The Apple Event concluded yesterday with new iPods across the line. The biggest changes happened to the new 5th Generation iPod Nanoadding a camera, microphone, FM radio, and Nike+. The new 3rd Generation iPod Touch might not have had as many additions, but let's review it and the other new releases for what they are adding to Apple's line up of music (and now game) players.
Let's begin with the biggest update to iPods, the 5th Generation Nano:
5th Generation iPod Nano - New Features:
- FM Radio (Finally!!! And it has Live Pause)
- Video Camera (640x480 smooth recording with multiple filters)
- New 2.2 inch diagonal screen
- Microphone and Speaker
- Nike+ integrated
- Voice Memos
- Voice Over (The device will speak the name of the file to you)
- Polished Anodized Aluminum casing
3rd Generation iPod Touch - New Features:
- Lower Price (Now starting at $199 for 8GB)
- 50% Faster Processor on 32GB and 64GB models ($299 and $399)
- New Processer Runs Open GL 2.0
iPod Classic - Update:
- 160GB for $249 is now the only model still in production
iPod Shuffle - New Features:
- Larger capacity, now 2GB and 4GB models
- Voice Over
- 3rd Party Headphone support
- Polished Stainless Steel Design and Colors
Overall, The iPod Nano wins the event for best new iPod. The only downside it has is that the camera does not do stills! Only video! I don't know if in the long run this will be a disadvantage or no big deal but at face value it begs the question, "why bother to not allow that feature?"
The iPod Touch on the other hand has no new camera on it as was rumored. It was confusing during the event as they showed a game that allowed you to add your photo to the posters in it. That made lots of people think that a camera was imminent during the event. But it still seems that the iTouch is going to remain 2 steps behind the iPhone (in phone feature and camera). The new processor is a nice boost for those who use the iTouch as they're main game handheld.
The iPod Classic is now solely for those who carry TONS of music along with them. I have a feeling it might not be around 1 year from now at all, as every iPod is shifting over to Solid State Memory and iPhone OS.
The new iPod Shuffle has expanded the number of headphones available to it. Other companies can now release headphones that work with the shuffle. Voiceover will be a nice feature for those who want to change a song just by saying so. And larger capacity will make it less hassle to have all the songs they desire without a trip to iTunes.
No Apple Tablet during this event, but hey, there is always the next event (October?).
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