Do You Love or Hate the New Nano?

Written on September 05, 2007 by Matt Radel and 51 people have commented

iPod nano I wanna get your feedback here, loyal TAB readers. What are your thoughts on the new Nano? Love it? Hate it? Luke warm?

Personally I’m in the hate it camp. I was really crossing my fingers that the spy photos that had previously leaked out on the ‘net where fake. I like the larger screen I guess (320×240), but it just feels like it’s now the bastard child of the iPod line.

So, what do you guys think?

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#1 Cameron says:
I think it looks fine. I like the new colors. Technically it’s the “short” nano, not the “fat” nano.
#2 Matt J says:
I think it’s OK, an improvement, but not a ‘Wow’ product.
#3 Marek Macak says:
Definitely in the hate camp, I’d say that the new design of Nano physically hurts me when I look at it!
#4 David says:
Like it. Thought it was odd at first, but to keep the scroll wheel and have a decent screen for video it seems right.
#5 Mark Johnson says:
It’s chubby. No wait, it gives *me* a chubby.
#6 Matt Radel says:
@ Mark: ewwww….
#7 rui jorge says:
i like it… the old ipod nano has a very small screen, it hurts my eyes looking at it, and it’s impossible to see a video on the old ipod nano…the new one is fatter, but the screen is really nice, and i think it looks nice… i think it’s an evolution, it has a better battery, much better screen, i can see videos or photos on it now… so i would buy it. It’s fatter, but thinner and shorter… i never loved ipod nano, i still don’t love the new one, but i think it’s nice. What could we expect from a nano product? It’s much better and nicer than sony’’s or creative similar devices…
#8 Steve says:
I’m in the hate it crowd.

Not that the new nano is no good, but that it replaces the old nano, which is beautiful. The slim design of the previous model, and *lack* of a video screen were assets to people who just want to exercise, or listen to music during their commute. I wonder how the battery life compares, with the new screen eating up more power…
#9 Pete says:
Love it not just like it. It needed to be done for bigger screen. The best selling mp3 player now plays video!
#10 Angel says:
I love the colors, but it will take me a while to get used to the chubbiness….it just looks so “different” from a typical Apple design.
#11 Luke says:
i like it, but will need to hold it before i love it. don’t like the new colors much though, apart from black. i prefer the old bold nano colors. but wait 6 months and i’m sure there will be a color refresh.
#12 Brandon Eley says:
I don’t like the design, but I do like that it’s got a bigger screen. I think moving to a wide screen is the way to go. I just think they should have changed it from portrait to landscape (moved the click wheel to the side instead of under the screen).
#13 Nathaniel says:
eh, the proportions are all wrong. They need something other than the click wheel in that space, or they should have used an all-horizontal layout. This looks like it was phoned in, not Ives-approved.
#14 Wolf says:
Proportions are all wrong indeed, but not much choice left in proportions if you want video. Its a choice.
#15 Michael says:
I much prefer the new proportions to the old one.

The old nanos (both 1st and 2nd gen.) both seemed to have too much space around the click wheel and took their tall, thin design from the first generation shuffle (which took its design from the size and shape of flash storage at the time).

The new, squarer nano is more in line with the proportions of the iMac and the iPod classic (and the shuffle and the Mac mini …)
#16 Chris N says:
I will have to get my hands on one before I love it, but I do like it. The dimensions are necessary for the bigger screen, and I doubt that the new dimensions will make it loose appeal to the exercise crowd. After all, it will be hanging on your arm or belt. Also, the dimensions of the old Nanos were almost too tall. There was too much space between the screen and the scroll wheel. And the screen was way too small.

I think it will definitely go places.
#17 Alvin says:
It’s ugly!
#18 adang says:
why didnt they make it horizontal? have the screen landscape with the scroll to the right or left of the screen so you hold the entire device in landscape mode the entire time. Keep it slender and longer.
#19 greg says:
I personally think its upgrades were necessary but agree its not a WOW product but I bet it will be the best selling iPod. It just seems like it offers the best bang for your buck for the average user.

What are your thoughts on the iPod Touch? As an huge Apple fan I was a little disappointed. I mean, the two options don’t offer that much space…Why not just bite the bullet and get the iPhone and have an all in one device?
#20 David says:
You know, my initial reaction was “GAG!” It seems to me that the ID team didn’t think outside the box. When Steve Jobs held it in his hand, and I could really see how small it was and CRUD! how thin it is, I was pretty amazed. I guess it goes to show that you have to judge the design in the context it was designed for. Either that or Mr. Jobs had me hypnotized whenever he said the word, “Gorgeous!”
#21 Dave says:
The new nano design is about having a visual experience as well as an auditory one.
I have a 5G iPod for that; I’m still flying with my iPod Mini for gym and workout sessions. The new nano design emphasizes elements I don’t need.
When I saw the new stuff, I hopped online and bought a 2ndGen nano, just in case my Mini croaks.
BTW kids, I’m almost 50!
#22 joecab says:
Luvvit! But boy did I hate it from its early leaked images: it looked far larger and not as soft as what the real deal turned out to be.
#23 Catrame says:
LOVE LOVE LOVE !
#24 bodgerlondon says:
I have just recieved the email from Apple on the launch of the new ipod - what a disaster it looks. Sure good for gamers but don’t they all have playstation or nintendo? The “old” shape nano (only 18 months old??) was perfect in weight and size for running, excercising etc; I don’t see how the new square one will fit so snugly in to an arm strap for convenience. Agree with the sentiment that this is the bastard child of ipod’s
#25 Horst Gutmann says:
I’m in the love camp. The new battery life is quite a good selling point and a big screen doesn’t hurt either
#26 Ian says:
I’ll reserve judgement a little until I get to see the thing in the flesh (or metal, whatever), but first impression is that they should’ve called it the iPod Fugly.
#27 Dinesh says:
I think when you look at it in person, it should look good. Photos do not always reflect the right look.
#28 Matt Radel says:
I think what bothers me most is that the Nano and the Touch have “soon to be updated” written all over them. The space on the Touch is too small, and I really think that the Nano is going to get a negative reaction from consumers. Even if I was in the market for an iPod, I’d steer clear of both.
#29 WB says:
Uglyuglyugly! Looks like something made by Creative
#30 luca says:
I love it
#31 nanda says:
I love it, just saw one in the Apple store, looks way better in the real world than in the pictures, it is so thin, you could probably keep it in your wallet. It seemed that most people in the store were buying them.
#32 cml575 says:
Hate it. This is the first ipod, other than the first shuffle, that I’ve ever seen that I didn’t immediately want. Video is a nice touch, but I suspect like most ipod nano buyers, I use mine mostly for exercising or while commuting where a video screen is useless. The shape just feels all wrong for running, etc. (and won’t fit in existing cases.) I’m seriously considering a 2nd gen nano in case mine dies, but I’ll reserve final judgment until I actually hold one.
#33 Sean OB says:
I hated it in pictures but its about the thickness of a ritz cracker. It’s beautiful….small….nice.
#34 shell says:
I got one yesterday! Wow! Screen size is awesome. Backlight is great. It fits in my pocket with no bulge. It doesn’t yank itself off of the headphone jack if dropped. The video is a nice option. The price is better. I just need a case for my little fatty. I wasn’t sure if I would like it at first glance, but I LOVE IT!!
#35 Nels says:
Love it! Bought one as soon as I saw it. It has the best of both worlds for me.
#36 Arjun says:
Definitely an improvement from the 2nd gen iPod Nano; at least in a technical sense. The increased battery life and video playback are very much appreciated from a person with an *increasingly* small budget. 8 gigs for $200! Gen 2 was 4 gigs for the same price! Im sure this will be another best seller of an iPod.
#37 Todd says:
I really like it because of its versatility. I use my 2nd Gen nano for workouts (treadmill and outdoor) as well as for long flights. Now on those long flights, I can enjoy video, games and music without compromising size (this thing is incredibly thin). One thing that will emerge from user experience is the durability (especially the screen’s susceptibility to scratching). I guess 3rd party cases will take care of that.
#38 katherine says:
I personally like it it… just bought the light blue one a few days ago I’ve also read in a few reviews that the new nano looks/feels sooo much better in real life than in pictures.
#39 Jag says:
I think the new Nano looks great. Finally cover flow, which is one of my favorite aspect in iTunes, and the new menu looks also very cool. But I don,t think that the video-function makes much sens on this small screen. Being a iPod nano fan for many years now ( i had 1st + 2nd generation) i think it’s time to move on (I ordered myself an iPod touch). The nano has always been a pure music companion, but now it has become more then this…..but I really don’t think that it isn’t really comfortable to watch a music video, an episode from a TV-serie or smth. else on it……..
But it is a good device if you want to have a small and handy mutimedia thingy in your pocket….
#40 esana says:
Terrible design. If i want video then ill go for a VIDEO IPOD, right? i mean who the hell is going to watch a movie on that itty bitty screen anyways! bring back the old nano and make it a bit shorter with an all rubber casing!

Nobody wants to go fat!!!
#41 MC says:
Does anyone know where to find 3rd party cases for the new nano? I haven’t been able to find any online or in stores.
#42 LPG says:
I hate it! Screen & capacity are too small for meaningful video use anyway. Does Apple think we’re stupid?? Want to watch something? Get the Classic or Touch. Want to just listen to something? Get the…oh, wait a minute, can’t get anything (with a screen) for that anymore. In many respects, Apple is starting to resemble a cell phone company (high prices, spotty HW quality, products overstuffed with features, few alternatives, etc.).
#43 Random says:
I HATE THE @^&^!*& NEW NANO its an immitation of the video :/
#44 Shell says:
Edsel of Apple design — really unattractive. Elegance sacrificed for a screen to go blind with … get a plasma.
Should have kept “old” model for those interested in music alone. Glad I got the Nano before it wents chubbs …
#45 Buglet says:
Ugly! And it’s got sharp edges!
#46 Someone says:
I <3 it!! I just got one and it’s so cute… the new colors are amazing!!!
#47 Rachel says:
I love the new Nano but thr battery don’t last long at all. I had to buy a new one already. Luckily for me I found a site that has the batteries for cheap with a 1 year warranty. needbattery.com
http://www.needbattery.com/Mp3-Players/Apple.html
#48 Zoe says:
Alright I have a really funny story to tell(In my opinion)
See I’m like, a really ditsy 14 year old.
and I “lost” my old you know, 1st gen iPod nano.
It was a 2gig and I LOVED it.
So I was iPodless for about five or six months-let me tell you it was hell.
Well my dad bought me a new 4gig nano as a surprise and I was happy! Until they found my old on in between the car seat. Since I had a new one he gave my old one to my 10 year old sister who doesn’t even listen to music.
As I said, I effin’ LOVED the old one, but the features of the new one had me caught.
Now, when ever I saw my old lonely-musicless iPod sitting in my dad’s office I wanted to snatch it.
The new one had a warranty, ya know?
But I felt bad! I didn’t want my dad to take back my gift just because I was being selfish.
Ahhh how it pissed me off!
My sister added three songs, and I don’t even know- one of them I knew and it was on my iPod.
So- It’s one in the morning and I just loaded 281 songs onto my old now full of music iPod nano.
If feel guilty for abandoning my new one but what the hell, I got the one I love back.
And I don’t really think my sister will care.

…not so sure about my dad though.
But to wrap it all up.
I like the old nano better- the new looks nice, but doesn’t fit in my pocket or my hand.
And it’s fat.
and probably diabetic,
in the long run tall and skinny is always hotter than short and fat.
#49 Josie says:
I dont like the new ipod… it reminds me too much of a zune, not that i have something against zunes but i always liked apple for the originality of the products. now this new version for me is like any old mp4 player…..i wont replace my 3g with this one…. i hope next time an ipod comes out i will like it more.!