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Apple introduced updated iPods today, leaving the Classic alone
while overhauling the iPod nano, going back to buttons on the iPod
shuffle, and making the iPod touch more like an iPhone than ever
before.
The Multitouch Nano
The most radical redesign is the nearly square (1.48" tall and
1.61" wide) iPod nano, which completely dispenses with the iPod wheel
in favor of a touchscreen interface. The touchscreen itself is square
with 240 x 240 pixels, and the only buttons are sleep/wake and volume
up/down. The iPod dock connector remains on the bottom, and for the
first time ever, we have a built-in clip.
Available in 8 GB and 16 GB
capacities, the new nano retains the FM radio introduced with the
previous version but completely dispenses with the built-in camera. If
you want a tiny iPod that can shoot video, you'll want to pick up the
2009 model while supplies last.
The 6G iPod nano is available in silver, black, blue, green, orange,
and pink, along with a Product(Red) version that's exclusive to Apple.
The 8 GB nano retails for $149, and the 16 GB model for $179 -
just $30 more.
Shuffling Backwards
Everything old is new again for the iPod shuffle, which
abandons the no-button design of the past two generations in favor of
the traditional iPod control wheel. This also means that the Shuffle
will work with any off-the-shelf headphones or earbuds - no more need
for a special set of earbuds or a special adapter so you can use
everyday headphones.
The 5G iPod shuffle comes in just one capacity, 2 GB, but in your
choice of five colors: silver, blue, green, orange, and pink. Suggested
retail is $49.
Touch Me
As was widely expected, the iPod touch has become the second device
to support Apple's FaceTime technology, video chat technology
introduced with the iPhone 4 in June. In fact, feature for feature, the
iPod touch seems to nearly match the iPhone except for the lack of mobile
phone and 3G capabilities. You can even shoot and edit 720p video.
Unlike
the iPhone 4, the 4G iPod touch doesn't have a glass back. Instead,
it's the same metal used in previous models, which means that it can be
engraved - just like all current iPods.
The 2010 iPod touch has the same 1 GHz G4 processor, the same Retina
Display, and the same front-facing cameras (update: the rear-facing
camera is 0.7 megapixels, far less than the 5 MP on the iPhone 4, which
means the new iPod touch is good enough for HD video, and low resolution
photos - 960 x 720 - that should produce a decent quality 4" x 6" print)
as the iPhone 4. Suggested retail prices are $229 with 8 GB, $299
with 32 GB, and $399 with 64 GB.
UPDATE: Now that iFixit has had a chance to dissect the 4G iPod
touch, we've learned that it has half as much system memory (256 MB vs.
512 MB) as the iPhone 4. What this means is that some memory intensive
tasks may take a bit longer and having a lot of apps open may make it
a bit more sluggish. We don't expect this to be an issue for more users
most of the time.
Where the iPod nano went in a new direction and the Shuffle looked
to the past, the iPod touch builds on strength and should easily be the
best selling version ever.
The Value Equation
Because the iPod nano is a whole new design, choosing between it and
last year's model will be more about the feature set you want than
price. If you want a built-in video camera or if you want to watch
videos on the built-in display, choose the 2009 model. If those aren't
important to you and you want something small, light, and clippable, go
for the 2010 edition.
Likewise, the 2010 iPod shuffle brings back the ability to just plug
in a pair of headphones or earbuds, which should make it a slam dunk
choice for most buyers. I suspect the 2009 models will languish on the
shelves, especially with the $49 price tag on the 2010 one.
With the new features and computing power, the 2010 iPod touch
offers incredible value. For those of us who would love an iPhone 4 but
are locked into a mobile contract, it's one way to have most of the
iPhone 4 experience without a two-year service contract.
If you're not interested in FaceTime, shooting and editing video, or
the beautiful Retina Display, the less powerful 2009 iPod touch can
save you some money. Apple currently has refurbished
inventory: the 2G model available with 8 GB is going for $149,
the 32 GB 3G for $229, and the 64 GB 3G for $319. That saves you $80,
$70, and $80 respectively when compared to retail prices for the new
models.
Good values? Definitely, but they're going to be a hard sell against
the 4G iPod touch. Look for Apple to adjust refurb prices downward in
coming weeks.
We'll also see clearance prices from Amazon.com, B&H, MacMall,
PC Connection, and a host of others in coming days, so we'll update our
deal trackers for the new iPod models on Friday.
As for me, the 4G iPod touch is going on the top of my Christmas
list.
Dan Knight has been using Macs since 1986,
sold Macs for several years, supported them for many more years, and
has been publishing Low End Mac since April 1997. If you find Dan's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Links for the Day
Mac of the Day: Performa 630, introduced 1994.07.01. The first desktop Mac with an IDE hard drive could accept a TV or radio tuner.
The most radical redesign is the nearly square (1.48" tall and
1.61" wide) iPod nano, which completely dispenses with the iPod wheel
in favor of a touchscreen interface. The touchscreen itself is square
with 240 x 240 pixels, and the only buttons are sleep/wake and volume
up/down. The iPod dock connector remains on the bottom, and for the
first time ever, we have a built-in clip.
Available in 8 GB and 16 GB
capacities, the new nano retains the FM radio introduced with the
previous version but completely dispenses with the built-in camera. If
you want a tiny iPod that can shoot video, you'll want to pick up the
2009 model while supplies last.
Everything old is new again for the iPod shuffle, which
abandons the no-button design of the past two generations in favor of
the traditional iPod control wheel. This also means that the Shuffle
will work with any off-the-shelf headphones or earbuds - no more need
for a special set of earbuds or a special adapter so you can use
everyday headphones.
Touch Me
Unlike
the iPhone 4, the 4G iPod touch doesn't have a glass back. Instead,
it's the same metal used in previous models, which means that it can be
engraved - just like all current iPods.