Apple iPod nano 3rd Generation Black (8 GB)

I decided to purchase the 3rd Generation 8GB iPod Nano because they are now selling at a ridiculously affordable price for what is still, in my opinion, pretty up to date hardware. True, it doesn't have the more exciting features of the brand-spanking new Nano (Video camera etc) but the value is astounding.
The size is key in buying this iPod. I'm used to an iPod classic (which is hardly gargantuan) so the contrast is huge. The Nano is light and compact, but still very usable - the wheel is still as easy to use as ever before, and the screen size is impressive for the body of the Nano. Uncomfortable perhaps for watching feature-length films on a regular basis, but fine for episodes of TV or Podcasts, and fine for the odd longer viewing. The screen is nice and bright as well, with the high-quality definition we've come to expect from Apple's iconic music players.
The extras (games, stopwatch etc) are all nicely designed and implemented as well, faultless in every respect.
8GB may not seem like a lot compared to some of the other iPods available (personally I'm used to a nearly-full 80GB Classic) but it's surprising how much you can cram on there. I've just loaded mine up with about 800 songs and half a dozen 30-minute videos and it's just over half full. Can't really complain for a piece of kit which happily fits in my wallet, and leaves plenty of room when sitting in the palm of my hand.
In short, I cannot rate this little iPod Nano highly enough. The hardware and software are still solid as ever, and whilst not being the most up-to-date model in Apple's extensive range, it is still worth its weight in gold. At the current selling price, you cannot go wrong. If you haven't yet entered the world of the iPod Nano, take the micro-plunge now; you might just be pleasantly surprised...

What are the strengths?
One of the most interesting aspects of the product, which is largely in its favor is its unique design: very simple, very refined, this device is a class crazy. Its widescreen display is also a very nice find, which makes navigation very intuitive and fast. Adding Internet functionality is also a very big plus, allowing them to surf as soon as a WiFi hotspot is available in the corner. In this connection, the iPod pretty well captures the signal, even away from the source. Well, we are still far from having WiFi hotspots around the streets, but it's still practice.
Navigation in general is very easy, and it's a pleasure to navigate within the various application menus. One of these menus actually concerns the configuration of the device, which is very simple to program according to your desires. Everything has been oversimplified for user comfort and especially not headaches.
The battery life is excellent, announced by Apple at 22 hours, but is a little shorter than that.

What are the weaknesses?
The first problem that would certainly be an insurmountable barrier for many people is the price of the device.
Then, what is an advantage is also a drawback: the large touchscreen is certainly convenient, but what it is messy! It is also recommended, even mandatory, to install a protective film (and generally a shell for the whole apparatus, which is like a scratch anything) to protect it and prevent permanent scratches. Major drawback: the inability to sync contacts or calendar from Thunderbird or Sunbird! Obviously, only iCal on the Mac allows a true calendar synchronization. Another minor inconvenience, but still, the lack of mains charger for the iPod, which must pass through USB. It is possible to buy a charger normal trade, but an additional cost that does not really want to start after buying at this price point a camera. Finally, the lack of radio function, although present on many MP3 player, is a little lacking.

Try as hard as you like, you cannot deny that Apple has an uncanny ability to keep on making great products. Every time you think it's impossible to make improvements to their iPod music players, along comes another revamp that raises the bar yet again.

And with the design and desirability of the latest batch, it has excelled itself once again, especially with the new nano. Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past week or so, you'll know roughly what it looks like. In order to accommodate the bigger screen, it's both shorter and wider than the previous nano - 52 x 70 x 6.5mm (WxHxD) to be precise.



But you don't appreciate how nice a piece of design this really is until you're holding it in your hand. It's also a lot more curvaceous than the previous nano. The corners are rounded, and its edges fade gently away to a sharp edge before the brushed-finish aluminium gives way to a shiny chrome backplate. In fact, it now looks much more like a miniature version of the iPod Classic and that has to be a good thing. The edges are unadorned save for the standard Apple connector (no mini-USB still), hold switch and 3.5mm audio socket on the base.



In terms of cutting edge features Apple has been behind the game for some time now. The past year has seen virtually every single other major manufacturer build in some form of video capability into their premium flash memory based players, so it's good to see that this third generation nano has finally caught up.



It now plays video, and on a bigger, brighter screen than before. Apple is claiming in typically bullish fashion that the new 2in screen is 65 per cent brighter than the previous generation's screen and I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover this assertion to be accurate; it's a truly lovely thing to look at. Photos look vibrant and videos are crisp, punchy and detailed. How long you'll want to spend watching a screen this small is debatable and it's worth noting that widescreen footage on the 4:3 screen is eye-squintingly difficult to watch, but the nano makes up for this with its ability to play back footage at up to 30fps, which is easily enough for smooth, judder-free viewing.

Still very stylish, small & sleek design does not look out of place even though new models have been brought out. Very easy to use, hardly any need to look at instructions. Love the way that once i-tunes is installed on your computer it's just plug in & any new songs are automatically updated.
Only downside are the earphones that come as standard, although playback quality is good they are a little small & uncomfortable to use. They are easily uprated & better fitting one's are simple to find & are not expensive.
I already owned an MP3 player but iPod is the name to have, I looked at newer models but decided I loved the look & feel of the 3rd generation nano. Find it hard to beat.

Brought this item because it was very fairly priced and suited my requirements for listening to music with such a large capacity of storage, the product itself i couldn't be more pleased with and very easy to operate, quality of sound and the picture quality i found amazing, to anyone thinking of purchasing one i can't give it a high enough recomendation its brilliant.