Your Role Model says:

But, it’s not a Nano. Once you get that, the rest is easy.

A lot of ppl are confused about the radical re-invention of the Nano, not realizing that the Nano is, essentially, dead. The Nano’s mission was to be a middle-sized iPod that still did some higher-end stuff like video and taking pictures… a nice portable ‘media’ player. No more.

The new Nano, aka Super Shuffle, is focused on a different task entirely, and much the same one as the regular Shuffle… the gym. To make it work for that, they radically reduced the size and gave it an integrated clip a la the regular Shuffle. It’s now ‘wearable’, and is basically the ‘Shuffle with a screen’ that many have wanted for a long time.

The sad part, of course, is that many ppl still wanted a ‘true’ Nano, and now they can’t have one, unless they go running for the old 5th generation models before they’re sold out. This means the Super Shuffle will be hated by some no matter what, as it ‘killed’ their beloved. =

Others will say that the Super Shuffle is inadequate even for the gym. “I don’t want to look at a screen to switch songs or change the volume. How lame!”, they’ll say.

Thing is though, you don’t usually HAVE to look at the screen, because

- The Super Shuffle has physical volume buttons. They’re small, but still easy to use.

- It has the ‘Shake to Shuffle’ feature… literally shake it to shuffle to another song (this can be turned off if you don’t dig it). However, StS needs some refinement- see notes at end of review.

- It supports VoiceOver. BUT, to use all VO features requires the Apple Earphones With Remote & Mic… which AREN’T included (Apple either wants you to shell out another $30, or they still haven’t solved the ‘sweat’ issues the remote & mic have had in the past. A bit disappointing either way.)

So, that said, the Super Shuffle will work well enough for its intended task, i.e. being a Shuffle w/a screen. Plus it does photos, is a pedometer, and has an FM radio besides. And I gotta say, the FM tuner makes radio stations sound a lot better than I expected, in any area with halfway decent reception. Even low-power college and university radio stations tend to come in clear (a good thing, since they often have the most innovative music programming).

The Super Shuffle also retains the 30-pin dock connector, so you can still have access to the universe of iPod accessories. This is all well and good.

MY BEEF with it is not that it killed the Nano (if enough ppl register displeasure with that, Apple may put out another ‘true’ Nano in the future), but rather the level of ‘milking it’ that Apple’s decided to go with here… specifically, while I own it and like it, the Super Shuffle just isn’t worth an additional $100-130 MORE than the regular Shuffle.

They do much the same thing, after all… the additional features are fairly minor in nature (for example, ever try to get good solid FM reception inside a large concrete building, i.e. your typical gym? Best be near a window.)

Okay sure, you do get the touchscreen, which is fun/cool/different, is sharp and clear, and almost EERILY resistant to smudges/fingerprints (it’s also REALLY small, but Apple probably couldn’t have made it larger without sacrificing ‘wearability’). And you do get 6GB more storage than the Shuffle… though that cost Apple less than $20 to put in there. All in all, it still doesn’t really add up to the price charged, in terms of value provided to most users. You can buy three regular Shuffles for the same money.

Also, a ‘gym’ Shuffle doesn’t really have to hold 2,000 songs (4,000 if you opt for the 16GB model), nor does the tiny screen lend itself especially well to navving through all that. The capacity and price points are really Nano legacies/carry-overs, but as we all know, this ain’t a Nano.

Apple probably should’ve had a 4GB model coming in for cheaper… trying to hit a $99 to $129 price level for this one in the future would be a good move, as that’s about what a ‘Super Shuffle’ is really worth. And including the Headphones With Remote & Mic, as they did with the previous gen Shuffle, would be a winning move as well (solve the sweat issue, Apple) that would make the Super Shuffle easier and better still to use at the gym- its intended mission.

Here’s hoping that we see that AND a new ‘true’ Nano once the 7th generation rolls around. Not that I have anything against the Super Shuffle, except its Nano price point. A Shuffle with a screen is *cool*, just not quite cool enough to justify shelling out $150-180. I paid slightly less @Amazon, but Apple still took me for a bit of a ride, and I’m aware of it.

I do dig ya, Super Shuffle, but the price and lack of remote & mic on the included ‘phones are your Kryptonite.

The battery life is also very ‘touchy’, shall we say (see below), and there are some miscellaneous minor issues (also see below).

_________________

Note #1 (Colors): If you intend to buy one of these online without seeing it in person first, be advised that the ‘color casing’ models are a shade or two paler/more muted than they appear in most web pics. The blue Nano/Super Shuffle, for example, is almost kind of a smoky, pale blue in person.

The exception is the Product Red model, which is indeed a very vivid red IRL. It’s likely that the graphite, silver, and red models will end up being the most popular. But no doubt some ppl will appreciate/prefer the more muted color anodizing on the other models.

Note #2 (Battery Life): The batt life on this baby is VERY variable, depending on how you use it. Playing around with the touchscreen a lot- which is EXACTLY what you’ll do when you first get one- will just KILL the batt juice, and quickly. No other way to say it… the touchscreen, while really fun, is also a huge battery hog.

Does not help that Apple’s choice for the screen sleep behavior wastes power by keeping the screen on for too long after a touch, and is *not* changeable in Settings. =/

Thus, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND hitting the Sleep/Wake button and putting the screen to sleep every time you’re done touchscreening. Your battery life will thank you.

From the above, you may have gathered that Apple’s claimed ’24 hours of battery life’ is really for a Super Shuffle that’s playing music with the screen asleep, i.e. off. And you would be correct. In real-world use, 24 hours is extremely optimistic… especially for new users who can’t keep their hands off the touchscreen. Playing around lots with the radio tuner to find that ‘perfect’ station is also pure battery kryptonite (my advice: set up your radio presets early).

So, buyer be aware- some new SS/Nano users will mistakenly think at first that they got one with a bad battery, when really they need to be less ‘touchy’ with it. Even then though, you ain’t gettin’ 24 hours.

For myself, I generally do 90-minute workouts, and with moderate touchscreen usage and a mix of FM radio and regular music, I knock about 20% off the battery. You do the math.

Reducing the screen brightness in Settings can help some, though the default isn’t excessively bright. I reduced mine slightly.

Note #3 (Bugs, Interface issues): Minor annoyances/’things I hope Apple fixes in a Software Update’, if they’re listening:

- In low-but-quite-usable radio signal areas, you’ll get lots of erroneous ‘No Radio Signal- Please plug in headphones’ messages. I get these WITH my headphones plugged in, listening to a station that’s coming in a bit quietly but just fine. =[

- Some ppl are complaining that, “ZOMG, I can’t turn this thing completely OFF!”. Well, it’s not obvious, but the Super Shuffle turns ITSELF off automatically, after 36 hours of sleep. It also uses almost no power during sleep. But no doubt some worriers would still like to have a MANUAL option to turn the SS/Nano off completely right away.

- If you set the text to White on Black in Accessibility (which looks way cool and is more contrast-y), it unfortunately turns all your touchscreen icons into photo negatives of themselves. The wallpaper too. Whaa?

- I keep wanting to be able to double-tap the screen to wake it from sleep. Perhaps Apple’s worried that you’d accidentally turn the screen on, but it’s hard to accidentally double-tap, and if it was an option in Settings, you could turn it off if there’s any probs. It’s a bit tedious to always be hitting the Wake/Sleep button before doing anything, it feels unintuitive/slow to go ‘button, THEN touch’.

- Would be nice if the Battery Life icon and Time were visible on all screens (such as ‘Now Playing’). You shouldn’t have to nav back to see this info, and doing so keeps the screen on longer/wastes power.

- The backlight power-saving behavior needs work, as mentioned… the screen’s still partly lit a full MINUTE after you stop touching it. 15-30 seconds would be more like it. And again, this is not changeable in Settings. It really should be.

- The ‘Shake to Shuffle’ feature may need some rethinking/refinement. First off, it’s hit-or-miss ’til you figure out the technique… which is, you do 2-3 SHORT, FAST shakes in any direction, *while the screen is ON* (1 shake can work, but the % is lower).

Many gym ppl won’t like this, though. They’ll want to leave their Super Shuffle clipped on, so they can just reach over and shake it, WITHOUT having to activate the screen. Apple’s worried about accidental triggerings, but as you must shake VERY FAST and usually 2-3 times in rapid succession, those should be rare- and you can turn StS off in any case.

This is also more of the Super Shuffle’s ‘hit Wake/Sleep button, THEN do something else” interface logic that I don’t really care for. With the regular Shuffle, you just click a button, i.e. one action.
Rating: 3 / 5

Stephen says:

The iPod Nano update on September 1, 2010 is arguably the most dramatic since the iPod Nano moniker was introduced by Apple five years ago.

More than an update, this is a new product that simply retains the iPod Nano name. It gains a significant feature, but loses several others.

The big deal is the touch interface on the newest iPod Nano. iPod Nano users will now be “touching,” their music as iPod Touch and iPhone users have before them. The click wheel is gone. To find your music, you select a category from the Nano’s menu such as “Playlists,” or “Artists,” and select from there. Less convenient or more convenient than a click wheel? Honestly, about equal. The screen is indeed small, but not unusable.

FM Radio has been retained as well as the Fitness aspects with the ability to use Nike + or simply the built in pedometer. However, the form factor will be a major benefit for those working out with the Nano. The previous Nano required an armband to keep it on you while working out, jogging, or the like. Not always comfortable, an additional expense, etc. However, with this new small, square form factor that need is gone. Now, we can simply “clip,” the Nano onto us, with the built in clip, and run to our listening content. A bigger deal than you might think.

The downside? Features have been removed from Nano. The screen is much smaller than the previous generation. Therefore, playback of video content from iTunes is gone. Nano no longer plays video, which was a feature added three years ago. Secondly, last year, Nano added a small video camera to record low quality video, which could be played back on the Nano’s screen or synced with iTunes and viewed on your computer. That feature is gone too. The device is too small now for a camera or to watch video. This new generation iPod Nano has many exciting new features, but buyers must be aware that it is no longer a video player. It is something new. Those wishing to play video on an iPod must choose an iPod Touch.

My opinion on this change? Honestly, did I ever watch video on the iPod Nano’s screen? No. For me, while they kept trying to make the screen larger, it was simply too small to enjoy more than a once a year video. Likewise, the camera was simply not high enough quality to keep yourself entertained by using on a regular basis. It became a feature unused by many.

The iPod Nano has changed and gone back to being an exceptional music player. There is nothing here you do not need to enjoy music. However, the display and touch interface brings the 21st century “touch,” that Apple has made so popular to a more affordable device. The touch function will be limited here to simply selecting songs or bringing up the clock, but nevertheless, touch has made its way to the Nano.

I’m most thankful that the Nano has indeed retained the DOCK CONNECTOR. The dock connector is key to use with iPod accessories such as docks, speaker docks, and built in car iPod connectors. The nano is so diminutive that if you plug it into the factory iPod kit of an automobile, the cable’s dock connector will look nearly bigger than the Nano itself. Not a negative, just amusing. Nevertheless, the dock connector is there, and you will be able to use the device in such applications, and that was a significant decision by Apple. Users want and need the dock connector. It is there on this iPod Nano, but still missing from the Shuffle due to its even more diminutive size.

This 16 GB version is the largest size Apple offers in the Nano. It offers no additional functionality over the 8GB, but features twice the storage. Choose the one best for you. 16 GB is great if you have a large music collection. We should all remember though that with Nano no longer doing Video or Storing Pictures, the storage is exclusively for music. This makes 8 GB and 16 GB more appropriate size offerings as music takes up much less storage than video.

Overall, Apple has removed video (both playback and recording) from this iPod Nano. However, it’s an equalling good music player. Navigation of music is now completed via touch, which works effectively despite the small screen. It’s really hard to believe so much can fit into such a small device and I believe everyone will be a bit shocked when they open up the Nano the first time and see it’s size yet primary function as an effective music player retained. The newest Nano brings a nearly Shuffle like size, but yet retains the functionality (touch, clip, dock connector) that serious music lovers and those who use the Nano while working out, demand.
Rating: 4 / 5

Stephen says:

The iPod Nano update on September 1, 2010 is arguably the most dramatic since the iPod Nano moniker was introduced by Apple five years ago.

More than an update, this is a new product that simply retains the iPod Nano name. It gains a significant feature, but loses several others.

The big deal is the touch interface on the newest iPod Nano. iPod Nano users will now be “touching,” their music as iPod Touch and iPhone users have before them. The click wheel is gone. To find your music, you select a category from the Nano’s menu such as “Playlists,” or “Artists,” and select from there. Less convenient or more convenient than a click wheel? Honestly, about equal. The screen is indeed small, but not unusable.

FM Radio has been retained as well as the Fitness aspects with the ability to use Nike + or simply the built in pedometer. However, the form factor will be a major benefit for those working out with the Nano. The previous Nano required an armband to keep it on you while working out, jogging, or the like. Not always comfortable, an additional expense, etc. However, with this new small, square form factor that need is gone. Now, we can simply “clip,” the Nano onto us, with the built in clip, and run to our listening content. A bigger deal than you might think.

The downside? Features have been removed from Nano. The screen is much smaller than the previous generation. Therefore, playback of video content from iTunes is gone. Nano no longer plays video, which was a feature added three years ago. Secondly, last year, Nano added a small video camera to record low quality video, which could be played back on the Nano’s screen or synced with iTunes and viewed on your computer. That feature is gone too. The device is too small now for a camera or to watch video. This new generation iPod Nano has many exciting new features, but buyers must be aware that it is no longer a video player. It is something new. Those wishing to play video on an iPod must choose an iPod Touch.

My opinion on this change? Honestly, did I ever watch video on the iPod Nano’s screen? No. For me, while they kept trying to make the screen larger, it was simply too small to enjoy more than a once a year video. Likewise, the camera was simply not high enough quality to keep yourself entertained by using on a regular basis. It became a feature unused by many.

The iPod Nano has changed and gone back to being an exceptional music player. There is nothing here you do not need to enjoy music. However, the display and touch interface brings the 21st century “touch,” that Apple has made so popular to a more affordable device. The touch function will be limited here to simply selecting songs or bringing up the clock, but nevertheless, touch has made its way to the Nano.

I’m most thankful that the Nano has indeed retained the DOCK CONNECTOR. The dock connector is key to use with iPod accessories such as docks, speaker docks, and built in car iPod connectors. The nano is so diminutive that if you plug it into the factory iPod kit of an automobile, the cable’s dock connector will look nearly bigger than the Nano itself. Not a negative, just amusing. Nevertheless, the dock connector is there, and you will be able to use the device in such applications, and that was a significant decision by Apple. Users want and need the dock connector. It is there on this iPod Nano, but still missing from the Shuffle due to its even more diminutive size.

Overall, Apple has removed video (both playback and recording) from this iPod Nano. However, it’s an equalling good music player. Navigation of music is now completed via touch, which works effectively despite the small screen. It’s really hard to believe so much can fit into such a small device and I believe everyone will be a bit shocked when they open up the Nano the first time and see it’s size yet primary function as an effective music player retained. The newest Nano brings a nearly Shuffle like size, but yet retains the functionality (touch, clip, dock connector) that serious music lovers and those who use the Nano while working out, demand.
Rating: 4 / 5