple has completely gotten rid of video in the iPod line unless you buy a $229 touch or $249 classic is just ridiculous. People liked to watch videos and movies on their nano's, I know I did. The nano is just a flop in my eyes. My 2 cents.

 

[GL2]

Well firstly, I don't actually want any kind of nano. I'm just annoyed about the sheer number of features apple thought they can trade off in favour of making it smaller. What the hell is apples obsession with making it smaller, it doesn't make it any more useful/practical and don't tell me everyones gonna wear it on their wrist or clipped to clothing.

I agree. Jobs is overly obsessed with the aesthetics of Apple's products, to the point that form is more important than function. I'm not really in the market for a nano, but if I were, I would rush out and buy one of the outgoing generation.

 

[BrennerM]

Why does everyone assume that the new Nano will not have some way of changing songs without looking at the screen? They could use tap or swipe gestures that would work just fine. At this point I don't think we can reliably say whether that is or is not an issue.

 

[Shawnstra]

The new Nano doesn't have the instant sex appeal that all others Apple products have, the rounded bezel seems awkward next to the square aluminum frame.

However, having said that, I think that marketing the iPod Nano as a video capable device is a misstep. It's totally not in Apple's blood to offer a substandard experience, and viewing video even on the previous Nano's screen is very uncomfortable with the small screen.

Therefore, I kinda like how Apple is changing its philosophy with the new Nano, making it more focused on just music. +Album art looks gorgeous on the new Nano!

 

[emptyCup]

What a step backwards!

No, all the steps now lead to the Touch, the direction sales have been moving anyway.

If you like watching video on your nano then be glad you have one that does it. People who just want audio now have two choices: the Shuffle for those who want the lowest price and don't need a screen and the Nano for those who want a screen and are willing to pay for it.

The iPod Touch is the iPod's future. Apple is very good at predicting the future.

 

[grahamnp]

Cons
- slower navigation (not much room to swipe)
- no capacity bump
- no video
- no camera

Pros
- volume button
- clip
- smaller

Yea... totally worth it.

 

[ConnorTurnbull]

I'd sure like video, but my ultra-portable iPad (and soon, iPhone 4) can do the job a lot better!

 

[125037]

I haven't read through this thread so I don't know what any of the responses have been. But as I have stated in another thread... If it was a feature that I personally used often, I would probably be upset too. However, let's be real... how many active Nano users actually play video on their device on a daily basis?

 

[tigress666]

Cons
- slower navigation (not much room to swipe)

Slower? How can you be sure? Have you played with one? Have you noticed they have the little a-z bar on the right like the touch (which I find is completely faster than the click wheel cause you can tell it to go right where you want to go, just hit on the alphabet bar around where your song should be, not keep scrolling til you get there). I admit, I'm wondering how well it will work on a screen that small, but I'm not going to outright write it off before I even play with it (cause yeah, screen is small, but I also know my iphone is really good at knowing what I am pointing at, even when it's really small, so I am thinking that it may surprise people that it is easier than they suspect to navigate on that small screen).

I haven't read through this thread so I don't know what any of the responses have been. But as I have stated in another thread... If it was a feature that I personally used often, I would probably be upset too. However, let's be real... how many active Nano users actually play video on their device on a daily basis?

Exactly. But let's not bring logic into this discussion. Most of these people complaining would be better served by a touch and yet for some reason insist that the nano should sacrifice stuff it should be good at (small and easily portable) so they can have features it won't do so well (and if you don't caer that much about size, the touch really isn't that much bigger than the fifth gen Nano and will do video far far better).

Really what they need to realize is that they would be better off buying a touch anyways if the stuff the nano leaves out is that important to him (regardless if the nano had video or not now since the touch does have a video camera now, probably better than what the nano had).

Really, I think the only real complaint about the nano from people who it is more aimed at (and not people who can't realize they should just buy a touch) is worries about how quick it will be to navigate (particularly without looking. I'm not too worried about that as I like the remote on the headphones better and the new nano supports that). And the concern I addressed above which I suspect the touch screen, despite being so small, will still be less frustrating to scroll through songs and menus than the scroll wheel (particularly the small sized one on the fifth gen which was really annoying to try to just move up one menu or down cause the clicks were so close together).

 

[witherwings]

iPod Nano 6G = iPod Shuffle with small screen