Apple iPod Nano 5G Gets a Video Camera – Hassles Flip Cams

You’re probably aware that there was a little shin-dig where some new iPods were unleashed yesterday evening.

Out of the new line-up the one, for me, that deserves most attention is the Nano 5G.

Form wise it doesn’t seem that different from the Nano 4G – the screen seems slightly larger and the rainbow colour choice of the body seems glossier than before – but all in all no big change.

It even works just like the previous model with one exception – the main menu now has the option to crank up a camera so you can capture flicks.

Those ad hoc clips are recorded at 640×480 pixels in H.264 MPEG-4, and you can listen to the audio through a new built-in speaker albeit in mono.

The oddity is that there’s no option to take stills – not entirely sure why: it has a camera…….

The simplicity of recording mini films is similar to the benchmark Flip mini-camcorders – one button to start and another to finish – sorted! I can see this little player taking a slice of the casual mini fun cam market without much problem

Your shots are saved in date marked folders and you can even flick through them whilst listening to the FM radio

A surprise addition (keeping in mind the still camera oversight) is the pedometer – now, given the option between being able to count how many steps it’s taken me to get to the bar or the ability to take pictures of my friends gradual inebriation I know which one I’d go for.

I reckon Apple has managed to make the Nano into another competent Swiss Army Knife of a media player.

Good looks, decent storage, pocketable size, video recording and saving, a pedometer (??!!!??) and the prices aren’t too painful:

• £115 for the 8GB flavour
• £135 for the 16GB version

But c’mon – a step counter instead of being able to snap stills?

Anyone got a reason for this?  Let me know huh?

You can grab one right now from the Apple Web site!

Related posts:

1. Apple iPod Touch 64GB Lands Without a Camera and Nano Can’t Take Stills – Here’s Why
2. Quirky Kickster – iPod Nano 5G Case With Video Grip and Stand for Under $20
3. Gear4 Video Buddy – From iPod Nano to Widescreen TV

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