It’s pure genius
When the iPod first launched overseas, I couldn’t wait to get myself one. It was the beginning of a new evolution in music, and I had to be a part of it. I ordered myself an iPod Mini.
It held 1000 songs and could fit into my pocket. I loved its cumbersome and thick design and thought it was revolutionary. It’s 2008 now and it has been relegated to the back of the cupboard.
I see it as a collector’s piece, a monument to the beginning of a new era in how we see, consume and absorb music.
The spanking new Nano has just been launched, and as I hold it in my oversized hand, I’m almost embarrassed by the thick, heavy Mini. This one’s sleek design is super sexy, incredibly small and now comes in nine colours from pink to green, silver to black.
Nano Chromatic indeed. The shape has evolved and the back is curved instead of the square shape of the previous Nanos. It feels more comfortable in my hands. Smooth, unobtrusive and gorgeous.
A major addition is the Accelerometer, a nifty design that allows the Nano to move as you move. Tilt it on its side and the iTunes album artwork cover flow shows up.
Swipe through your album collection in a second. Choose which album you want to hear and double click your way to aural heaven. If you want to shuffle the songs, give it a shake.
The new iTunes 8 also has the Genius feature added. Genius is your own “highly intelligent personal DJ”. It creates playlists according to what music you’re listening to and suggests other songs that might go well with the current ones on your playlist.
So, if you like The Killers, you might also like Kaiser Chiefs. If you think T.I. rocks, then you might also like Eminem. A trendy and brilliant programme like this one is as yet unmatched.
Not only does it create playlists out of genre-based choices, Genius also chooses by the tempo and vibe of the music you’re listening to. It’s a compilation made for you, and you only.
And besides all of these things, the iPod is by far the leading MP3 player on the market and encompasses all the beauty and brilliance that the Apple brand has come to offer.
The new Nanos come in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB models, and retail from R1899 to R2299. A cutting-edge and boundary-pushing gadget, the new iPod Nano gets my vote.
HOT: The Accelerometer brings a new add-on to the Nano. Small, sleek and sexy design. No shortage of colours to choose from.
NOT: The screen is small, and the cover flow looks much better on a bigger screen.
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