Apple iPod nano (4th gen) review

Apple's fourth-generation iPod nano returns to the original long, light, and slender formula that put the series on the map. Offered in an attractive range of nine colours for both the 8GB iPod nano (£109) and 16GB iPod nano (£149) models, Apple has yet again raised the MP3 player bar.

Design
The nano 4G feels impossibly light and thin, with a seamless metal construction that prevents it from snapping like a twig. A slightly curved design gives the nano 4G the essence of an aeroplane wing, repeating the rounded design themes of Apple's iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch. Compared with the short, squarish design of last year's nano, the long, tapered body of the fourth-generation nano is more comfortable to grasp.

The fourth-generation iPod nano (left) uses the same screen found on last year's model (right)

Curved glass now covers the screen, giving it better resilience against scratches -- in theory. The curve of the glass screen lies flush with the slight curve of the nano's body, and although the glass is inherently glossy and reflective, we didn't notice a diminished viewing quality compared with last year's model.

The shape may have softened, but the dimensions of the fourth-generation nano are nearly identical to the second-generation version, measuring 39mm wide by 91mm high but just 6mm thick -- the thinnest iPod yet. Its 51mm (2-inch) screen size remains unchanged from the previous model, as well as its scroll wheel control. Headphone and dock connections are located on the bottom, and a sliding hold switch makes a reappearance on top of the player (another throwback to the second-generation design).

Because Apple has flipped the nano's screen on its side, menus and user interface get a dramatic overhaul from last year's model. Menu text size has increased slightly and album cover art takes up less real estate on the main menu. In a bid to increase the accessibility for people with impaired vision, Apple has included a font size setting on the fourth-generation nano that makes its menus more legible -- a cool feature even if you have 20/20 vision. The music playback screen now presents full-screen album art by default, and Cover Flow view is zippier than before, offering alphabetisation letters below the covers when you quickly flip through your collection.

Features
All of the features from last year's nano have migrated to the fourth-generation model, including music, video and podcast playback, as well as extras such as photos, calendar, games, alarms, stopwatch, contacts, notes and clocks. Apple also added a few features that make the 4G nano more compelling than its predecessors.

A new Genius feature lets you create an instant 25-song playlist based around the musical characteristics of a single song. The Genius feature is easy to use, and the results are fun, provided your music collection holds enough songs to make interesting connections. To create a Genius playlist, find a song you like and hold the nano's centre button until you see a Start Genius menu option. You can save Genius playlists directly onto your nano, but you won't be able to transfer these back to your computer through iTunes.

Oddly, the nano's Genius feature won't work if haven't enabled Genius on your computer's iTunes software. If you find iTunes' Genius feature too demanding on your computer's resources or too invasive of your privacy (the feature reports your listening habits to Apple), then you'll need to live without the feature on your iPod as well.