2012 has officially arrived.  And while that might be a tough pill for some to swallow, it probably won’t be nearly as difficult to gulp down as this over sized iPod Nano pill speaker from Gavio.

The features are pretty skimpy and no, it doesn’t expand or collapse for the sake of storage.  There is however a set of twisting controls found on either end of the pill, allowing you to adjust volume as well as skip tracks forwards or backwards.  Course, keep in mind that your Nano’s screen remains complete exposed, so you’ll be able to pick songs and switch to clock mode for those that place this funky device bedside.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know about the Gavio’s The Pill.  There is no mention of power, speaker size, price or a ship date.

It may come as a shock to some, but there are still millions of people who don’t use their phones as their media players. For iPhone owners, that must be a huge shock. Android-smartphone owners are now growing a similar sentiment thanks to Google Music. With so many people using their phones as their media devices, the Portable Media Player (PMP) is dying out. However, not all phones make for good PMPs. Android’s media center gets better with each passing day, but is still light years behind the simplicity of both iTunes and Windows Phone 7 with Zune. At the same time, not everyone wants to use their phone as a PMP. Some people just want a dedicated device to listen to music to, or to view all media on. Whether it’s for a jog or a family car ride cross-country, PMPs are still a necessity, and these days they come at better prices than ever before.

iPod Nano

The iPod Nano is still the king of the run. There’s no better companion than the tiny music machine, which not only stores 8/16GB of music, pictures, and podcasts, but has a full FM radio and multi-touch touchscreen to boot. Even with just software updates and a slight price drop, the iPod Nano is the best PMP of it’s class, and a great device in general. It also makes a great gift…perfect for the stocking, or for a game of find-the-gift.

iPod Touch

Like the Nano, the iPod Touch only received a software update, to iOS 5.0, but it’s still the best PMP available to date. It’s a shame that no cosmetic or technical improvements have been made, such as a boost like the iPhone 4S received (over the iPhone 4), yet even with just a firmware upgrade the iPod Touch has access to all of the App Store’s apps, as well as the full catalog of iTunes music, movies and TV shows. There’s no better full-size PMP than the iPod Touch.

Galaxy Player 4.0/5.0

Apple may seem to be the only competitor in this field, but earlier this year Samsung showed off the Galaxy Player, similar to their Galaxy S phones. While the Korean and Asian models included functions to watch TV over the air, the US models are strictly on-device or Wi-Fi media players – no over the air. In two models, 4″ and 5″, the Galaxy Players are the first Android-based PMPs on the market.

Like the iPod Touch, both Galaxy Players run on last-year’s Galaxy S hardware, and still fully-capable of meeting all of your media needs. But unlike the iPod Touch, the Galaxy Players come with only 8GB of internal memory and include a MicroSD card slot that supports up to 32GB per card. The Galaxy Player also has an FM Tuner, though you’ll need headphones to activate it.

The more musically-inclined will enjoy the Galaxy Player 4.0, though it’s music store and media organization pales in comparison to iTunes (except for Google Music), while the Galaxy Player 5.0  is smaller than a tablet, but has a great size for watching movies or TV shows on the go. 

So what should I get?

For exercising or music always on the move, the Nano is the obvious choice. The real question comes up with the full-size media players, between not only the iPod Touch and Galaxy Player, but between the iPod, Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0. For strictly music and gaming, the iPod is by far the best, with the biggest App Store for games and iTunes for excellent music purchasing and synchronization. For video, the iPod Touch certainly surpasses the Galaxy Player 4.0 because of it’s Retina Display, though lack of flash playback means the 4.0 has access to a significantly larger amount of content.

But when it comes to the 5.0, hands down the Galaxy Player wins. The larger display, plus access to flash video while still being pocketable (and practically acting as a tablet) makes it more comfortable to watch videos on in any conditions, be it a cramped airplane or at home on the couch.

Last year’s iPod Nano was Excellent. It was a big step forward for Apple, as they returned the device back to it’s roots of music player first, everything else second. Half the weight and size was dropped along with the VGA video camera, scroll wheel and video playback, replaced by a beautiful 240×240 pixel touchscreen, a simplified version of iOS, and a handheld that was smaller than a belt-buckle but larger than a watch face.

This year, Apple returned with more of the same, though perhaps too much more. This year’s upgrades to Apple’s mobile devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Nano) have been perceived by many as a lack of innovation, partly because of Steve Jobs’ at the time failing health. The iPhone 4S saw few improvements, the iPod Touch none at all, and the Nano remained questionable. iFixIt’s teardown of the Nano revealed that it too is the same as last year’s model, though with parts from different manufacturers.

Sorry, no return of the camera. It wouldn’t be Apple to sell new products without some changes, and just like the new iPhone 4S and iPod Touch has iOS 5, the new Nano has upgraded software, known only as Version 1.2. For this review I tested the hardware and found no differences in performance, so we’ll only touch upon the hardware briefly. For a more in-depth look at the hardware, take a look at last year’s review of the iPod Nano 6^th Generation.

Last year’s iPod Nano (left) beside this year’s. They’re virtually identical

The move from versions 1.0 to 1.2 isn’t a big step, but it improves on several key areas. Firstly, the apps now take up the whole screen, one at a time. Originally four apps were visible on any one page (and in fact users can still set apps to appear that way), but the new default is to show larger icons, and only one at a time. For farsighted users who had trouble using the small screen before, small icons made the Nano too small to use. No longer.

The other major change came to fruition because people fancied the Nano a watch. While I’ve never actually seen someone wear an iPod Nano wristwatch, major electronic retailers all sell them. Apple graciously included a few watchbands for this review, and it’s very strange to wear the Nano as a watch. Apple includes 18 different watch faces, spanning from analog and digital watches to Kermit the Frog and Mickey Mouse. 18 isn’t a whole lot, and I’d like to see the ability for users to download new watch faces from iTunes, and possibly even make (and sell?) their own.

Using the Nano as a watch does solve one of the Nano’s problems, albeit partially – as a watch, it’s harder to lose. The Nano is frighteningly small. Like last year, I lost my Nano at least three times during the review process. When I used the Nano as a watch, I never lost it once. The bright green or heavyset blue bands are much easier to spot than even the glossy, reflective screen of the Nano.

Because the Nano is so easy to lose without wearing it, there is one improvement I’d like to see in future iterations: a keychain hole in the clip. It may sound counterintuitive, to place electronics on a keychain, but the Nano is small enough to fit and light and thin enough to not be in the way. The glass would have to be scratch resistant; after all, it would be in the same pocket as keys.

Back to the watch, what’s missing from the Nano is an option to set screen duration, or how long the screen remains active before automatically turning off to conserve power. There is no option to do so. Apple simply made the screen shut off after a minute. Some users may be inclined to have the Nano shut the screen off sooner or later than that, especially if wearing the Nano as a watch.This is one aspect that should be left to users to decide.

There are a few other features that Apple passed over on this second outing for the 6^th gen Nano. AM radio, an internal radio antenna (instead of using headphones), iPod earbuds with a microphone, and an improved battery. Each of these would have improved the Nano significantly, but with no hardware updates none are available this time around. And each of these areas is a fault of the Nano since last year. AM radio, or even HD Radio, is an incredibly attractive feature for people who have used it. A proper radio antenna would provide for a stronger, better signal that simple earbuds or even larger headphones. Earbuds with a microphone would allow everyone to use voice commands immediately, without spending another $30 for a set of iPhone headphones. And Apple has pushed every year for more advanced batteries, but neglected a higher-capacity battery for its smalled screened device.

The Nano’s stacked beside an iPod Touch. The Nano is thinner except for the clip.

Even updating one of these things would have drastically improved the Nano. I’m still shocked that Apple doesn’t include earbuds with a microphone on all of their products at this point. Additional radio functions could be a heavier strain on the battery, and the device’s small size requires a small but powerful battery. I know Apple could have improved in this area, but compared to their other goals it’s not surprising to see no upgrade here.

On the one hand, the iPod Nano is an excellent example of how important software is, and how with strong hardware it can improve devices better than simply pushing out newer parts. However, looking back at last year’s Nano, there was very little that needed improvement. The Nano now makes a novelty watch, and is easier for older users to see, but it isn’t a significant step forward. It isn’t even truly the next generation Nano, which is why the software version didn’t jump to 2.0. No, it’s a software upgrade only, one that last year’s buyers can enjoy just the same as new purchasers.

Even considering all that, the iPod Nano is still the best handheld music player of it’s kind on the market. I would have liked to see some serious upgrades, to see the famous Apple yearly revisions, but this year that wasn’t the case. Then again, it’s still the best.

Pros:

• Larger icons are easier to see
• Watch feature is an interesting turn for many users
• Everything good about it last year is still there

It’s hard to imagine life without an iPod. It’s been embedded into our everyday lives and incorporated into popular culture. It’s changed the way we listen to music, watch videos, play games, exercise, drive, interact with friends and more! Apple’s iconic media player even changed the music industry, shaking up its entire foundation. It’s been 10 years since the iPod’s introduction and throughout the years it’s been revamped into an even better version of itself, but one thing always remains the same…it’s one of the best devices of our century!

The Beginning: 2001

Back when it was first introduced on October 23, 2001, the iPod was welcomed with less than stellar reviews. In what was predominately a Windows-based world, and hardcore techies didn’t think it would really make a huge impact on the industry. Boy, were they wrong!

With intentions to enter the very popular personal digital device market that was beginning to take off, Apple decided to enter it with its own rendition, but didn’t want to make it big or clunky as others had been. When the late Steve Jobs showed off the first generation iPod, he promised “1,000 songs in your pocket” for $400. Instead, he delivered an entirely new gadget that has grown into the world’s leading way we listen to music, as well as helped propel other such devices like the iPhone and iPad.

Like all first versions, it was expensive, especially for only being 5GB (nothing compared to what’s out there now). It was white and very boxy; about the size of a deck of cards. While it wasn’t exactly clunky, it was a bit bulky. The interface was simple with its mechanical scroll wheel that dictated its functions on the small black-and-white screen. What made it so cool was that the spinning wheel interface as fun and new, which is what helped give the new iPod an edge over the competition. A new era of music was officially born.

iPod 2G: 2002

A year after its debut, Apple give its fairly new iPod some minor updates. First the price is now cut to $299, making it more affordable to the masses for the 5 GB. Then begins the cycle of offering different and more expensive versions of the gadgets. The new 10 GB and 20 GB version are born, selling for $399 and $499, respectively. These larger iPods now featured a touch-sensitive scroll wheel and a wired remote. But, the big news was that Window users could now use the iPod on their PC, allowing them to download music via MUSICMATCH Jukebox.

iPod 3G and iTunes Music Store: 2003

The third-gen iPod got a totally new design for the first time in April 2003, when it showed up with a new lighter and thinner enclosure. Again, Apple did some price adjusting, launching the 10 GB at $299, but also dropped a new 15 GB for $399 and 30 GB for $499. But then later in September, Apple decided to just upgrade the two more expensive ones to 20 GB and 40GB. The era for bigger and better for Apple’s iPod was in full force…and only three years from its birth!

iPod Mini: 2004

Aww, the iPod Mini that so many love came to be right at the beginning of the year, when Steve Jobs announced that 2 million iPods had been sold thus far and showed us the baby iPod. Half the size of the original one, the iPod Mini was the first to get some color (enclosure-wise). They came in silver, gold, pink, blue or green and were made of anodized aluminum. The iPod had now entered the fashion world! But that’s not all the Mini did. It was also the first to include Apple’s new-styled “click wheel” instead of the scroll one. Since it was half the size of an iPod, it was also priced so, coming it at $249 for a 4 GB model, offering 1,000 songs.

Color Screen iPod: 2004

After the success of the colorful iPod Minis that debuted earlier that year, Apple decided it was time to bring some color to the iPod’s screens and unveiled a new version in October 2004. It was capable of storing 25,000 digital photos, but we’re not sure if anyone if did that, but it was still cool, nonetheless!

iPod Shuffle: 2005

Deciding that the iPod Mini was still too big, Apple dropped their iPod Shuffle the very next year. They weren’t wasting any time trying to take over the digital device market with every kind of size imaginable. The MP3 player was “smaller and lighter than a pack of gum,” according to Jobs. Apple marketed the new version as a random way to listen to your music, making it perfect for those on the go and who liked a compact version of the iPod while out exercising or whatnot. IT plugged into a USB drive and had 512 MB of storage, which was 120 songs, for $100. It also brought out a larger version 1 GB for $149, which held 240 tunes.

iPod Nano: 2005

So the Shuffle wasn’t small enough, or the Mini, which brought the new iPod Nano. Slimmer, thinner and lighter than any of the previous versions, its claim to fame was that it was “thinner than a standard No. 2 pencil.” Not only was it the smallest one with a screen in the fairly short history of the iPod, but it had the smallest capacity for an iPod with a screen. It sold for $199 for the 2 GB version and $249 for the 4 GB one. Despite having less capacity, the Nano was a success!

iPod Video: 2005

Apple had a big year in 2005, with the Shuffle and Nano and its new iPod video that they released in October. Not only was it a music device, a hard drive for pictures, but the new video could also hold up to 150 hours of video and boasted a high-res display. Also notable, was that it was the first time a full-sized iPod came in another color besides white; black was now an option.

iPod & Nike Collaboration: 2006

As if Apple wasn’t a huge iconic company on its own, it decided to partner up with Nike, which was one of the first extensions of Apple’s non-music platform marketing. So Nike made special shoes that synched with the iPod Nano to store data on exercise and the like. It did wonders for athletes everywhere.

iPhone & iPod Touch: 2007

From the great iPod came the idea to make a phone from the same concept…and volia! The iPhone was born. Taking a lot from its famous iPod, the iPhone was Apple’s first phone that featured touch controls, including “swiping” through menus. The iPhone has obviously become its own iconic device, but that’s an entirely different post! While the iPod might have inspired what many believe is the best phone on the planet, the iPhone inspired something great on the iPod…a new touchscreen version. Basically, the new iPod Touch was an iPhone without a phone. Genius, right?!

App Store & iPod revamped: 2008

Every year gets better and better for the iPod and in 2008, Apple launched it’s new App Store and the 2.0 iPod Touch that could play music, browse the web and more.

iPod Nano with Video: 2009

The iPod Nano received a video camera and FM tuner in 2009, as well as slashed the price on the Shuffle and added new color options. Again,

The Present

The iPod hasn’t exactly changed much since 2009, but the iPhone has evolved significantly. Also, the iPad is now part of the family, helping the extremely innovative company stay on top of the mobile device game.  And to think, it all spawned from the iPod.

We no longer listen to music the same way we did and the industry has felt the repercussions of it. Nobody goes to buy full-length CDs anymore at a record store; they instead download their favorite tracks online from the App Store or some other MP3 online site. Car radios don’t make a CD player an upgrade option, but have now made iPhone/iPod-enabled features standard. Life has definitely changed thanks to such a small device…has it been for the better? Hell yes and we have the Steve Jobs to thank!

The Future

It seems Apple will obviously be redesigning and upgrading their current line of successful products. For sure, expect an iPhone 5 soon and from what the rumor mill says, an Apple-based TV. But with Steve Jobs gone, his memory will obviously live on and inspire more innovative tech from Apple…at least we hope he left them in good hands.

We’ve definitely had a wide range of products get sales hit in the past week. From video cameras to HDTVs at record breaking low prices and even smartphones and tablets. Here’s we’ve compiled a list of the best ones that are still around to take advantage of:

10. Panasonic HDC-TM41H Camcorder – $200

Beach Camera offered this sale on eBay and regardless of the nice price docking here it’s still around. This portable camcorder from Panasonic has everything you need for taking videos everywhere and of course comes in at 1080p. It has 16GBs of internal memory to take advantage of along with slots for SD cards which allow for much more. It even boasts an impressive 135 minute recording battery life to boot.

9. Yamaha RX-V471 5.1-Channel Receiver with Free Apple TV – $330

Now this is certainly an impressive one. Not only do we get a sweet discount deal on this powerful 5.1-Channel receiver system but it even comes with a free Apple TV (Which is a $98 value by itself!) This receiver has full support for the latest technologies like 3D and ARC while also presenting us with 4 HDMI inputs, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD encoders and an included iPod dock for pumping your music through your system.

8. Dell Ultrasharp U2412M 24-Inch Monitor – $320

Now this may seem like a high price from Dell, but this is no ordinary monitor. First off an $80 Coupon (XD5W7S1JRP52C8) bring this Dell LED Display down to this price. The monitor itself features IPS technology bringing out truly realistic and stunning visuals along with an incredible viewing angle which makes it easy to look at from anywhere in the room. And you also get a wonderful 16:10 resolution of 1920 by 1200 which gives you more than enough room for multitasking to be very easy, both vertically and horizontally.

7. Canon Powershot ELPH 100 HS 12MP Digital Cameras – $130

Crutchfield’s coupon savings still apply on this super portable Canon Digital Camera. Using code: 3A825 will save you $20 off an already low price mark. This camera can take large 12-Megapixel shots with ease and also contains a 4x Optical zoom while each and every image is graced by its DIGIC 4 image processor which brings out the best of quality. It also has a 3.0-Inch touch display and is capable of taking full 1080p High Definition videos.

6. Blackberry Playbook 7-Inch 16GB Tablet – $299

Yes you heard right, this powerful and brand new Blackberry Playbook tablet has had its price reduced even more, and even now you’re able to take advantage of it. This tablet comes with a colorful HD 7-Inch display and utilizes the BlackBerry OS which allows for some great multitasking and Internet browsing freedom. It’s powered by a 1Ghz Dual Core CPU and has 1GB of RAM, which sounds more like PC specs than a tablet. This one also comes with 16GBs of Internal memory which can be expanded with SD cards.

5. Apple MC526LL/A iPod Nano 16GB (Current Gen) – $150

The price hit has come down for these super sleek and powerful iPod Nanos. You can grab any color you like at this new low price from Amazon. The newest Nano features a size similar to a shuffle, but includes a multi-touch display for controlling your music cravings. 16GBs of internal storage come from this model for plenty of music listening on the go and when gesture based controls are combined with its display its never been easier to listen to exactly what you want to hear.

4. Apple Macbook Air MC968LL/A 11.6-Inch – $950

Believe it or not you can still catch this super low price for the popular and super thin Macbook Air. This model comes complete with a super compact 11.6-Inch screen and comes powered by a speedy Intel core i5 processor and 2GBs of RAM. It also contains a 64GB solid state drive which gives it even more speed and impressing performance and includes support for Bluetooth 4.0, integrated HD Facetime webcam and a brand new Thunderbolt port.

3. Curtis LCD4686A 46-Inch LCD TV – $445

And here it is, if you’ve wanted to get your hands on a large TV for any room now’s your chance to make some awesome savings! This large 46-Inch Curtis TV has a full 1080p High Definition resolution and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio for deep colors. It also includes a wide variety of inputs which make it home theater friendly and these include HDMI, VGA, HD Component and several analog composites to fit all of your needs with ease.

2. Vlingo Voice Assistant for iPhone – FREE

We’re sure you’ve heard the saying If it’s free its for me, and iTunes has surely delivered on that by offering the powerful and flexible Vlingo Voice app for just that. This app allows you to speak your commands to your iPhone, which it will follow to a T and make life much easier on the go. You can tell it to do things such as texting your friend Mike, or updating your Facebook status or even ask it to locate a place of interest for you and a map will display. Eitherway it’s definitely worth checking out as it will cost you nothing!

1. HTC Droid Incredible 2 for Verizon Wireless – $0.01

Speaking of free, why not check out this new and improved Droid Incredible 2 for a price that may as well be free. With a contract deal you can experience the latest smartphone technology packed into this little phone. With a large 4.0-Inch HD display it graces you with the latest Android has to offer as well as SRS WOW HD sound to complete the experience. It includes an 8MP cameras as well and plenty of connectivity from Bluetooth to GPS and WiFI so you’re never left behind.

Amazon is offering a new low price on the Apple MC526LL/A iPod nano 16 GB Silver (6th Generation)!

Just as the title implies the world’s sleekest and easiest to use MP3-Player just got a lot easier to obtain! Now the Apple iPod Nano’s latest generation player comes to you at a much lower price, but for what it offers it certainly seems a steal of a deal. This Nano includes a full multi-touch display and to supplement the usual music playback it’s also capable of playing videos and even displaying all of your album artwork without so much as breaking a sweat. The functionality included will seem very familiar, and that’s because it’s based on the same technology as the iPod Touch, and when you consider that and how portable this device is there seems to be nothing you can’t do. That’s not all this generation added however, and with this Nano you can use gestures like shaking the player to shuffle through your music thereby not even having to touch a button. Now that’s smart.

Today Apple cut the prices of all their iPod Nano (Other than silver).  It’s now $149.99 after a $30 instant savings.

The Flex Wristband from Incase isn’t the freshest of ideas – we’ve seen a number of iPod Nano wristbands – but it most certainly might be the hippest.  The band, as the name suggests, flexes to fit just about any wrist size despite the fact that it’s made from steel.  It uses some sort of easy snap in attachment to secure the Nano in place, which Incase says won’t block its headphone port or buttons.

The Flex Wristband is available now in black matte, silver and gold for $49.95.

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Pictures of 7th generation iPad Nano reemerged yesterday.  As discussed in a previous leak, the next gen iPad Nano will include a 1.3 megapixel camera.  A source that is supposedly close to the project stated that the new Nano won’t have a built-in clip, unlike the current gen version, to make room for the camera.  However, we believe – assuming the rumors are true – that Apple will just bore a hole into the clip to allow for both features to exist in harmony.

Keep in mind that the 5th generation iPod Nano included a camera.  So readding such a feature to a smaller form factor could very well add some sales to the product.  But, the Nano is so small that it would be difficult, or at least a tad trying to hold the device and shoot a photo without blocking the lens.  Perhaps Apple will add a running feature that snap photos as you jog a set distance.

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Macmall via eBay is offering a new discount on this Apple MC525LL/A  6′th Generation 8GB iPod Nano for just $149 – $40 + Free Shipping = $109

For a limited time you can get your hands on this super slim and feature packed MP3 and media player for a super low price! The newest iPod Nano has a smaller size than ever, and because of this you can literally take it with you anywhere so you never miss out on your favorite tunes. With a built-in clipping system you can also clip it to your shirt or bag for snag free headphone collection. It’s interface is unlike any other; with a touch screen display and gesture control for quick music shuffling and changing. It has a huge 24 hours of battery life when playing music and with 8GBs of storage you can have up to 2,000 songs at the time.

A rumor surfaced over the weekend that the next generation iPod Nano will include a camera on its back.  Given the iPod Nano’s form factor, which is no larger than a flip book of matches, the camera would be difficult to use without covering it up with your fingers, which makes us question the validity of these pictures.  

However, historically Apple has been known to add camera’s to their iDevices as a way of refreshing the product cycle, though at this point the addition of a camera probably wouldn’t be enough to bolster the Nano’s sales to warrant such a move.  So we’re going to assume that Apple would be making other changes and advancements to the portable media player, such as increased storage capacity and battery life.

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Amazon via J&R is offering this Apple MC525LL/A iPod Nano 8GB in Silver (Newest Generation) for a new low price!

The newest entry in the long line of iPod Nanos is now much smaller than ever! Comparable to the size and form of the iPod shuffle. This Nano features 8GB of space to store up to 2,000 songs so that you may take whatever music you want with you!

The new Nano allows you to listen to a music in a whole new way with the 1.5-Inch multi-touch display. Tap and swipe your selections for music, as well as the shake-it feature to shake up the order into shuffle mode. It also features the intuitive Genius Mode which will generate an automatic playlist based upon what you are currently or have listened to, so you don’t even lose the grove you created!

To expand upon your musical capabilities the iPod Nano has full FM Radio support and the ability to live pause the radio and rewind/fast forward up to 15 minutes to never miss a beat even when you need a break!

All of these features come together in a tiny package that can clip onto you easily with the built in clip so that you can take it everywhere! Takes up almost no space but provides up to 24 hours of musical prowess on a single charge.

The final price is $149 – $19.03 Instant Savings + Free Shipping = $129.97!

4 out of 5 stars

Remember those iPod Nano Watch Straps that we told you about in December of last year?  They come from the folks at a brand, with a strange name nonetheless, called Richard Tracy, and they sent us a few samples for a quick hands on review.

The leather straps are a bit stiff upon initial use, but we’re confident that after a few weeks of wear and tear they’d loosen up.  To use the “laser-cut and anodized steel clip” bottle opener, you’ll of course need to remove the strap from your wrist, but it’s a small inconvenience to pay for added versatility.  Sure, the chances of you using this feature will be few and super far between, but you can’t knock an option that only adds value and versatility.  

In terms of styling our Blue iPod Nano didn’t mesh so well with the brown or black leather straps, but that’s purely a taste issue and shouldn’t necessarily reflect poorly on the product.  While the Nano appears adhere to the strap in either direction, it in fact only fits one way, so you’ll want to make sure it clips fully in before you start swinging your arms around.  After that it’s snug as can be.

You can pickup Richard Tracy iPod Nano Watch straps from Thinkgeek for $50 each.

Since we’re already on the theme of watches, it only seemed appropriate to present to you the iPod Nano Leather and Steel Watchband.  At first glance it looks like yet another iPod Nano watch band, but if you squint and peer a little closer you’ll notice some strange curves on the plate that you adhere the 6th Gen Nano to.  What are those?  A bottle opener, the guaranteed blog headline grabber.

The band is crafted of 100% pure leather and the bottle opener/backing is made of anodized steel.  The whole getup measure 10-inches in length and it comes in classic (silver finish) or ninja (black) for $49.99.

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The TikTok and LunaTik are the iPod nano watch as it should have been from the beginning. Designed with care by ambitious founder of the Chicago-based design studio MINIMAL, Scott Wilson.

Once upon a time Wilson was the creative director of watch design for Nike, and now he needs to scrounge up $15,000 to start production on his nano watches. He’s raised around $4,000 of that money, and there are still 29 days left. By giving $25, you preorder the TikTok, which has a plastic band and a frame that snaps kind of the way skiboot locking mechanisms close. In retail, the TikTok will cost $35, while the LunaTik will sell for $70, but a preorder gets you one for just $50.

The LunaTik ditched plastic for Aerospace Grade Aluminum machined in a CNC mill, and thus measured to perfection. Its straps are silicone rubber and the bezel also locks together.

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Griffin jumped on board today and announced the “Slap”, a watch case for the latest iPod Nano.

Why “Slap”?  Well, if you’re old enough to remember – I just barely make the cut – back in the 80s some genius pants came up with a piece of metal/plastic that went from a straight piece of nothing to a bracelet by slapping it over the top of a wrist.  A variety of things could be branded to the toy, but really the novelty was in its ability to transform into a bracelet and then back to a straight piece of nothing metal.  So yup, 30 years later Griffin has shoved that tech into a $24 watch case for the iPod Nano and it comes in a variety of colors (red, purple, black, green, yellow, orange, blue, etc).

Griffin says that the Slap surrounds the iPod Nano in a frame of thick silicone that guards against bumps, and protects the dock connector and volume controls but leaves the headphone port open so you can plug in and listen any time.

From what I remember, eventually the bracelet’s rigidity would wear out and they’d be rendered useless.  Let’s hope for Griffin’s, and their customer’s sake the tech has been updated to survive for years to come, or at least until the iPod Nano in its current iteration is no more.

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5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Best design yet, excellent screen and feel
• Faster, thinner, lighter
• Facetime and 720p video recording

Cons:

• No FM radio, no numerical battery
• Low resolution and low quality still photography

Product perfection is next to impossible. There’s no way to please everyone, and as we all know, the minute you buy something new, something new and better has just come out. In our everlong search for perfection in anything, gadget or otherwise, the iPod Touch aims for kingship. Does it take the throne?

With the iPhone 4, a huge makeover to the handset promised to reshape Apple’s media player, and it did. Including the iPhone 4’s A4 processor, Retina display and front-facing camera for Facetime, the 4^th generation iPod Touch includes almost everything the tech giant’s latest phone introduced. It accomplishes all this while still thinning down and shedding weight, from the already absurdly-thin design.

The iPod Touch 4G makes older models look fat in comparison. The mirrored back surface still scratches easily, and rounds the glass off to an almost razor-thin edge. Past iPod’s had much larger, rounder edges – this iPod is by far the sleekest. The power/standby button has finally been moved over to the right side, as on the iPhone. The volume rocker has thicker, rounded buttons which are easy to press, though iOS4 on the iPod does not support quick mute like on the iPad.

The 2nd Gen iPod Touch left of the 4th Gen

4th Gen iPod Touch, Top, with it’s rounded, separated volume rocker above the 2nd Gen

Past iPod touch models had qualities that made them seem less professional, less clean. The Wi-Fi antenna showing, thick rounded edges, etc. The iPod Touch 4G, however, does not. It’s clean, crisp, and looks and feels great. The thinness of the design is excellent for holding in a pocket, though like the Nano, it’s easy to forget because it’s so light and thin. Yet with that miniscule frame, the iPod is still tough. Users can safely play a game of ball with the Touch in a pocket. I’ve on more than a few occasion forgot it was even there.

Performance is stellar. It seems silly that each new i-device is considered snappy and fast thanks to performance boosts, yet the same applies with this iPod Touch. There isn’t a faster mobile device on the market today.

Many have thus far been impressed by the Retina display, boasting a higher resolution 960×640 display and 326 pixels per inch. I’m not. Yes, it looks great, and yes, it is much clearer than older every other screen I’ve tested. But having switched back and forth between my iPhone 3GS and the iPod Touch 4G, it really isn’t that big a deal. Some journalists have openly stated that the upgraded screen makes the iPad useless, but I couldn’t disagree more. There is certainly a difference, but that’s not worth upgrading for alone.

What is more significant is the improved brightness and contrast. The difference in lights and darks has been significantly improved over previous models. It’s not as good as the Super AMOLED displays used on Samsung’s recent Galaxy S mobile phones, but it’s a significant step forward in LCD displays. That contrast is far more important than the picture clarity because the human eye is more sensitive to the differences in lights and darks than it is to anything else, except for motion. So unless you plan on spending inordinate amounts of time reading – for which the pixel density and higher resolutions do matter  – the update in contrast and brightness is most noteworthy.

For gaming, however, pixel density changes everything, or at least it can. Games with heavy graphics can look amazing on this screen, though few have helped flaunt the upgraded hardware thus far. More importantly, the upgrade in processing speed, screen quality and overall build, help to push the iPod ahead of mobile gaming competitors. This iPod is easily the most powerful gaming device, not to mention the smallest, most useful and most inexpensive (through cheaper downloadable games).

The addition of not just one, but two cameras is huge, but not as big as it could have been. The main camera in the back is capable of shooting 720p video. A few test videos I shot proved to be noisy and a little fuzzy, but picture quality was fine, above par for what we’ve come to expect with 720p-ready cellphone cameras. Reducing the size to 480p improves the quality.

The lack of a proper still camera is more frustrating. Both the rear and front (640×480) cameras can shoot stills, but only at low resolutions with mediocre quality. The rear camera is limited to about one megapixel. It was my biggest hope to see the iPod Touch become a competitive photographic device, but Apple’s obviously more intent on leaving that with the iPhone for now. Maybe next year…

Using Facetime has been a blast. Calling family and friends is gimmicky, but fun. It works perfectly, and the results of several dozen calls proved that the technology is solid. The bigger problem is how we communicate as a society. Conversation becomes awkward quickly – with Facetime, you can’t do anything besides for look at the person on the other end and speak. Your appearance matters. You can’t play with your hair or do something else. In a way, it puts more pressure on the conversationists. Facetime demands a person’s full attention, one which we as a society will need to adjust to.

FM radio, which made its way to the iPod Nano, is still missing for the Touch, though one could argue the point that with Wi-Fi and apps, an FM transceiver is unnecessary. I argue that Touch owners who plan on using the device to exercise won’t be carrying a Wi-Fi signal with them, and we all can’t live in Mountain View. There is also no numerical battery life indicator, which I always use instead of the graphic battery bar.

With this fourth iteration of the iPod Touch, Apple brings sweeping upgrades, but not sweeping changes to their acclaimed media device. Those upgrades are fantastic: a powerful processor, more memory, a vastly better screen, all while maintaining excellent battery life. The few changes – the inclusion of two cameras – are a start in the right direction, but not the leap we’ve seen Apple take so many times before. The company is quickly closing in on a perfect, do-everything device, but this isn’t it.  Still, the 4^th generation iPod Touch is by far the best portable media player, and the closest one to perfection.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Excellent design and user interface
• Touchscreen more accurate than 99% of smartphones
• FM radio, finally!

Cons:

• Small. Small enough to lose very, very quickly

As gadgets get smaller and smaller, we begin to reach the absurd size problems we remember from Zoolander. The departure from the past iPod Nano design, as well as the complete reworking and shrinking of the latest device is highly questionable, and interested consumers are all wondering whether it’s worth the upgrade.

Is it?

Apple’s complete makeover for the iPod Nano may look like the company is confused, but their history proves otherwise. Every product they make, every filing they submit, and every word out of Steve Jobs’ mouth is intentional. The latest Nano does not buck that trend.

The 6^th generation iPod Nano rids itself of video recording and playback, effectively cuts the size in half, and has finally removed the last remnant of Apple’s renowned scroll wheel. In its place, a 1.54” capacitive touchscreen running on a slimmed down version of iOS.

The loss of video recording and playback is nothing to fret over. Yes, it was convenient, but the tiny screen was, frankly, ridiculous to watch video on. I’m glad Apple acknowledged that and rid of the function. Recording video on such a small device was likewise handy, yet the light weight and small size, not to mention low resolution and mediocre picture quality, made the feature a last-resort for users. Most video shot on the Nano never even left the device, thanks in part to no Wi-Fi antenna.

This latest Nano is trimmed of all the fat from the previous model and gets down to the very core of the device: a small music player that’s simple, intuitive, and easy to use for anything. For kids to store their music collection on; for adults looking to exercise to a beat; for the busy salesman who already carries around too much in his pockets and needs something small and simple.

For these users, the Nano is an excellent fit. In practice, the Nano is an exceptional media player. With up to 16GB (8GB or 16GB models available), there’s more than enough space for the daily excursion or even a month-long trip. Battery life is rated for 24 hours of continuous audio playback, and the recharge time is quick, capable of a full recharge in just a few hours (or 80% charge in 1.5 hours).  In fact, there’s only one thing that doesn’t make the Nano the ultimate road warrior: its size.

Like all small things, the latest Nano is easy to lose. Scaling back in every way for this latest Nano simplifies the device, but also makes it a chore to keep an eye on. While testing it, I lost the Nano several times, each time slightly more than the last. Luckily they were all around the office or home. Had I left it on some store counter or doctor’s office, it would be as good as gone.

The iPod Nano, thicker than the 4th gen iPod Touch thanks to its clip

With the iPod Shuffle, such a loss isn’t a big deal. $50 is a much easier replacement than $150 (or $180) for the Nano. The inclusion of a clip to holster the Nano is great, to wear on the belt or an armband, though while testing I only used the clip for exercise. For the sake of not losing it, I recommend using the clip whenever possible.

Features are limited for the Nano to what’s already on the device, and the Nike+ add-on. The Nano is not strictly speaking an iOS device, though many of the functions feel and look identical. Rotating the screen (a 240×240 pixel square) is done with two fingers turning the image on-screen. This method is convenient and intuitive – much better than using accelerometers for the same function. Instead of a dedicated home button, pressing and holding a finger on the screen for three seconds returns to the home screen. Because there is no way to exit apps besides for holding on the screen, swipe functionality plays an important role on the Nano. Swiping left on almost any screen will go back one screen.

Apps on screen can be moved around, but none deleted. Four pages of apps include quick links to music (playlists, artists, now playing, Genius mixes, etc.), settings, photos, fitness, clock, and an FM radio. The photos app is almost identical to other iOS devices, though as I found out when putting pictures on the device, it took my 7000+ photos roughly two hours to be resized specifically for the Nano. It won’t store full-size images, and for good reason: there is no pinch-zoom function on the Nano, only a double-tap to zoom in enough for the full screen to be utilized.

The clock app includes an analog clock, stopwatch and timer. Fitness includes a silly pedometer, which uses the internal accelerometer to count steps. A history of the Fitness app’s use is also recorded.

The FM radio uses headphones as an antenna, and undoubtedly built the relatively weak iPod headphones to work best for reception. Other, higher-quality headphones I tested didn’t receive as good a signal as the iPod headphones, but users will have to determine quality of the sound versus quality of the earbuds for themselves. Unlike the Zune HD, this is no HD radio, just a standard FM receiver. Any number of stations can be set as favorites. A special “Live Pause” feature allows up to 15 minutes of radio to be stored, in case you don’t want to miss anything. Battery life cuts down significantly when using the FM radio. In my testing, I averaged between 6-8 hours listening to FM radio.

The iPod Nano also has voice control, though the included headphones do not include the required microphone. Interested users will have to purchase a separate set for $30.

Apple’s latest iPod Nano is a simplification of media playback devices. The computer and cellphone giant has finally made three (technically four) separate mobile entities: the Shuffle – light, inexpensive, and for music only; the Nano – screened, high capacity for photos and music, and an excellent exercise companion; and the Touch (or iPhone) – the do-all media device for music, videos, pictures and games. The Nano performs its function marvelously, though interested consumers can purchase similar media players for cheaper. But they won’t find a better, crisper, and cleaner device than the latest 6th generation iPod Nano.

Amazon has the 16GB for $172.

For those looking to feel a little tinge of nostalgia every time they use their iPod nano, you can follow in the modding footsteps of others and fit your nano inside the remains of an old Dreamcast VMU. In its day, the VMU (Visual Memory Unit) was a micro handheld, smaller than the smallest Gameboy, that had a real alive community buzzing around it due to its memory card slot.

Much of that community is still alive, so if you’ve got a Dreamcast VMU, you’re only going to use it as an iPod nano case if it’s dead. If that is the case, once you’ve got the nano’s 1.5-inch screen aligned with the Dreamcast, you’ve got yourself an homage to the good old days, and a bulletproof casing for the fragile nano.

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