Apple adds video camera, larger screen to new 5G iPod nano
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 9th 2009 12:51PM
posted Sep 9th 2009 12:51PM
As for other specs, you'll find a built-in FM tuner with Live Pause (!) and iTunes Tagging, a pedometer (you know, for that fancy Nike+ integration), VoiceOver, support for voice memos and a larger 2.2-inch display (up from 2.0-inches) with a 376 x 240 resolution. As for the camera, we're told that the video capture mode snags footage in VGA quality (640 x 480) H.264, with up to 30fps and AAC audio. If you're feeling fancy, there's also 15 real-time special effects including Sepia, Black and White, X-Ray, Film Grain, Thermal, Security Cam, Cyborg, Bulge, Kaleido and Motion Blur (among others). As for dimensions, the 5G nano remains identical to the 4G nano at 3.6- x 1.5- x 0.24-inches, though it somehow shaves a whopping 0.02 ounces as it climbs down from 1.3 to 1.28 ounces. Curious about battery life? Apple claims that the new nano can last up to 24 hours when playing back audio (same as 4G nano), while video playback should zap the rechargeable battery in just five hours (which is up an hour over its predecessor).
Update: Check out our first hands-on live from the event!
Why is it on the bottom? Wouldn't your hands get in the way?
Of course, you can't really use it anyway, like pretty much any apple cameras... Still hoping the iPhone camera will sometimes catch up with Nokias or SE...
Sorry folks, but that was a huge disappointment.
Props to the totally upgrade Nano....but still, no love for the Touch, except a price drop and speed bump (32GB and 64GB only).
That was f-ing WEAK!
@App4That
Troll4AllTheRightReasons elsewhere, please.
I like camera in mp3 player but placement is... kinda weird.
It's so they can further upgrade it to a model with the camera in the right place.
Yep location location location!;) lol
Actually, I think it makes some sense. The nano is designed with a clickwheel at the bottom of the device right? (I don't own one so forgive any assumptions on my part) And you have to use that clickwheel to actuate the shutter on the camera. I'm guessing you push the center button to snap a photo? If that's so, then all you do is
*wait for it*
Hold the player upside down so your thumb is pressing the clickwheel. Sounds reasonable, no?
Now do I get a prize for a guess?? :D No? Oh. Well. I tried...
The Nano is a great refresh, but the lens placement is terrible.
Combined with the rest of the design it practically makes one-handed shooting impossible.
5 hours of video! removable battery? That might suck if you forgot to charge it. Nice upgrades though
Rogue_Genius nailed it.
They probably had iPod touches with cameras in it too .. but he didn't announce it cause they got pissed that it was leaked. Ess Jobs wanted to screw off the rumor sites.
@Rogue_Genius that would make sense except for two reasons:
1) that places the button on the left center of the camera.
2) every other camera has the button on the top right.
So where's Apple's brilliant useabilty? Don't give me the "reinventing for best placement" otherwise they would have fixed all keyboards by now to use simulated annealing to modify typing placement to best suit individual typist's needs.
"Combined with the rest of the design it practically makes one-handed shooting impossible." ~Jon
That's what she said!
But really, I'm just trying to understand why you couldn't just use both hands...oh, right...but it doesn't have image stabilization, talk about shaky video.
Are you guys freaking insane... how about the fact that there is no STILL photo capabilities... hence the lack of sensor resolution. We've all come to think that if there is video... there must be stills. But it's no where to be found, and Apple does a great job always wording it "Video Camera."
Engadget... Update your post
@ Zune Claus
The camera is on the bottom because you hold the iPod sideways as you can see from pretty much every picture in the gallery. Your hands won't get in the way.
You hold it front if you're using a camera on a phone.
You hold it sideways if you're an ordinary digital camera or iPod.
Is it just me, or have Apple left a couple of chimps staffing the iPod division while all the engineers got moved into the iPhone division?
Who cares, it got a freakin X-RAY CAMERA MODE!!!!!!!
Considering the placement it could only be usable by lefties. If it were on the opposite side then it could be hold as a camera and controlled via the click wheel.
The location is horrendous. No amount of "hold it upside down" or "obviously Apple meant for you to hold it sideways" babble will change the fact that this is a sad, me too feature (probably) using a sensor that would have been crappy for cell phone photos in 2003.
FWIW, the reason for the location is to keep things slim. You can't put a camera lens, a sensor, and an LCD back to back and expect to get it on either edge of the Nano. Maybe they could have fit it in the middle of the top, but that would've meant both a poorer location for horizontal shooting and an interruption of their logo aesthetic. And nobody wants to interrupt Apple's logo aesthetic, because then what would you have?
I wonder what res it will do, since they compare it to the FLIP...
Don't hold your breath. If you get 480p, you'll be lucky.
No way their doing 720P, like the Flip MinoHD. Notice they had the standard Flip and did not show the MinoHD version?
I love how they called it "free". As in, "free if you were going to buy a new iPod".
It's completely and utterly ridiculous that they didn't add video to the Touch. It's the premium iPod device . . . . all iPod touch buyers should be pissed about this. If you want an iPod Touch and you want video capabilities, you need a Touch and a Nano. Stupid.
If it does any better than blurry VGA, I'll be really surprised.
Exactly. Is it an HD video camera?
30FPS VGA is actually better than most of the freebie phones you get on contract. Weird thing is, if they had such good sensors why can't they take stills?
in b4 battery life
a swing....
and a miss...
Really think this belongs on the ipod touch myself :-\
They probably didn't put in there because they don't want it to come to close to the iphone...
I suppose that makes sense...I just dont think a camera makes sense on the nano :P
I agree.. it would make people not need the iPhone as much. ATT would lose customers, because the iPod Touch would be everything but the shi**y service.
he said *touch himself*
This thing is perfect for my mom. She needs an update from her 2004 iPod and also loves recording her steps as she walks everyday. This thing is great! Guess it's to make up for the boring iPod Touch and Classic updates. Definitely getting a Nano today for her now.
Since when did Apple care about AT&T?
^^^...since Google Voice got the Kibosh
@Victor:
Well, you nailed it with the "shitty service" part >_>.
Only reason they didn't add a camera to the touch was to make sure people had a reason to buy the nano/regular ipod.
@AltairAntares
No, the only reason they didn't add a camera to the iPod Touch was to give people a reason to buy the iPhone. They want people to buy that instead of a $199 player where they get no subscription residuals. Now with the 3.1 update, the camera is more attractive than ever and they know it.
How about this for an idea. Nano's updates were developed to put a clear distinction between products but also to crush the FLIP (147 Flip vs 149 Nano) When CISCO updates the FLIP to HD to justify another price jump, Apple steps in with the Touch camera @ 780 resolution...no more FLIP.
I think the chemo and the new liver screwed with his ability to make rational decisions.
"Duh.... let's put the camera lens.... here!"
They can squeeze in a camera and a FM transmitter in a Nano but can't do the same in the Touch?
I think I've been waiting for a new iPod, longer than most people. (I'm still using my 2nd and 3rd Gen iPod) It seems, I will be waiting a little longer...
The innovatioins never stop.
* cough *
yeah, voice recording, FM radio, camera... those are all so new!!! MUST BUY!!!!
/sarcasm
...and FM radio? Looks like this thing is trying to compete with the Zunes... at least last years.
Zune with 1% marketshare based on latest stats, no one needs to compete with Zune,
not even Creative or Sandisk. :)
too little, too late
Yes, and I am sure that Zunes will compete with last year's iPod sales.
Or maybe the first year sales of the iPod?
Down rank the reality away!
I dont know I still think that ZuneHD is going to be better... even without the camera......
An FM radio on an mp3 player, welcome to 2002 Crapple.
@the first 3: Good job, idiots. Do you really think the addition of FM radio had nothing to do with the Zune? Come off it, you're being ridiculous.
@skeezle
"Down rank the reality away!'
Good to know that your version of reality is something that hasn't even happened yet.
And the Zen from a few years ago!