Apple Announces All-New iPod Models: Shuffle, Nano and Touch

[dampfnudel]

My impressions on the new iPods

4th Gen Shuffle- Back to the best shuffle design (2nd gen).

6th Gen Nano- Cute downgrade from the 5th Gen Nano. No video, no camera, no clickwheel, too small to use comfortably.

4th Gen Touch- WTH...only a 0.7MP camera?!? Steve wants us to get an iPhone instead...or perhaps a 7" iPad.

I bought a 3rd Gen iPod Touch (64GB) and 5th Gen Nano (16GB) last year and thought I would feel bad today. I don't feel bad at all. I'm waiting for the Verizon iPhone, with a 5MP+ camera of course. Maybe I'll get a 7" iPad when it comes out next year as well. I'm sure the new Nano's cuteness will appeal to some, but just to be safe, maybe Apple should continue selling the 5th Gen Nano for a while.

 

[thirteen1031]

I agree, I like having the physical click wheel so that in the winter I can skip songs in my pocket without having to take my gloves off.

New nano includes voice option. So if you get headphones with a mic, you don't even have to reach into your pocket, let alone take off your gloves to control it.

To quote from the website:

iPod nano includes VoiceOver...you’ll hear a synthesized voice speaking the names of menus, songs, and artists. Touch the screen to hear a description of the item under your finger, then double-tap, drag, or flick to control iPod nano. Use the optional Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic to control your music without looking at the screen. VoiceOver tells you the name of the song or artist — and it speaks 29 languages.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I don't know what apple's direction is ... The new nano design is more of an upgrade from shuffle than an ipod "nano". 2 by 2 tiles is just too small. I think they should of keep the same dimensions for the screen and make it 2 X 3 tiling.

This might be a ploy to make ipod nano to new shuffle and weed out the shuffle.

Ipod nano = tricked out ipod shuffle.

 

[SkippyThorson]

I bought a 3rd Gen iPod Touch (64GB) and 5th Gen Nano (16GB) last year and thought I would feel bad today. I don't feel bad at all. I'm waiting for the Verizon iPhone, with a 5MP+ camera of course. Maybe I'll get a 7" iPad when it comes out next year as well. I'm sure the new Nano's cuteness will appeal to some, but just to be safe, maybe Apple should continue selling the 5th Gen Nano for a while.

Actually, I OBVIOUSLY am picking up the 500GB ClickWheel Nano Deluxe Apple will release in October, and I'm probably going to consider the 42" HDiTV Steve has set to come for the holidays. That 7" iPad is already obsolete. The 6.3" iPad is where it's at!

I love when people say they're going to buy Apple's unreleased products like they're in Steve's posse.

 

[dexx0008]

Okay, sorry in advance but what's with all the complaining about the Nano?

Apple have said, both today and in previous earnings reports, that the nano was becoming less popular. If they'd launched a version today that kept the same features (video, buttons etc) but tweaked the form factor somehow it would have been the most pointless product they could produce. If you're looking for those features the base iPod Touch simply destroys the nano for only $80 more, it would have been verging on embarrassing.

Instead Apple have redesigned the nano into a more niche product but one that will find different uses and applications than either the shuttle or the touch. By so doing they manage to keep their product line distinct and avoid canabalising sales AND manage to produce something that, IMO of course, is a very very cool looking gadget.

i predict either new nano will perform equally as poorly, or it will gain sales while canabalizing the shuffle, since they are so close. the new nano is really a premium shuffle now.

there is no option to choose from between 49 and 149 dollars, thats a large gap. The touchscreen would be awful to use while running, and going with a shuffle you lose the nike+

imo- the nano would have been best served adding physical volume buttons, and an optional clip that clips to the ipod, and maybe dropping the price slightly if there were no new features except physical buttons.--maybe a slight change to design. ie more of a minor bump. they could have maybe added a poor quality still picture option. yeah, it sucks compared to the phone for pictures, but in a pinch those are still ok features.

since i already have an iphone 4, trying to take away features on the nano to shove me into a ipod touch makes zero sense. an ipod touch is overkill and bulky to use for exercising--> especially when getting caught in the rain. a more affordable nano that has more features than the shuffle would have been perfect. i have zero interest in a tiny touch screen, especially when thinking about trying to change songs mid run with it clipped on someplace.

i will pick up a used 5th gen nano i think.

 

[dXTC]

...

i will now pickup a used 5th gen nano.

You won't be disappointed. I love mine.

 

[watersjj]

For what? 802.11n's speed is really only useful for transferring files across a network. For surfing the web/downloading/streaming, you're still at the mercy of your ISP's speed.

I thought that 802.11g supports only 54 Mbit/s, while 802.11n should be 3 to 10 times faster. Wouldn't web pages load faster then?

 

[dampfnudel]

Actually, I OBVIOUSLY am picking up the 500GB ClickWheel Nano Deluxe Apple will release in October, and I'm probably going to consider the 42" HDiTV Steve has set to come for the holidays. That 7" iPad is already obsolete. The 6.3" iPad is where it's at!

I love when people say they're going to buy Apple's unreleased products like they're in Steve's posse.

Based on the Apple products you own, you're already part of his posse and so am I.

 

[TiborP]

Er, sorry if this is a stupid question, but why are UK prices so much higher than US?

I don't really care about all these different iPods, I'm a Classic user, and the only thing I really want changed with the Classic is a way to flip the screen upside down. My hands are too big to hold the Classic in the traditional way, it's easier on my thumbs to hold it upside down.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Er, sorry if this is a stupid question, but why are UK prices so much higher than US?

I don't really care about all these different iPods, I'm a Classic user, and the only thing I really want changed with the Classic is a way to flip the screen upside down. My hands are too big to hold the Classic in the traditional way, it's easier on my thumbs to hold it upside down.

Isn't that because of the VAT tax? And thousands of other taxes on entertainment electronics in Europe?

 

[SkippyThorson]

Based on the Apple products you own, you're already part of his posse and so am I.

I've just been served. Touché.

Edit: I just went back to see if you were the user I replied to and reread what I edited out!

4th Gen Touch- WTH...only a 0.7MP camera?!? Steve wants us to get an iPhone instead...or perhaps a 7" iPad.

0.7 MEGAPIXELS?!?! BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAx251million!

 

[Serelus]

Lol people... the iPod touch has a mic built into it... if you didn't notice you can simply realise this by the fact that the iPod touch now takes 720p HD video *WITH* audio.. and how else are you going to talk to people over facetime.
Would be pointless to add facetime without audio.

 

[Chase R]

That nano is butt-ugly. Anyone else agree?

 

[dampfnudel]

Next time at the Apple Store

Someone goes into the Apple store and sees the new Nano, thinks it's the new shuffle with a display. Where's my clickwheel? Then he/she sees the new shuffle and thinks they still sell that? I saw that thing more than 3 years ago. Finally he/she looks at the new Touch and wonders why the picture made with the camera doesn't look better than the pictures he/she made with a dumbphone six years ago (thanks to Apple gimping the camera to 0.7MP).

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

That nano is butt-ugly. Anyone else agree?

I find it to be too small now. At that size I'll just buy a shuffle.

 

[e-coli]

The Nano took a huge step backwards. It's going to bomb, big time. Very strange move.

 

[[DL]]

That nano is butt-ugly. Anyone else agree?

Not me. I think it looks rather awesome.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Glad I just ordered the previous generation iPod Nano.

ANd I lol'ed when I saw the Shuffle had buttons again.. foolish Apple. The next Nano update will probably have buttons too.

I know I am still laughing that Apple replaced something they thought was better then the 2nd Gen. Shuffle with something that looks just like a 2nd Gen. Shuffle. LOL!

I like the new Touch.

I think your right about the Nano. The click wheel will probably make a return on the next generation!

 

[willy-wonkapple]

the new nano.....

is pointless

 

[thirteen1031]

I think a lot of people are missing the point of the changes.

Nano: I have a nano with video and I never use it. Never. I don't record video with it. I don't watch movies on it. Why not, well...I've an iphone for that. My Nano is for the gym. And that, my friends, is likely the whole big point. Why bother keeping video on the Nano if it's almost never used? If recording video/watching movies and such is done on phones and iPod touches?

Essentially, Apple cleared the slate with the nano and shuffle, making them dedicated music (and anything else you can listen to) players. Let's face it. Most people want either/or. Either a phone/tablet that they can watch movies on, surf the internet on, play games on (while maybe listening to music) OR a little device they can clip to their pocket and listen to music (or whatever) while walking, exercising, etc. The Shuffle is the cheap and simple one that those on a tight budget can afford. The Nano is the fancy one that offers radio, help with your workout, etc.

This, I think, is Apple's logic for the changes in the Nano. It really is a fancy shuffle, the right size and ease for those using it to exercise vs. a Touch, for those who want to do other things.

I do not know if this is a wise or smart move. But it does make both Shuffle and Nano perfect for people exercising or on the go, or doing something else with hands and eyes. People who just want to listen to music, radio or podcasts.

 

[Ugg]

Er, sorry if this is a stupid question, but why are UK prices so much higher than US?

US prices don't include GST, UK and EU prices do.

 

[bsubshea17]

HDR on iPad

Did anyone else notice Steve say, when introducing iOS 4.2, that 4.2 is bringing EVERYTHING to ipad? He listed folders, game center, HDR photos, etc...

but the ipad doesn't have a camera... for now! Maybe before christmas

 

[dampfnudel]

I know I am still laughing that Apple replaced something they thought was better then the 2nd Gen. Shuffle with something that looks just like a 2nd Gen. Shuffle. LOL!

I like the new Touch.

I think your right about the Nano. The click wheel will probably make a return on the next generation!

I own a 2nd Gen Shuffle (orange) and laughed as well when I saw its "comeback". As for the Touch, I would rather have no camera than having a camera that was the standard on dumbphones six years ago. I also predict the comeback of the clickwheel on the 7th Gen Nano next year.

 

[kernkraft]

Glad I just ordered the previous generation iPod Nano.

ANd I lol'ed when I saw the Shuffle had buttons again.. foolish Apple. The next Nano update will probably have buttons too.

My girlfriend has the last two generations and she loves them both. I told her to expect something much better. Thanks, Stevo for making me look like an utter fool!

ROFL VGA PHOTOS

You should have seen his comment when he found out about the 'Great mono speaker'!

my 2¢

Shuffle - what the shuffle should have been the last time around
Nano - what the shuffle should be this time around
Touch - awesome update with the notable exception of the 1990s cell phone quality camera and the scratch attracting shiny metal back that just won't die.

Missing - a real successor to the nano and an update to the classic

This was Apple's most moronic iPod day in some ways:

No product between $49 and $149... that's just plain moronic.
Nano loses video and camera and remains the same price. That's super-moronic, as if a touch screen and half size means it is worth the price? I swear they should fire someone over there.
No Classic upgrade.
No iPT lowered into the $149-up category. This was totally ridiculous because they could have kept the most stripped down old style version and offered it for $149.

As for the shuffle: BRILLIANT. That was their one true success today--sub $50 and the wheel is back, smaller, better battery. Amazing, but sadly just a bauble-device.

I know that I'm overpaying, but your two cents are my two pennies. It was a very disappointed launch. Typical Apple - taking obvious things away, while patronising users with a VGA camera...

Too bad the nano doesn't have an alarm. Still, if someone (maybe Apple) makes a good wrist band, then I'm buying one as a watch. Okay, it's not the thinnest watch (I like my Casio Film Watch), but hey, it will be a watch and music player in one.

Enjoy charging your watch every day!

Lol people... the iPod touch has a mic built into it... if you didn't notice you can simply realise this by the fact that the iPod touch now takes 720p HD video *WITH* audio.. and how else are you going to talk to people over facetime.
Would be pointless to add facetime without audio.

You obviously haven't seen the iPhone 4 advert?

 

[JGowan]

My iThoughts

iPod Shuffle --> Welcome back, old friend. I miss the 4GB model, but like that it's a little smaller, but has 3 hours better battery life than the 2nd Gen model that it's most like.

iPod Nano --> I think this is simply the Rich Man's iPod Shuffle. Without the bigger screen of yore and video recording/playback of last year's model, I'm surprised Apple wants us to pony up the same money for a lot less just to get a touchscreen.

iPod Touch --> I love it all except the 960 x 720 pictures. I do however like the way there are two photos taken and merged to create the best photo (I forget what Steve called this). Bottomline, if you want all the high end stuff, you have to get an iPhone 4. They have to keep things compelling. Some friends of mine said that it would look exactly like the iPhone 4 but just wouldn't make calls... fools, I said,... iPods always have Chrome backs.

Apple TV --> At $99 who won't buy this? This will be a top-seller in no time. I'm going to buy two. Perfect addition to my TV watching.

iTunes 10 --> Great stuff. I just wish it was available today! With the number of people that already have iTunes, this could become huge within only a few months. I wonder how this will affect Apple's iTunes song sells. I wonder how many people will be pissed at the additional "BLOAT" of iTunes.

99¢ TV Show rentals --> about time.