Tested News

RSS

iPod Nano 6G vs 5G: Everything You Need to Know

The iPod nano is ready to go running. Are you?

By Wesley Fenlon  |  Sept. 1, 2010

Either Apple’s iPod nano has a crisis of identity every year, or the folks at Cupertino simply love testing out new ideas with the nano branding. We’ll go with the latter--always at an affordable price point, the nano has gone through radical revisions nearly every year, from tall-and-skinny to squat-and-square and back again. This year’s change may be the biggest yet, though: like the third-generation model, the nano is once again back to being a square mp3 player. But this time, it’s all touchscreen.

The multi-touch interface may have just transformed the iPod nano into the perfect no-fuss on-the-go device: it’s 46% smaller and 42% lighter than last gen, comes equipped with a clip on the back and hardware volume buttons on the side. The plus-size interface wisely leaves the 1.54” 240x240 screen uncluttered, which should make song selection easy enough even while walking around. Size-wise, the nano is closer to the screenless shuffle than ever before, but it still offers touch functionality similar to what we expect from iOS and 8GB of storage for $149.

While Apple has always geared the shuffle at joggers, their nano has always been a popular and affordable model. Here’s why the 6th generation nano will be the ultimate jogger’s sidekick.

The basic specs of the nano speak pretty well for themselves: at .74 ounces, it’s an absolute featherweight, plenty light enough to clip onto a shirtsleeve, collar or waistband. A few people will appreciate FM support and radio live pause, but even more will be interested in the pedometer and Nike+. Finally, VoiceOver screen-reading support will essentially guarantee usability under any conditions.

The 16GB model only costs an extra $30 at $179, and that affordability has drawn a very clear line between Apple’s iPod offerings. Last year, the iPod nano offered a great in-betweener option. It was still cheap, had decent storage space, and came equipped with a video camera for that extra little bit of functionality. The iPod touch didn’t need a camera, said Jobs--that’s what the iPhone is for. But now the product line has shifted--the iPod touch records HD video and does FaceTime, while the nano has been slimmed down, simplified, and been clearly marked as a limited-use mobile device.

Nano 6th vs 5th Gen


iPod nano 6th gen
iPod nano 5th gen
 Height 1.48 inches
 3.58 inches
 Width 1.61 Inches
 1.5 inches
 Depth 0.35 inch (with clip)
 0.24 inches
 Weight
 0.74 ounces
1.28 ounces
 Display Size
 1.54-inch diagonal
 2.2-inch diagonal
 Display Resolution
 240x240 pixels
 240x376 pixels
 Display PPI
220 PPI
204 PPI
 Battery Life
24 hours of music
24 hours of music
 Extra Features
FM radio, accelerometer
pedometer, multi-touch
 
FM radio, pedometer
video record/playback
microphone
 Capacity options
8GB or 16GB
8GB or 16GB

Want deeper functionality? The touch is your only choice, Apple has oh-so-so smoothly implied. And wouldn’t you like to buy some apps with that?    
23 Comments
intoblivionon Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:21 p.m.
Looks like a nice bit of kit, any idea if the background is customizable.
bagels staff on Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:23 p.m.
@intoblivion: I was thinking that too. Don't see why not, really. The demo was using Apple's sock raindrop/condensation pattern, so I'd hope.
intoblivionon Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:25 p.m.
@bagels: I did wonder why the choose that 
Rehehellyon Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.
I have a 3G nano and one thing I always do with it in my pocket is take it off hold and press the button for next song, not needing to take it out my pocket (since it's always on shuffle). 
 
Is this going to be possible to do with the multi touch interface or am I actually going to need to take it out of my pocket to make sure i'm pressing the right buttons? 
 
Also, if anyone clipped it to their jeans like that in London, it'd get thieved so fast.
Lemon moderator on Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:49 p.m.
Great stocking stuffer for the holidays. Personally, I'm getting the new Ipod Touch. 
Microshockon Sept. 1, 2010 at 1:20 p.m.
This is a horrible Nano. Horrible. They made it shuffle sized which is ridiculously stupid because such a small screen is useless for touch. I mean your fucking thumb is almost as big as the screen. 
 
Also, it's NOT GOOD for joggers since taking out your ipod while running to pause or go to the next song isn't something we want to do. We like buttons because all you do is feel for it and click on it. 
 The Nano line is worthless. Oh , and they took out the camera, GENIUS!  
 
APPLE IS SO SO REVOLUTIONARY. Now people's only choices for an ipod with buttons is that stupid Shuffle. 
fryon Sept. 1, 2010 at 1:20 p.m.
Looks nice, and I couldn't care less about the camera.
 
My current nano is getting pretty long in the tooth, but I'll have to play with the new interface before I'll consider buying a 6th gen.
Forteon Sept. 1, 2010 at 1:33 p.m.
@WesleyFenlon: What do you mean the shuffle has been targeted at bloggers?  Was that a typo or could you elaborate?  Did you mean joggers or am I missing something?
WesleyFenlon staff on Sept. 1, 2010 at 1:56 p.m.
@Forte said:

" @WesleyFenlon: What do you mean the shuffle has been targeted at bloggers?  Was that a typo or could you elaborate?  Did you mean joggers or am I missing something? "

Haha, yup. Fixed it. Sadly, there is no blogger/iPod shuffle conspiracy...that I know if.
 
 @Microshock said:

" This is a horrible Nano. Horrible. They made it shuffle sized which is ridiculously stupid because such a small screen is useless for touch. I mean your fucking thumb is almost as big as the screen.  Also, it's NOT GOOD for joggers since taking out your ipod while running to pause or go to the next song isn't something we want to do. We like buttons because all you do is feel for it and click on it.

I'd say that depends on the person. If you don't want to mess with changing tracks, there's Apple's Genius thing and the ability to make your own playlists. But considering how they've blown up the interface, I don't think using the touchscreen will be hard. Certainly not useless. But Rehehelly does have a point:
@Rehehelly said:

" I have a 3G nano and one thing I always do with it in my pocket is take it off hold and press the button for next song, not needing to take it out my pocket (since it's always on shuffle).   Is this going to be possible to do with the multi touch interface or am I actually going to need to take it out of my pocket to make sure i'm pressing the right buttons?

  The touch controls are big enough, but I'm guessing you won't be able to control it from your pocket--or at least, not accurately. But once you memorize the device, it might be possible.
Lasheon Sept. 1, 2010 at 4:38 p.m.
You just know Solitaire is gonna be a bitch on that screen. *strokes 3g Nano*
WEGGLESon Sept. 1, 2010 at 5:19 p.m.
I'm a big lazy slob, but I don't see what's so special about the shuffle for joggers vs the nano or even a classic. The nano and classic aren't that much larger and have so much more functionality to them. Custom play lists, and the built in stop-watch alone would be worth the teensy bit of extra bulk.
Mr_Skeletonon Sept. 1, 2010 at 5:19 p.m.

I must say this just looks ridiculous.

patterson Sept. 1, 2010 at 5:51 p.m.
Not a fan of the device, so much so that I bought the 5g after the announcement. At that size I'd lose it, a player having some mass is not a disadvantage. It's also more expensive than the 5g Nano was.

The current MP3 player (some 3 year old Sony stick, since my ipod bricked) I use while running. I had the player in my pocket as usual, I caught the headphone wire with my wrist, pulling the player out, projecting it away from me. Seeing as the player is black and I run cross country on farmland, the item camouflaged to the dirt. Had the player more mass and a form closer to the earlier Nanos it wouldn't have happened.
ThatWasBrillianton Sept. 1, 2010 at 8:47 p.m.
how am i gonna use a touchscreen that small? do i touch it with my eyelashes?
Addfwynon Sept. 1, 2010 at 10:40 p.m.
Probably the device I am most excited about from this iPod conference, I know a lot of other people (myself included) already put orders down on one of these, even though we already have iPhones or other iPods.  It's just an amazing little device, and I think can replace a shuffle in the workout category for a lot of people who want something small/with a clip but also with a pretty decent screen. 
 
You can also always use the in-line headphone controls while working out, if you don't want to actually pull the device out, that's what I generally do with my iPhone atm. 
 
Getting one of these, clipping it on a wrist-strap as a futuristic-watch-ipod hybrid will just be badass, especially with customizable backgrounds.  I don't mind losing the video playback or camera, cause I honestly thought those were very silly features to have on such a small device, nobody is going to watch video on a nano.  It's just way too tiny.
Aaronon Sept. 2, 2010 at 8:20 a.m.
Seems pretty cool, but I think my Nano 5G is still a better fit for me. Still not sure why the 5G doesn't let you take still pictures and only video.
Radaron Sept. 2, 2010 at 10:36 a.m.
Is this running on iOS? We going to see this thrown into the "There has been over 400million iOS devices sold" press releases?
theelite1on Sept. 5, 2010 at 7:05 a.m.
pure touch screen jogging device? That would suck for me. I like having actual buttons to press. Since when working out or jogging, I dont want to take out the device. Also, 1.5inch screen? Not everyone has eagle vision.... I'll stick with my Sansa View. Not a large device, but its easy to read, and has BUTTONS. Even after 2 and a half years, I still get over 25+ hours of battery life from it. I only charge it once every 3 weeks. Can't say the same for my wifes Nano of same age. Stupid thing cant stay away from the charger for more then 2 or 3 hours tops. I also hate its sound quality, or lack thereof. Low frequency's on it sound muddled and distorted. No thanks... This latest and "greatest" nano holds no interest for me.
intoblivionon Sept. 5, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.
Looks like a nice bit of kit
ptyson Sept. 7, 2010 at 5:19 a.m.
They need to bring out wireless earphones as their designs are starting to look unbalanced.
Popular News
How To Rip DVDs to Play on Any Device—For Free!

Our ultimate DVD copying guide shows you how to use Handbrake to rip discs for playback on your laptop, Xbox, PS3, iPhone, Zune, netbook, iPad, PSP, iPod, and pretty much anything else

Tested: Apple Mac OS X Lion

The $30 upgrade from Snow Leopard seems like a no-brainer, but that's not the full story. Read the official Tested review.
Apple iPad 2 Review

Our definitive review of the iPad 2.
Tested: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Video Card

The green machine comes back swinging.
Apple iPad Wi-Fi Review

Apple's device isn't magical, but it is going to make the tablet a real category--for better or for worse

Video: How To Build the Best $1500 Gaming PC, Step-by-Step

Do you like saving money? What about playing PC games? Have you ever considered building your own PC? We show you exactly what you need to know to build an awesome $1500 gaming PC.
How To Build an Awesome $500 Windows Home Server

We pick the best parts to build a lean media backup and streaming machine.
The Best Android Phone for Your Network (February 2011)

Don't get locked in with the wrong phone.
New High-DPI OS X UI Elements Give Hope for High-Resolution Macs

The iPad 3 is expected to offer a high resolution display; should we expect the same from the MacBook Pro line?
$35 Raspberry Pi Computer Enters Production, Due February 20th

Raspberry Pi's pocket-size Linux computer is inches away from real availability.
Nokia Explains What Makes Its Lumia ClearBlack Screens Unique

Nokia's new displays use polarizers and filters to limit screen reflectance.
AT&T Unreasonably Throttling Users with Unlimited Data Plans

AT&T ignores its responsibility to keep users informed while clearly pushing them towards tiered data plans.
Tested: Google Chrome Beta for Android Ice Cream Sandwich Phones

It's Chrome, shrunken down and blazing-fast on Android.
Windows 8 Metro App Multitasking Will Mimic Mobile Apps

Microsoft details the behavior of suspended and background apps in the WinRT Metro environment.
Logitech Announces a Touch Mouse: Where Have We Seen This Before?

Like the Logitech Wireless Touchpad, the Touch 600M looks an awful lot like an Apple input device with a new skin.

Here's What You Should Expect from Windows 8's Consumer Preview

At the end of February, Windows 8 will be previewed and available for download.
AT&T Unreasonably Throttling Users with Unlimited Data Plans

AT&T ignores its responsibility to keep users informed while clearly pushing them towards tiered data plans.
Windows 8 Start Button May Be Replaced by a Hot Corner and Charms

A recent build of Windows 8 shows the desktop Super Bar minus one Start button.
How Android OEMs Miss the Mark with TV Commercials

A one minute Super Bowl commercial is wasted if the ad doesn't win any converts.
Smart Earphones Know Which Ears They're In, Adjusts Channels Accordingly

A Japanese research project uses proximity sensors to detect which ear earbuds are in and change stereo channels to compensate.
How HTC Squandered Its Android Lead and Had a Mediocre 2011

HTC is experiencing a worrying slide in sales, and here's why.
HDR Photography: Accurate Tone-Mapping or Photo Manipulation?

The use of high dynamic range in photojournalism sparks an argument about digital manipulation.
Tested: Google Chrome Beta for Android Ice Cream Sandwich Phones

It's Chrome, shrunken down and blazing-fast on Android.
Why Apple's A5 Chip in the iPhone 4S is Needed for Siri

Siri only runs on the iPhone 4S thanks to improved, integrated noise cancellation technology integrated into the A5 processor.
help  |  terms and conditions  |  privacy  |  advertise  |  rss