Apple iPod nano 6th Generation Silver (8 GB) (Latest Model)

The tiny size and weight of the 6th generation iPod nano are impressive improvements. In almost every other way, though, the 6th generation nano is a step back.
Exercisers will probably want to stay away entirely due to its poor usability.
For average users, if you’re considering buying the new nano, I strongly recommend spending some time with it in a store to see if you can work with its quirks.
When it was introduced, Steve Jobs presented the 6th generation nano as an attempt to shrink the nano while retaining a useful screen size. Apple’s certainly shrunk it – it’s closer to the size of the iPod Shuffle than to its predecessors – but usability is a real concern.

This version of the nano weighs in at just 0.74 ounces and is only 1.48 inches wide. As a result, it’s ultra-portable and doesn’t add any noticeable weight to the average user.

Apple touted its small size and large clip on the back as removing the need for a case and making the nano perfect for clipping to clothes. This may be true for some users, but for exercisers it’s not the case.

Despite its small size and weight, the 6th generation nano is a little too big and a little too heavy to be clipped to most parts of a shirt when exercising. It simply bounces around too much to be comfortable when clipped to a sleeve or, in some uses, to the bottom of a shirt, though when clipped around the neck of a shirt, it’s acceptable.

This poses a particular problem: how to control the nano. Unlike previous models, which used a physical clickwheel, this model relies on a touchscreen with multitouch support for control. This means that to change songs, move from music to podcast, or tune the included FM radio, you need to look at the nano’s screen.

Being forced to look at the screen may be ok when using the nano in day-to-day life, but for exercisers it’s a major, and unnecessary, distraction.

This interface is simply not as effective or usable as the clickwheel that previous models offered.

Missing Features

In addition to removing the clickwheel, the 6th generation nano also removes the video features that have been available on the nano since the 3rd generation model.

The new nano lacks both the ability to play video (which probably makes sense, given that the new model sports just a 1.54-inch screen) as well as the video camera that the 5th generation nano offered.

While neither of these features were likely major attractions of the nano, it’s odd to see more features removed from the new model.

Like previous models, this version of the nano can be controlled via a remote control integrated on headphone cords. Apple offers a headphone with remote on the iPhone or as a separate purchase. Given that the headphone/remote combination removes the need to look at the screen to control the nano, Apple ought to include those headphones with the nano.
The Bottom Line

The 6th generation iPod nano is an odd beast. It’s smaller and lighter – usually benefits – but to get there, it removes useful features and makes the device harder to use.

In this way, it calls to mind the 3rd-generation iPod Shuffle, which removed buttons from the face of the device and forced users to control it via a remote on the headphones. We should applaud Apple’s attempts to innovate in the iPod’s user interface, but this is another failed interface change.

Take a hard look at the 6th generation iPod nano before you buy it.

You'll have seen it in shops, sat upon it's alarmed podium, but, until you hold this thing in your hand, free of all constraints, you can't really appreciate just how brilliant this little thing is.

The new iPod nano is solely focused on being a music player. The option to download your photos onto it is still there, but once they're on, there's not much use for them. You can't change the home-screen's background to an image of your own. Instead, you have a pre-set selection of nine very crisp backgrounds that are optimised for the screen's 240x240 pixel resolution.

Audio quality is brilliant. I also own Sony's X-Series walkman, which is touted as a high-end player in the audio department, but I can honestly say that the sound coming from the nano betters the walkman across the board. It delivers rich, detailed sound while maintaining a full tone to the mids and lows. That is, of course, after binning the included earbuds. I will still say that, in my eyes (or ears..), Sony still has the headphone market covered.

Video is missing from this iteration of the nano despite the prior model including a VGA video camera. I've never found myself missing the feature as I believe video is best left to the large-screen TVs.

The addition of a clip to the back-side of the unit is a great design choice. Once clipped to whatever garment you see fit, you will almost forget all about it. This thing is tiny, but doesn't have the trade-off of no screen, a la the iPod shuffle. It carries virtually no weight, yet still feels solidly built. Navigation of the menus is a breeze, even on a touchscreen as small as this.

At the time of writing, the current software for the device has just today been updated to v1.1. This is the standard 'bug fixes' and minor UI tweaks, but it also adds the ability to use the 'hold' button to either play/pause or skip to the next track upon double-clicking. This saves having to wake the unit and prod around the screen to achieve your desired command.


Bottom line: If you want a dedicated music player then you can't go wrong with the iPod nano. It does have its other features, such as a pedometer, but this time around, the focus is almost exclusively on the music. Just treat yourself to another pair of headphones...

I've had this less than a week.

It replaces a 2Gb MP3 player that was given to me on a bicycle tour last year, the name of whose manufacturer eludes me, but which was very small and has provided me with countless hours of music enjoyment whilst cycling over the last year, (riding with earphones is not something I'd recommend on anything but deserted roads or for seriously foolhardy cyclists).

Previous to that I've owned a portable Sony CD player back in 2000, and various early Walkman incarnations in the 80's.

This Apple iPod is far superior to my last MP3 player: it's smaller, has better quality sound and is a much nicer gadget generally. It holds 16 Gb which is plenty of storage space for me, (I'm accustomed to slimming down my song choices to the bare essentials). It has an FM radio which is a nice way to keep in touch with worldly affairs. It has lots of functions which I'll never use, such as the Genius mix, the clockface, the pedometer, etc., holds photos (although to be honest with a screen this size it's hardly worth the effort), is easy and simple to use, and the instructions are less than a page long - yay! It also accepts more song file formats than many players, which means I have to spend less time converting files on my Mac. Oh, and it's a cinch to use with iTunes and a Mac too.

I have only ever used it for a few hours at a time and I have yet to see how long it'll cope until the rechargeable batteries die on me.

One thing I would suggest is to replace the headphones. I hate the supplied ones as I find them uncomfortable, they don't stay in my ears and are of somewhat dubious quality. I'm currently using Sennheiser CX 400-II's: an excellent upgrade!

I'd also suggest getting a silicon/gel cover, to protect the unit and the screen.

All in all, although it's taken me many years to join the iPod generation, a great gadget if you like your music, like travelling light, and like moving unencumbered.

I bought this as a present for my daughter after owning one myself for several months. I've used most of the Nano models over the years - and as a pure music listener (I don't use my iPod for photos or movies etc) the Nano has always had plenty of capacity for my needs and the compact size suits me: More often than not I use my iPod when running or otherwise exercising.

For me the 6th Generation Nano is perhaps the biggest step forward Apple have made with this range, bearing in mind that I don't have much interest in the movie feature that appeared on the previous model. It's even more compact, is feather-light, and comes with a clip that allows you to attach it to your belt, or shirt, or whatever. A cracking addition. The small size also means it fits into the same case as I use to carry my earphones.

The other big change from previous models is the touch screen. I think I marginally prefer it to the wheel on previous models, although this could just be that I'm now used to the iPhone interface so the touch screen just feels more modern. On the plus side it gives you flexibility to set up your screens to suit. However, it can be a bit fiddly - in particular the alphabet to allow you to quickly jump through your catalogue is on the right hand side of the screen. I sometimes find that I catch this accidentally as I'm just trying to scroll through, and jump several letters through the alphabet as a result. I'd say this is a minor irriration overall.

I consider myself to be a reasonably serious music listener, and use a decent pair of earphones (Westone 2). I can't remember the last time I even unwrapped the basic white earphones that are supplied as standard with iPods. I listen to a variety of music including classic rock, dance, jazz and classical. I've never experienced a sound quality issue with any of the Nanos I've owned. From time to time I've done informal comparisons with other players and not yet come across a reason to switch away from the Nano.

I bought this due to the headphone port on my iPhone dying and not being able to afford a new one yet. This has the same storage capacity as my 3G iPhone (16GB) and is obviously quite a bit smaller, but retains the touchscreen functionality that I'm used to.

I find the tiny form factor and clip perfect for my needs, and whilst the touchscreen is small it definitely works well and only takes a minute or two to get used to in comparison to the larger iPhone/iPod Touch screen. Having only 4 artists/albums/songs visible on screen at a time is a bit of a downer, but scrolling is very easy and quick and the 'skip to letter' function which uses the right side of the touchscreen is very useful too. Navigation using the left to right swipe to move back a screen is really smooth and intuitive, and in general the navigation is a breeze.

Battery life is great, and the thing is so light that you don't even notice it clipped in to your belt or the edge of your pocket. If all you want from a Nano is the basic music playing function and the smallest possible form whilst still being perfectly useable then this is perfect for you. If you want video playing functions and don't mind a slightly larger model then go for the 5th Generation, though overall this is exactly what I wanted from an iPod.