Rediscovering the iPod Nano sixth Gen… and dwelling with it

The grown-up iPod Shuffle

To me, the sixth-generation iPod Nano was a brand new product slightly than a continuation of the iPod Nano lineup. I see the Nano sixth technology as a grown-up and extra mature iPod Shuffle. When I began utilizing the iPod Nano sixth gen, I felt I wasn’t utilizing an iPod. For the longest time, I related iPods with both a click-wheel or multi-touch interface as seen on the iPod Touch. The sixth-generation iPod Nano doesn’t appear like any iPod I’ve in my assortment. It’s lower than half the dimensions of the iPod Nano fifth gen, measuring 40.9 x 8.8 x 37.5mm and weighing a mere 21 grams. The click-wheel was changed by a tiny 1.5-inch touchscreen.

The iPod Nano sixth gen has change into my morning companion. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Cased in aluminum and a big clip, it is nearer to the iPod Shuffle. I can simply clip the iPod onto my shirt or hold it inside my pocket and you will not know whether it is there. I all the time wished a tool that is small, trendy and handy every time I step out of dwelling and go on a stroll. You will discover three bodily buttons on prime, a headphone jack and the 30-pin connector for USB laptop sync and charging port, on the underside. The bigger Sleep/Wake button turns the display screen on and off, however there is no such thing as a dwelling button as you discovered on the iPhone. There aren’t any buttons to play-pause tracks; Instead, it’s important to activate the display screen (extra on that later) if you wish to management playback or change tracks.

The iPod with a distinction

I’m an enormous fan of the click-wheel-based interface and need Apple hadn’t stopped manufacturing the iPod Classic. With the sixth-generation iPod Nano, Apple converted to a touchscreen and I form of favored the strategy. Coming from the iPhone and iPad, I used to be fairly snug utilizing the Nano’s interface in 2022. Even although the display screen is fairly small and the show lacks multi-touch gestures (there’s just one two-finger gesture on the machine), navigating the interface feels intuitive like with all Apple merchandise.

Not solely do I exploit the iPod Nano sixth gen for listening to music but in addition use it for monitoring steps. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

When you energy the machine, you’ll discover that the display screen can maintain 4 rounded-corner icons and there are 4 screens that you would be able to swipe via along with your finger. Because there is no such thing as a dwelling button, you possibly can both swipe proper, or you possibly can faucet and maintain it within the middle of the display screen to return to the house display screen. Yes, I do really feel that with out the click-wheel discovering the music requires extra touches and awkward presses however the interface by no means feels to navigate. The iOS-style interface feels sensible for a tool just like the Nano, though it doesn’t provide many options (Sorry, no app help right here). I can simply transfer icons round, edit present playlists and create new ones, and the touchscreen interface allows you to rotate the display screen as per your liking.

Use it as a watch

I do not know when you bear in mind when the iPod Nano sixth technology hit the market, accent makers began promoting watch bands that flip the tiny music participant right into a wristwatch. In reality, an entire new marketplace for iPod Nano watchbands began to flourish approach again in 2011. On paper, the idea of the iPod Nano watch intrigued me and I considered shopping for a appropriate wristband on-line. The nano slips simply into the band and supplies full entry to all buttons in addition to the nano’s headphone jack. I eagerly tried for per week, largely throughout a morning stroll, and the iPod Nano watch sticks on my wrist. I just like the vibe and ease of the iPod Nano watch.’

In an age the place each gadget is internet-connected, the iPod Nano watch works simply advantageous with no companion cellphone. No Bluetooth connection, the absent Apple Music app, nonsensical WhatsApp messages buzzing at 5am, I began appreciating the iPod Nano watch extra. I’m nonetheless in awe of the 18 watch faces that include it together with Mickey Mouse. But the actual motive I believed why the iPod Nano watch is sensible is the truth that I may use the machine as a health tracker. The Nike+ health doesn’t provide superior health monitoring but it surely covers the fundamentals akin to steps depend, distance traveled and customized calorie depend and that works for me.

Even at present the iPod Nano sixth gen feels futuristic. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Of course, it could be silly to match the iPod Nano watch with the Apple Watch. You must keep in mind that the sixth-generation Nano got here out in 2010, 4 years earlier than Apple debuted the Apple Watch. Although Cupertino by no means pitched the Nano as a digital watch, I may see the shades of the Apple Watch within the digital music participant. The sixth-generation iPod Nano was, looking back, the primary signal that Apple wished to make a smartwatch. Instead of dashing and launching a half-baked product as everybody did at the moment, Apple began including digital watch faces in addition to well being and health options into an iPod already acquainted to shoppers.

I’ve been gathering iPods for years. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Why am I utilizing an iPod Nano sixth technology in 2022?

I lately reviewed the reimagined Nokia 6310. I began utilizing the sixth-generation iPod Nano for a similar motive. I carry a Nokia 6310 and iPod Nano after I step out for my morning stroll, leaving my iPhone 13 mini behind at dwelling. I wish to simplify my life, whether or not staying away from social media or reducing the noise of smartphone notifications. The sixth-generation iPod feels loads like my morning companion — somewhat, compact machine that not solely performs music (the sound high quality is terrific as anticipated) but in addition tells me the time and counts my steps. I’d have introduced my iPod Touch for my every day morning stroll, however I selected the iPod Nano sixth gen as a result of I wished an iPod that might be invisible in my pocket. The dimension and a built-in clip, and the truth that the iPod Nano sixth gen doesn’t have Wi-Fi, apps help or video play choice, is precisely what I used to be on the lookout for.

The invisible iPod. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

I’m not telling you to surrender on the iPhone or Apple Watch. The entire concept of ​​utilizing the iPod Nano sixth gen was to purely concentrate on listening to music and having fun with the second. I’m not all in favour of gazing a display screen on my cellphone early within the morning, I need not know what’s taking place in different individuals’s life…who went to the Maldives, who wore what final evening or what occurred within the final episode of Shark Tank. Admittedly, that was an issue I used to be not addressing for lengthy.