Let's cut to the chase though. We can talk FM radios and pedometers in a bit, but it's the video camera of this iPod nano fifth generation we all want to know about. The first thing to note is that it's in a really bad position - on the back, at the bottom and essentially right where you normally hold it. You cannot grip it like you would any other pocket camcorder and mobile phone unless you just want a stream of dark footage of your index finger.
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Maybe I can just hold my ipod nano 5th generation in an upright position, right?.... hehehe
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Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Additions make new iPod Nano
By Ryan Kim, Chronicle Staff Writer
The iPod Nano fifth generation has been Apple's best-seller, moving 110 million units with its promise of easy music listening in a very slim package.
But Apple believes the era of dedicated devices is waning, and the Nano is a good example of how Apple is evolving its market-leading media players into much more.
The Nano got video playback two years ago and then added voice recording last year with a microphone or special headset.
Now, with the fifth-generation Nano released Wednesday, the slim player sports a video camera, an FM radio, a pedometer and an integrated microphone for voice recording. It's a remarkable feat considering Apple has left the dimensions of this iPod virtually unchanged.
Let's take a look at the additions to the Nano.
The camera offers standard-definition 640x480 video, although it can't do still shots. The lens is built into the back corner along with a small microphone. The 16 GB version can hold up to 16 hours of video.
The video generally looked good, on the order of the standard definition Flip camcorder. The sound quality is decent, although I found it easy to get too close to the microphone, which distorted the sound.
I had more problems just holding the Nano in camera mode. My fingers repeatedly obscured shots and the device is not terribly comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The bulkier Flip fits better in your hand.
The best part about the Nano is the effects the camera applies in real time to video recordings. There are 16 effects that let you stretch or distort images or throw the video into thermal, sepia or X-ray view. My favorite was one called Cyborg, offering a view of what the Terminator sees when it stalks victims.
Getting the video up to YouTube isn't as easy as it is with the Flip, which lets you do easy uploading with its integrated Flipshare software. But with all the cool effects and the ability to take spontaneous video, the Nano should be a major source of YouTube videos, especially from kids.
An iPod radio has been on people's wish list for years and it's finally here. Apple has given the long-awaited feature a twist, building in a 15-minute buffer that allows you to pause a radio feed and listen to anything in that period. You can't save the buffered audio - it just keeps moving along - but it's a nice feature to back up and hear what you might have missed.
The radio also allows you to tag certain tunes so you can remember them or buy them later through iTunes. Though the Nano has a tiny speaker, you won't be able to listen to radio over it because you'll need to plug in the headphones - Apple's or your own ear buds - which act as an antenna for the radio.
A healthy touch
The pedometer is also a welcome touch, especially for health-conscious users. The Nano uses its accelerometer to record your steps and give you a sense of how many calories you've burned off. Though it won't track your distance, I found it was a nice way to chart my activity. It also encouraged me to keep moving.
Better recording
Finally, while the previous Nano had voice recording, you had to use a microphone-equipped headset for it. The latest Nano relies on its integrated microphone to do the trick. It does a good job recording interviews, though you'll want to observe a little distance from the mike for personal memos.
The Nano offers the same storage as its predecessor: 8 and 16 GBs at $149 and $179 respectively. Aside from the new additions, the latest Nano features a slightly larger 2.2-inch screen and five hours of video playback, one more than the previous model.
All in all, Apple has done it again, squeezing a video camera, radio and pedometer into an already slim package. This should keep the Nano chugging along as the predominant MP3 player.
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Wow, iPod nano is simply the best.
source link
The iPod Nano fifth generation has been Apple's best-seller, moving 110 million units with its promise of easy music listening in a very slim package.
But Apple believes the era of dedicated devices is waning, and the Nano is a good example of how Apple is evolving its market-leading media players into much more.
The Nano got video playback two years ago and then added voice recording last year with a microphone or special headset.
Now, with the fifth-generation Nano released Wednesday, the slim player sports a video camera, an FM radio, a pedometer and an integrated microphone for voice recording. It's a remarkable feat considering Apple has left the dimensions of this iPod virtually unchanged.
Let's take a look at the additions to the Nano.
The camera offers standard-definition 640x480 video, although it can't do still shots. The lens is built into the back corner along with a small microphone. The 16 GB version can hold up to 16 hours of video.
The video generally looked good, on the order of the standard definition Flip camcorder. The sound quality is decent, although I found it easy to get too close to the microphone, which distorted the sound.
I had more problems just holding the Nano in camera mode. My fingers repeatedly obscured shots and the device is not terribly comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The bulkier Flip fits better in your hand.
The best part about the Nano is the effects the camera applies in real time to video recordings. There are 16 effects that let you stretch or distort images or throw the video into thermal, sepia or X-ray view. My favorite was one called Cyborg, offering a view of what the Terminator sees when it stalks victims.
Getting the video up to YouTube isn't as easy as it is with the Flip, which lets you do easy uploading with its integrated Flipshare software. But with all the cool effects and the ability to take spontaneous video, the Nano should be a major source of YouTube videos, especially from kids.
An iPod radio has been on people's wish list for years and it's finally here. Apple has given the long-awaited feature a twist, building in a 15-minute buffer that allows you to pause a radio feed and listen to anything in that period. You can't save the buffered audio - it just keeps moving along - but it's a nice feature to back up and hear what you might have missed.
The radio also allows you to tag certain tunes so you can remember them or buy them later through iTunes. Though the Nano has a tiny speaker, you won't be able to listen to radio over it because you'll need to plug in the headphones - Apple's or your own ear buds - which act as an antenna for the radio.
A healthy touch
The pedometer is also a welcome touch, especially for health-conscious users. The Nano uses its accelerometer to record your steps and give you a sense of how many calories you've burned off. Though it won't track your distance, I found it was a nice way to chart my activity. It also encouraged me to keep moving.
Better recording
Finally, while the previous Nano had voice recording, you had to use a microphone-equipped headset for it. The latest Nano relies on its integrated microphone to do the trick. It does a good job recording interviews, though you'll want to observe a little distance from the mike for personal memos.
The Nano offers the same storage as its predecessor: 8 and 16 GBs at $149 and $179 respectively. Aside from the new additions, the latest Nano features a slightly larger 2.2-inch screen and five hours of video playback, one more than the previous model.
All in all, Apple has done it again, squeezing a video camera, radio and pedometer into an already slim package. This should keep the Nano chugging along as the predominant MP3 player.
---------------------------------------------
Wow, iPod nano is simply the best.
source link
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hands-on With the Camera-Equipped iPod Nano
By Brian X. Chen
Say hello to the new iPod Nano, now featuring a video camera. Mind you, the video is standard definition, but it’s still a compelling feature on an iPod. After all, the best camera, as Wired.com’s shutterbug Charlie Sorrel would say, is the one you carry around everywhere with you. That’s exactly what Apple had in mind with this upgrade. Heck, given the puny size of this thing (3.6 inches tall; 1.5 inches wide; 0.24 inch thin), you could call this a sexy spy camera. (Note: It doesn’t shoot stills, but we’ll see if we can find a workaround for that.)
Here’s something that’s not so sexy: The camera and the mic are on the bottom left of the back of the iPod. If you’re right handed, you’re probably going to accidentally cover the mic and camera with your finger when you’re shooting video. That could take some time to get used to.
In terms of overall looks, we like the new Nano. It’s got a shinier look thanks to its polished anodized aluminum, and the corners are less pointy than its predecessor’s. Both pluses.
Other new features on the Nano include an FM radio, a pedometer that works with Nike + and voice recording. After some thorough testing, Wired.com will provide a full review of the iPod Nano. Meanwhile, check below the jump for more artsy photos of the iPod Nano, courtesy of Wired.com photographer Jon Snyder.
The iPod Nano comes in two models: 8GB for $150 and 16GB for $180. It’s available today (although the San Francisco store wasn’t carrying any, last we checked).
Its not that quiet expensive. iPod Nano is certainly at its best form now. Thanks to Apple.
source link:
Say hello to the new iPod Nano, now featuring a video camera. Mind you, the video is standard definition, but it’s still a compelling feature on an iPod. After all, the best camera, as Wired.com’s shutterbug Charlie Sorrel would say, is the one you carry around everywhere with you. That’s exactly what Apple had in mind with this upgrade. Heck, given the puny size of this thing (3.6 inches tall; 1.5 inches wide; 0.24 inch thin), you could call this a sexy spy camera. (Note: It doesn’t shoot stills, but we’ll see if we can find a workaround for that.)
Here’s something that’s not so sexy: The camera and the mic are on the bottom left of the back of the iPod. If you’re right handed, you’re probably going to accidentally cover the mic and camera with your finger when you’re shooting video. That could take some time to get used to.
In terms of overall looks, we like the new Nano. It’s got a shinier look thanks to its polished anodized aluminum, and the corners are less pointy than its predecessor’s. Both pluses.
Other new features on the Nano include an FM radio, a pedometer that works with Nike + and voice recording. After some thorough testing, Wired.com will provide a full review of the iPod Nano. Meanwhile, check below the jump for more artsy photos of the iPod Nano, courtesy of Wired.com photographer Jon Snyder.
The iPod Nano comes in two models: 8GB for $150 and 16GB for $180. It’s available today (although the San Francisco store wasn’t carrying any, last we checked).
Its not that quiet expensive. iPod Nano is certainly at its best form now. Thanks to Apple.
source link:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fifth-gen iPod nano adopts camera, FM radio
Apple announced the fifth generation iPod nano, a radical revision of its compact media player. The device now has a built-in video camera. Owners can record clips and sync them with iTunes, and then optionally upload them to YouTube. Video is rendered in 640x480 resolution and up to 30fps, with 15 real-processing effects such as motion blur, film grain or a simulated x-ray look.
Also new is an FM radio receiver, the first such on any iPod.
source: http://www.ipodnn.com
Also new is an FM radio receiver, the first such on any iPod.
source: http://www.ipodnn.com
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