On Sept. 1, Apple debuted its newest line of iPod touches and iPod nanos as well as iTunes 10.
The most significant advancement from previous generations of iTouches and iPod nanos is the integrated multi-touch technology. Apple users will recognize the signature multi-touch feature, which is the ability to jiggle and move application icons on the home screen with the slide of a finger, from iPhones.
Both the new iTouch and iPod nano models have slimmed down to lighter and razor-thin designs.
Aesthetically, the iPod nano received the most drastic alterations. With each generation, its body has become progressively slimmer. However, this sixth generation nano has completely revolutionized its look by abandoning its rectangular design for a compact, square one. About half the size of the previous model, the new nano sports a screen that is barely large enough to place a finger on and displays only four application icons.
To accommodate the shrinking of the device, the nano’s new user interface has been simplified. The touch screen has replaced the signature iPod wheel and volume is now adjusted through two miniature buttons on the side of the device.
Since there is realistically no way to watch video on the device without incredible eye strain, the entire video capability of the nano has been eliminated.
The square frame of the device causes a bit of confusion, as there is really no defined top or bottom except for the headphone jack - to make things a bit more complicated, with each shake the entire screen rotates.
This screen rotation ability was designed to make it easier to clip the device to oneself and not having to worry about which direction the device is attached, but it still causes more confusion than convenience. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by engaging the orientation lock. Additionally, the iPod nano offers a radio, Genius remixes and a Nike fitness feature. The battery of the nano is the same as previous models, with 24 hours of playtime at full charge.
The one thing that hasn’t been reduced about the iPod nano is the price. It sells at the same rate as the fifth generation nano: 8 gigabytes for $149 and 16GB for $179. This seems like a rather large price to pay after downsizing the entire nano and adding a few screen gimmicks.
The iTouch still maintains its basic design of a long rectangular touch screen with a navigational button. However, the iTouch’s advancements are a bit more impressive, with the new addition of retina display. Retina display (a feature first introduced through the iPhone 4), allows the devices to project images with four times the resolution than past generations, resulting in a much sharper and more vibrant picture.
Another perk of the new iTouch is the popular video chatting application FaceTime. While iPhone 4 users can access FaceTime by pressing a button on their screen to call another user, the iTouch requires users to log in with their Apple account to use FaceTime. Both iPhone and iTouch users must also have WiFi to use the app.
The device also comes with a high- definition video camera with video editing capabilities and two built-in cameras, one in the front and one in the back.
Apple has made sure that the sixth generation iTouch is essentially the same as the iPhone 4, just without the ability to make phone calls or text. The amount of playtime on the iTouch has not been altered. The iPod touch sells at 8GB for $229, 32GB for $299 and 64 GB for $399.
Apple also released a new version of its music program: iTunes 10. The fresh new interface includes all-new fonts and a shortcut icon.
When downloading iTunes 10, one is given the option of following various video tutorials, making the new software as user-friendly as possible.
The biggest upgrade made to the new iTunes is the addition of iTunes Ping. Ping is a combination of social media and iTunes through which all users, even celebrities such as Lady Gaga, can post songs that they recently liked or reviewed. Ping also gives users the ability to post statuses and photos, which seems to be a bit of overkill, but provides another way to closely follow one’s favorite musical artists.
In addition, iTunes 10 now comes equipped with the long-awaited Home Sharing feature, where all computers within the same household can now access the same purchased songs.
The Apple discussion boards and several review sites have noted that the new iTunes software runs into a bit of difficulty when it comes to syncing iTouches or iPhones - the computer will alert the user that the device is syncing, yet there appears to be no difference in the device itself.
Overall, the newest additions to the Apple family are certainly impressive and have clearly gone a long way since the first generation products.
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