Apple on Wednesday introduced the iPod nano, its replacement for the enormously popular iPod mini. The portable music player is available in 2GB and 4GB capacities for US$199 and $249 respectively, and is also available in both black and white designs.
The iPod nano weighs 1.5 ounces and is thinner than a standard #2 pencil, according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who spoke at a special event on Wednesday morning. Unlike the iPod mini, the nano features a color screen, but uses the Click Wheel familiar to iPod mini users and newer iPod users.
It also features the same 30-pin dock connector as the iPod and iPod mini, making the nano compatible with more than 1,000 accessories designed for the iPod. Featuring “Auto-Sync” technology, the iPod nano can keep up to date with changes to your digital music library, podcasts and digital photos. The color screen enables users to view album art, photo slideshow and play built-in games in color. Apple estimates the rechargeable internal battery lasts for 14 hours at a stretch.
Other new features include a world clock, stopwatch and lap timer and screen lock application. System requirements for the iPod nano call for Mac OS X v10.3.4 or later and iTunes 4.9; it also supports various flavors of Windows.