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Apple iPod Nano Review - Hardware

We'll just start by saying simply, the iPod Nano is one of the coolest things currently on the planet. Now we've got that out the way, we can continue on with the review.

The iPod Nano is Apple's latest packaging of the iPod concept, and offers much the same functionality as the larger 20gb and larger iPods, this time in a much slimmer package. Interestingly, Ipod Nano also sees out the short lived Mini from Apple. Rumors abound of an Ipod for video as well, which may see the light very soon.

Gamebiz received the 4gb unit for review. The only difference between the 4gb and the 2gb is the price and memory capacity.

What comes in the box

• iTunes CD for Mac and PC
• iPod Nano
• 'Dock adapter'
• iPod headphones
• USB 2.0 Cable
• Instructions and 1 year warranty

Initial Impressions

The Nano comes presented in a slick black box, about the size of 3 cd's stacked together. Now considering you can fit about 80-100 CD's (Apple markets 1000 'songs' – we fitted about 700 'songs' from my standard collection) onto one 4gb Nano, this is maybe no marketing co-incidence.

Flip open the box, and the first thing you see is the Nano nestling within there... your first thought will probably be 'wow this thing really is that tiny'. My hand is not that large, and it would easily fit within my palm, as you can see from the screenshots. When it can in some ways make the 'regular' iPod look like a 'brick', you know it's pretty damn small.

Our iPod Nano review copy, and I assume most current Nano packages, came with iTunes 4.9 on CD. Version 5.0 has now been released, so unfortunately this will be one of the first things you will need to download (although of course not mandatory to use the iPod).

The Hardware

The Nano is a flash device, meaning that there are no moving parts, no hard drive, and therefore you can shake it as much as you like and it will not skip at all. This makes it a great choice for the exercise freaks out there, and makes the perfect companion for joggers, cyclists and gym junkies. Or even just the housework. It's times like those that having something as small and light as the Nano is invaluable.

Like all Apple products the Nano excels in design above all contenders. Coming with a slick black front (white is also available), the Nano sports a stylish chrome backing. It simply slides through your fingers.

Screen is full colour, and backlit enabled to allow viewing under any conditions easily. As a point of comparison, the screen is roughly the size and display quality of your standard mobile phone these days. This makes it fine for the core Nano functionality, but a little too postage stamp for photos and things. If you are going to using it for taking around to show (continued next page)