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Ipod Nano and the new Video Ipod

If you are used to the older iPod nano you could possibly be wondering whether the new video iPod is worth the upgrade.

What's the difference? Is it really worth the selling price? OK, it can screen videos, but what sort of videos can it display and are movies really worth watching on such a tiny screen?

Let's take a quick look at what is expected and what is innovative in the new video iPod.

* New Look, New Package

The new iPod no longer comes in the traditional cube packaging. Instead, it comes in a box that is quite similar to that of the nano - a thin black box with pictures of the iPod on the front, back, and sides. When you open the box, you'll find the iPod itself inside. Don't be taken aback by the apparent absence of accessories.

* Accessories!

Besides the unit, the box also contains a software disc, Apple stickers, a USB dock connector cable, a universal dock adapter, headphones, headphone covers, and a thin iPod case. Unlike the older models, you'll notice that missing are the dock, remote, wall chargers, and AV cables, all of which you can purchase seperately or bundled with your new iPod at an Apple Store. If all that you're interested in with the new iPod is the video output, then the AV cables are an essential addition. You can purchase them for around $20 online or at a retail store.

* Bigger Screen, Better Viewing

Aesthetically, what precisely has improved in this new model iPod? Your first response would most likely be that the iPod somehow looks wider. In reality, however, the only physical update (besides the model being considerably thinner than the 4G) you'll find is that the LCD is bigger. From the previous 2" LCD, they've upgraded it to 2.5" LCD - a marginal difference, so-to-speak, but the difference is mind-blowing.

The scroll wheel of the new iPod has also been reduced from the old model's 41.67mm across to a mere 38.10mm. The face material of this new iPod is dual layered with a clear resin on top of white plastic, probably to prevent the LCD from damage and makes for a clearer-looking screen.

* Oh No! Where's the Headphone Jack?

If you can't find the headphone jack at first, don't fret. They've moved the headphone jack so that it is now positioned opposite the hold switch. One change that has caused a lot of commotion from long-time Mac users is the lack of Firewire support on these new iPod models. The technical specifications is silent on this, except that it requires a USB port to use it.

* Video and TV on the Go

Physical updates aside, the biggest feature of this new iPod model is that it now plays video. What technologically revolutionary thing is Steve Jobs up to now? Does this new iPod do something extreme with video playback to put PSP and other similar devices to shame?

Well, not exactly. The new iPod plays videos, and that's about it. There is nothing particularly radical about the way it plays video. Ah, but when you take the ease of use of getting videos onto those portable devices into account, that's where the new Video iPod truly shines!

For all of PSP's widescreen glory, you cannot yet output that video to an exterior display. The new iPod however makes video output seem like the most natural thing to do. What's more, you can even hook up your iPod to your PC, open the Apple video store, and upload last night's installment of your favorite TV show with one or two clicks of your mouse. It's that simple!

For the new video content, there is a new Videos menu available on the iPod, and under that are options for "Video playlists", "Music Videos", "Movies", "TV Shows", "Video Podcasts".

As another plus to this nifty device, Apple has made the interface for playing movies extremely similar to playing music. Just click the centre wheel once and you control the volume with the scroll wheel. Click it a second time and you're surfing through video.

* Battery Life, Scratching Situation, and Other Stuff

Apple advertised 14 hours of battery life for the 30 GB model. That's for music, of course - that, and provided that you play your music at about 1/4 volume!

At 3/4 volume, the new iPod can be relied upon to play for six hours straight without any problems before it gets into the 'red' colored section of the battery indicator. That's far from what has been advertised, but for most people, that seems to be enough. For what it's worth, the 60 GB model is rated by Apple for 20 hours of life (that's 3 hours worth of video playback).

* Other Fresh Features

Aspects that we've only seen for the first time with the nano can also be seen in this new Video iPod, which is definitely up to speed with the nano in terms of applications. What's more, the new features are even better looking on larger screen.

The Video iPod has a screen lock, something for those of us who are hesitant to store our entire diary and/or contact database where anyone could steal a peak. The screen lock allows you to create a 4-combination code that you use like a PIN.

The second new application of the Video iPod is the 'world clock'. This feature allows you to define several different time zones that like to monitor. You can also have their date and time displayed along with a graphical depiction of an analog clock listed on the screen. This is great for those people who travel a lot or just want to stay connected with the rest of the world.

Lastly, there's a stopwatch - probably the last thing you would have thought need to be added, but it may be handy while you're timing your workout on the treadmill while watching your favourite TV serial, and it's hard to imagine anything else that could have been added!