Every year, Apple releases new iPods, forcing us all to consider whether its time to upgrade our music player. The 2010 crop of iPods--revamped shuffles and nanos, and a refreshed iPod touch--represent some of the biggest changes to the iPod lineup in recent times. Apple curiously left the classic out of this round of updates, and as the sole remaining hard drive-based iPod, we suspect that the venerable classic is on its way to being a relic remembered by music geeks alongside other forgotten audio tech like wax cylinders and, uh, those CD things.
But on to this year’s new toys. At the bottom end of the iPod range is the fourth-generation iPod shuffle. It’s available as a single 2GB configuration that comes in five colors. While it’s the cheapest and lowest-capacity iPod that Apple currently makes, it has one killer feature that’s pretty rare these days--physical buttons. The five-button control pad offers play/pause, volume up and down, and forward and back buttons for navigating your music. If you use your iPod for working out or usually store it in a pocket, the physical buttons are perfect for no-look switching of tracks. And since there’s no screen, the shuffle also features a VoiceOver button that speaks the name of the currently playing track and helps you cycle between playlists. While Apple’s abandoned the “stick of gum” form factor, the new square-shaped shuffle is still tiny and weighs less than half an ounce.
Meanwhile, at 1.48 x 1.61 inches, the new sixth-generation nano is barely bigger than the shuffle, though it is available in 8GB and 16GB configurations. With this iPod, the iconic click-wheel is gone, and Apple opted instead for a 1.54-inch multi-touch screen. The nano’s touch interface is reminiscent of iOS, but unlike that platform, it provides no capability for adding new applications or content directly from the nano--although you can rearrange the 14 function icons across four screens to make finding your most-used functions faster.
That fancy new touchscreen comes at a price, though. Not only are nearly all of the button controls gone, but Apple has also removed other core features like video playback and the camera. Was it a fair trade? No. While the nano’s touch controls are easy to operate, they don’t add anything to the experience, aside from a bit of techno-bling. And the lack of dedicated buttons means lots of screen tapping to accomplish everything.
While the nano has gained limited touchy-feely tendencies, the fourth-gen iPod touch offers the same iOS experience that touch and iPhone users are already accustomed to. The most notable additions are front- and rear-facing cameras, which can be used with the new FaceTime app to initiate video calls when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. You can easily dial up iPhone 4 users or reach out to other iPod touch owners via an email address. The back camera also shoots stills and 720p HD video at 30fps. While the shots are of noticeably lower quality than those taken with the iPhone 4, for such a small, multi-function device we can’t complain. The new touch also features Apple’s A4 processor inside, making everything feel a bit speedier than the prior model, while the new 960 x 640 pixel Retina Display (also found in the iPhone 4) makes everything much prettier. Now more than ever, the touch really is “an iPhone without a phone.”
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iPod Shuffle
Apple
apple.com
Price: $49 (2GB)
Requirements: USB 2.0 port, iTunes 10 or later
Pros: Five colors. VoiceOver button for audible navigation. Hard buttons for controlling playback without looking at the device.
Cons: Form factor makes the clip hard to use. You’re going to lose the non-standard headphone jack-to-USB charging cable. No bundled headset/remote, just standard Apple earbuds.
iPod Nano
Apple
apple.com
Price: $149 (8GB), $179 (16GB)
Requirements: USB 2.0 port, iTunes 10 or later
Pros: It’s tiny. Ooh, touchscreen! FM radio.
Cons: Tiny screen = lots of scrolling. Touch interface feels like a case of form over function. No more camera,or video playback. No bundled headset/remote, just standard Apple earbuds.
iPod Touch
Apple
apple.com
Price: $229 (8GB), $299 (32GB), $399 (64GB)
Requirements: USB 2.0 port, iTunes 10 or later
Pros: Does nearly everything an iPhone 4 does, except drop calls. Front- and rear-facing cameras. FaceTime. Shoots HD video. Slimmer profile. Retina Display.
Cons: Camera is lower-quality than the iPhone 4’s camera. No bundled headset/remote, just standard Apple earbuds. You’re going to have to buy yet another case.
