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The true face of the new features of the new iPod

After the presentation of products and first impressions, came the dismantling and reviews to check how good they were actually shipped from Apple .

iPod Touch

Photo by TiPb people

already knew that the iPod Touch had a low resolution camera, and had no 3G connection capabilities. However, proved to be more missing in the model than thought: apparently, I was not wrong to say that this iPod was for Apple the IOS device accessible range.

For starters, people Engadget notes in his review in terms of design, no major differences of this iPod with previous generations. Only are the details of thinness (which for some can be great, for others uncomfortable, and others may simply not make difference) and the buttons: On / Off now stands at the top right as in the iPhone, and Up / Down volume are now independent of each other.

Comparing the thinness of the iPod Touch with the iPhone's 4 4. Photo taken by people from TechCrunch

TiPb

The power button is located as the iPhone. Photo taken by people

However, clear to us that anyone with a third-generation iPod Touch and feel happy with it, may not need to buy the new version as changes are superfluous. Retina screen, for example, is not the same as the iPhone has 4: no IPS panel, so as we move away from the ideal viewing angle, the image loses quality. Moreover, it seems that has slightly darker color.

4

Comparing screens. On the left the new iPod Touch, iPhone right

However, this is not a major drawback because in normal use, this is hardly noticeable. You have to look at the screen at an angle too extreme to be able to see it. On the other hand, we get a nasty surprise in the section on performance: although the new iPod Touch features the A4 powerful processor that owns the latest model of iPhone, do not have the same RAM capacity. Only has 256 MB, 512 MB against the iPhone 4.

Another great absence is the GPS chip. Engadget say they do not understand the reason behind the lack of this feature: since there are many uses for GPS available on the App Store, and knowing that this device could easily replace a Garmin or TomTom browser is not understood why not make that step forward. Honestly, I do not understand: This feature, along with the radio tuner may be what is needed for many to buy the iPod Touch. However, it is likely that the reason is the same for missing so many things: lower costs to attract customers with price, since to be attracted by its features is the iPhone 4.

As for the camera, not only has lower resolution and no LED flash as he knew, but also has "fixed-focus" instead of "auto-focus", so that when you tap the display area in which we want you to focus the camera, we'll see any results beyond a change in the white balance and exposure. The same applies to the focus of the front camera. However, it is noteworthy that more than one was struck by the quality that has the rear camera when recording videos. I really have a good image quality * (taking into account the simplicity of the camera, of course. Milagros does not), although I personally recommend taking care of the wind at the time of recording, since the shock produced by the air against the rear microphone can be quite annoying.

The fixed focus of the iPod from auto focus of the iPhone 4. Up seems unfair comparison

Turning to musical section, the sound quality is as good as can be expected. However, it is advisable to use the speakers, as might be expected by the thinness of the device, the volume is disappointingly low. It may be well to reproduce the different sounds of the game, but definitely not the best thing for music. However, since Engadget us ask this question: How often do you use an iPod to listen to music from your speakers, really? Personally, I think the real question is to test the sound when watching videos. And I add something to the same people Engadget said the low power of the speakers was uncomfortable when making a call FaceTime listened very low because the speaker's voice.

Finally, people at iFixit (link below) found no vibrator built into this new model of iPod Touch, although the Apple website said there would be "a vibrating alert" for FaceTime calls . Of course, since removed that reference. At another level of detail, also found that:

-Open the device is quite easy, as they have a heat gun and other appropriate items.

For the first Once this line of iPod, the headphone jack is not soldered to the logic board.

-front glass panel and LCD display are permanently fused so that the replacement of the screen becomes noticeably more expensive, because you have to buy both, but only damaged panel glass.

-Remover

fully display also requires removing the logic board.

Apple

-welded wires of the volume and sleep buttons to the logic board, so remove the latter becomes noticeably more difficult. Before they were connected via a ZIF connector.

-The battery is still soldered to the logic board as in previous models, which is a shame given the relative ease with which you can open the iPod.

"To those who questioned him, unfortunately there is no way to replace this camera for iPod iPhone 4: simply would not go given the limited space.

short :

The strong point over the previous generation iPod is in its ability to record videos in HD, and second (given the poverty of the speakers, and the limited compatibility of the application) calls FaceTime. Then follow the screen Retina, useful for using iBooks and access high-resolution games, and the camera if it is not a big deal, it might be preferable to having none. Moreover, one could say that this model is the iPod 3 what the iPhone 3G was for the iPhone 3G.

For more information, I recommend reading articles by:

AppleWeblog ( in Castilian) *

iFixit (English)

[ UPDATE: not want to leave to add a detail about the accessories that accompany the package sales of this model. Now comes with basic headphones instead of Apple headphones with microphone and remote control. It really took seriously the price reduction.]

[* UPDATE 2: in fact, it appears that is so good video quality that has this iPod, that even surpass the quality achieved by iPhone 4. Hard to believe, I personally do not rule it out but I assure you. In any case, it is worthwhile to see the comparison made in this entry . Slevin Thanks for the heads up! ]

iPod Nano

Photo taken by people from TechCrunch

More like an evolution of the iPod Shuffle, the device sparked more than a curiosity. Not much to say, as they knew what were the weaknesses of the device compared to its predecessor. Beyond this, other features appear to meet expectations to perfection: it is easy to carry, the battery supports 24 hours advertising, radio tuner works perfectly, and the multitouch respond as well as could be expected.

special features of the iPod, which has an operating system whose interface is quite similar to IOS, are the applications of audio and radio. The first gives us the option to create playlists, and perform automatic mixing looking for songs similar to each other by applying "Genius." The second, which requires headphones as the antenna used as not only allows us to tune in and listen to our favorite but it also gives us the option of saving stations as "favorites" and has the useful feature of recording the issue go, so we can rewind If you want to hear something a second time, and even pause.

Photo taken by people from TechCrunch

Continuing with the features, the new Nano has an application called "Voice Memos" that only becomes visible when connect a headset. A nice touch that allows us to record audio at the time, giving the device a small advantage over other players if we take into account that also allows us to view photos, watch the time and listen to podcasts.

Applesfera

Photo taken by people

However, in terms of materials, this iPod does not feel or as cheap as the Shuffle, not as luxurious as the Touch, so the user can give the impression that actually paid a few dollars more just to have a touch screen instead of buttons. Remember that despite being multitouch, only two things can be done using two fingers as tiny as the screen, the other actions had to be adapted to be performed with one finger.

Personally, I think that goes into each one. Obviously, no is the ideal device for viewing photos, much less to see videos. Anyone who owns an iPod Nano previous generation hardly want to lose several features (among which is a larger screen) to move to a smaller device, just because it has a touch screen.

However, I still think that for the user who wants a music player and have the desire to experience something new, this is the perfect iPod. Although it will be fulfilled as long as the buyer's idea is to win in design or style, because it lacks physical buttons, and have in place a screen that can be scratched, the Nano is not exactly the most practical iPod exists.

For more information, I recommend reading articles by:

AppleWeblog (in Castilian) *

iFixit (English)

[UPDATE 3 via Applesfera ]

The sixth and latest generation iPod nano also has, as in previous generations, diagnostic menu used to view the status of it and identify potential malfunctions . As this generation touch to access that menu to do a reset device and holding a certain combination of buttons as you want to achieve.

1 - To reset the device, you should press the buttons "Sleep" and "Volume Down" until Apple logo appears on the screen.

the 2nd - To access the Disk Mode (forces the Nano to appear as a USB drive, which acts to restore the firmware if needed) must be kept tight the two volume buttons after Apple logo appears on the screen. Entering Mode Disco, the touch screen goes Black and White.

2b - To access the Diagnostic Mode, you should press the three buttons at the same time once the Apple logo appears, until the screen displays a message saying "iTerm: iPod Display Console" .

3b - now in diagnostic mode, one can move through the menu using the volume controls.

iPod Shuffle

Photo taken by people from TechCrunch

Despite its size, the iPod has more buttons. In addition to the five buttons on the front of the clickwheel, the buttons are Continuous Play, Shuffle, and Off (the same button for 3, just change the position as each) and Voice Over.

More than one has asked, that are the buttons if there is no screen to tell us exactly what we are doing. However, the Voice Over helps us meet that need, according to the language of the song, the system will "read the title properly, so we know you are listening, or that we are about to track.

Moreover, its design is clearly minimal as everything from Apple, with a polished aluminum body and a clip to attach it where we will be more comfortable. With its small size, not connected to the computer using the typical 30-pin cable but through a very short USB cable that connects to the Shuffle through the headphone jack port. No doubt something very clever. Although this unique design and dual function as a charging cable connector and make it impossible to lose, because otherwise there is going to be another to go buy a new one. Luckily Apple helps us with the measurements of cable, making it more hard to miss / sarcasm .

Photo taken by people from TechCrunch. The added text is my original.

interesting thing about this model is that it has a small LED (shown in the above image, right next to the cable) that comes on when charging and every time you press a button. If your light is green, indicating that we have more than 50% of the battery, if the light is orange, we have less than 50% and over 25%, while if the light is red, we have less than 25%.

Without

However, under the heading negative reviews that we find mention that the controls do not have a way to block them to avoid accidentally pressing (which if it had the previous model) and therefore often ends up changing the song, or giving any other order the device accidentally. A pity the truth, especially considering that he probably choose to shuffle over the other models do looking for a product simple and easy to use, that does not require too much attention to use its functions. The athlete who wants to have their iPod without worrying about scratching the screen, going to have to worry then do not touch any buttons on a accidental.

For more information, I recommend reading articles by:

AppleWeblog (in Castilian) *

iFixit (in inlgés)

[ UPDATE: this model of iPod lacks compatibility with the WMA format]

Conclusion

Photo taken by people from TechCrunch

Definitely devices are no more perfect than you think you are. The iPod Touch is far from being "an iPhone without the phone application, rather it could be said to be a cheaper iPhone. The Nano is much less enjoy the functions lost at the rate of decrease in size. I have read more than one way to justify saying that "it makes sense that the Nano does not play video because the screen is too small" Can not you imagine that the Nano may well have a larger screen? On the other hand, the Shuffle and its lack of blocking for the versatility buttons make selling the product, lost almost completely.

Was it too much to ask that the iPod Touch has the same memory as the iPhone? Or that the Nano has a bigger screen? Or that the buttons on the Shuffle to crash? As always, all these faults have their right to market issues. We'll see if next year Apple follows the same path with these products, or is worthy to repair her faults. This will depend, as always, the number of sales. After all, this is a company that as such, seeks maximum profits with minimum possible budget.

Image uploaded by people at Gizmodo, they clarify that it is not their responsibility.

[Source: Gizmodo ]

[ UPDATE 4: As if the image does not leave him entirely clear, it does not hurt to mention that the people rose Applesfera Article in concluding that the manufacturing cost of the new iPod Nano is $ 45. Pretty little when compared against the $ 149 it costs to buy.]

* anything according to my taste, careful with that. However I recommend these articles because they do a very good tour of product features.