Hey guys, it’s Greg with Apple Explained, and today we’re going to explore the history
of the iPod nano by covering each model and discussing key features and improvements over
their predecessors.
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Now before we get in to all the different models of the iPod Nano, let’s first talk
about the circumstances surrounding its release.
The iPod nano was a replacement for the iPod mini, and this move was very risky at the
time since the newest model of iPod Mini was released just eight months before and was
selling very well.
Actually, I remember seeing these colorful iPods everywhere at school and in public since
the iPod mini was the best-selling model up to that point.
But Steve Jobs knew Apple had to replace the iPod mini with something even better since
other manufacturers were beginning to catch up with its design and features.
So in September 2005 that’s exactly what Apple did.
Jobs took the stage and unveiled the original iPod Nano in the most spectacular way possible
[clip]
The nano
was almost half the thickness of the iPod mini and introduced all kinds of new features
like flash storage, which meant there were no moving parts, making the device even more
durable and compact.
This alone was a huge benefit since the iPod Nano was a portable device and would likely
be dropped from time to time.
Now when considering the dramatic difference between the iPod Nano and mini, you’d think
Apple must’ve spent years developing the nano.
But in reality, the nano began development just nine months prior to its release date.
And although the iPod mini was offered in color, Apple limited the first gen iPod nano
to black and white.
It was available in two storage sizes, 2 GB which held 500 songs for $199, and 4 GB which
held 1000 songs for $249.
This was a big accomplishment at the time considering the original iPod released four
years earlier also held 1000 songs but was much larger than the nano.
Later on in the iPod Nanos lifecycle, Apple lowered its entry price to $149 by releasing
a 1 GB model which held 250 songs.
This generation of iPod Nano achieved 14 hours of battery life which was pretty impressive
considering it’s size, and that it featured a backlit, 1.5” color display.
Now I should mention that six years later, in 2011, Apple recalled all 1st generation
iPod nanos that were made between September 2005 and December 2006 because of overheating
batteries that could catch fire.
Now Apple said the possibility of the incident was rare, but the likelihood increased as
the battery aged.
So Apple started a replacement program where you could mail in your old first gen iPod
nano, and they’d send you the current iPod Nano model for free.
But there were other complaints about the 1st gen nano, like the screen, since it was
prone to scratching and cracking.
Apple acknowledged the faulty screens, but said that just one tenth of one percent of
nanos were effected.
But a class action lawsuit followed, which was eventually settled with Apple paying $15-$25
to each person involved.
But despite these technical issues, the first generation nano was a huge success.
Apple sold a million units in just 17 days, and that helped earn Apple more than a billion
dollars in 2005.
A year later, in September 2006, Apple introduced the 2nd generation iPod nano.
This time it took some design cues from the Mini, since it featured an anodized aluminum
case that was scratch resistant, and it was available in a variety of colors, instead
of just black and white.
The display was also improved, since it was 40% brighter.
And storage doubled to 2, 4, and 8 GB.
Apple also limited the nanos color options based on the models storage size.
The cheapest 2GB model was only available in silver, while the most expensive 8GB model
was only available in black.
But the 4GB model had the most color options including blue, green, silver, and pink.
A red nano was introduced later on, first for the 4GB model and later for the 8 GB model
too.
It was created in partnership with the Product (RED) campaign which meant Apple would donate
$10 for each unit sold to help fights HIV/AIDS in eight African countries.
The Red model cost the same as the other colors and was a huge success.
Besides storage improvements, all 2nd gen iPod Nano models had their battery life increased
by 10 hours, now lasting 24 hours as compared to 14 with the first generation.
There were also software improvements, like added search options and gapless playback.
The following year, in September 2007, Apple launched the third generation nano.
This time, its design changed even more than before, since it adopted a square-shaped body
as opposed to rectangular.
This allowed for a larger 2” display but came at the cost of weight, since the third
gen nano was heavier than its predecessor.
It also marked the return of the stainless steel back from the first generation while
keeping a colorful aluminum front.
Some new software features were also added like Cover Flow, although it was extremely
laggy at launch until Apple released a firmware update to resolve the issue.
The third gen nano could also play videos, games, and movie rentals from iTunes.
It was available in silver, red, green, blue, pink and black.
With silver still exclusive to the 4GB model, and all other colors available with the 8GB
model.
Battery life remained unchanged with the same 24 hours of music playback, and 5 hours of
video playback.
Now the following 4th generation iPod nano was released in 2008 and returned to its traditional
rectangular design.
This model was thinner than all previous iterations, and featured more color options than ever
before.
Both the 8 and 16 GB models were available in silver, black, purple, light blue, orange,
yellow, green, pink and red.
This generation of nanos were also very environmentally friendly, since they didn’t contain any
mercury, arsenic, BFR, or PVC, and its materials were highly recyclable.
The display was the same size as the 3rd generation nano but rotated vertically to fit inside
its rectangular design.
Because of this, the display could be viewed in portrait or landscape modes, thanks to
the built-in accelerometer.
When rotating the device you would enter landscape mode which activated the Cover Flow interface,
and it’d play videos in this orientation too.
The accelerometer could also be used for shuffling songs just by shaking the device.
And Apple introduced a new Maze game to the iPod Nano that used the accelerometer as the
primary game mechanic.
There were some software changes on this iPod Nano, besides the modernized interface, the
4th generation also had the Apple "Genius" feature that would automatically create playlists
based on your own personal music preferences.
Also, it had support for voice memos through an external mic or Apple in-ear headphones.
The 4th gen nano was available in 4, 8, and 16GB versions, with the 4GB model only available
in Europe.
Battery life was still the same 24 hours for audio playback, but decreased to 4 hours for
video playback.
And as a new year arrived, so did a new iPod nano.
The fifth-generations design remained pretty much the same as its predecessor, but it had
a shinier aluminum finish and featured a larger 2.2” display.
It was again available in nine different colors, Red, green, pink, silver, black, purple, blue,
yellow and orange.
But the most significant change to the fifth gen iPod nano was the addition of a video
camera with 16 special effects.
It recorded 480p video but wasn’t capable of taking still photos.
And Apple marketed this video camera feature as a replacement for dedicated portable camcorders
that were exploding in popularity back in 2009.
In addition to the video camera, the new iPod nano had a built-in microphone, speaker, FM
tuner, iTunes tagging, and a pedometer with Nike+iPod support.
The fifth gen nano was still available in 8 and 16GB models, but this time the larger
capacity model was only $30 more at $179.
And the battery capacity for video playback increased to 5 hours.
Now in 2010, Apple announced the 6th generation iPod nano, which was the most radical change
to the nano line yet, since it abandoned the click wheel in favor of a touch screen.
It also had a completely square design with an integrated clip which made it the first
wearable iPod Nano.
This new design made the 6th generation nano 46% smaller and 42% lighter than its predecessor.
And while the display was smaller than on the 5th generation at about 1.5”, it featured
a higher pixel density for better clarity.
This model still had an accelerometer, pedometer, and FM tuner, but the video camera was removed
and it didn't allow video playback like many of its predecessors.
The following year, 2011, marked the first time the iPod Nano didn’t receive a hardware
update.
Instead, Apple updated its software.
New features included larger icons which would display one app at a time instead of four,
the nike+ app no longer required shoe sensors, the clock had 16 new watch faces and Apple
added some new backgrounds.
It was also possible to change songs or pause by double-clicking the sleep button.
And holding the same button would turn the nano off.
I should also mention that the 6th generation iPod nano ran a modified version of iOS, but
it didn’t have an app store, so you couldn’t add 3rd party apps like on the iPod Touch
or iPhone.
Now this model was available in 8 and 16GB versions and seven colors.
And just like its predecessor, its battery lasted 24 hours for music playback.
Now something special happened with this iPod Nano that I don’t think even Apple anticipated.
Users started clipping their nanos to watch bands and used the device as a smartwatch,
keep in mind the Apple Watch hadn’t been made yet.
And although Apple never really intended the iPod Nano to be used this way, third party
watch bands for the 6th generation iPod Nano started appearing everywhere, which led to
even more users wearing their nanos as smartwatches.
And even when the first Samsung Galaxy Gear was released in 2013, the 6th gen iPod nano
was considered to be a better performing, more affordable alternative to the Gear smartwatch.
Now the final, 7th generation iPod nano was released in September 2012, and was only available
in 16 GB.
It was also the thinnest iPod nano Apple had ever made.
It supported Bluetooth 4.0 headsets, speakers, car stereos and heart-rate monitors.
The FM radio was still included but only worked with Apples wired headphones since they served
as an antenna.
And speaking of headphones, this model of nano was the first to include Apple's new
EarPods which were selling like crazy at the time.
And once again the iPod Nano supported video playback, although the video camera did not
return.
It still had a multi touch screen but this time it measured 2.5 inches, which was the
largest display of any iPod Nano model.
Beneath the screen was a home button, just like the iPod touch, which was also a first
for the nano.
And the software interface changed with this generation, featuring round icons instead
of the usual rectangular shape found on other iOS devices.
This iPod nano was available in seven colors, which were refreshed in 2015.
And on July 27, 2017, the iPod nano was officially discontinued.
Now if you want a brand new iPod Nano today, you can probably find one on eBay, but you’ll
have to shell out extra cash since most of them are selling well above the previous $149
retail price.
So that is the history of the iPod Nano, and if you want to vote for the next video topic,
don’t forget to subscribe.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time.