New versions of nano and shuffle hit the stores
This week Apple released the new 8 Gb iPod nano, a device that can hold up to 2000 songs. The iPod is a popular device among CU students and has gained a friendly following across the nation. In an Apple press release, Steve Jobs said, "iPod nano is the world’s most popular digital music player, and we’ve completely redesigned it to make it even better." The nano is also thinner than before. A quarter inch thick, it can easily slip into a pocket or purse. The nano now also comes in a shiny aluminum casing and is more durable than before. The new iPod also includes a feature that allows the user to automatically add songs to the iPod, keeping the list fresh. Apple also released a reworked version of its iPod shuffle. The shuffle, which can store up to 240 songs, is about the size of a matchbook and can be easy to lose. "Nearly half the size of the original, the new iPod shuffle is just half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce and features a stunning all-new aluminum design and a built-in clip which makes it the most wearable iPod ever," said Apple. The shuffle does not have a screen but will shuffle through songs randomly, hence the name, and provides people with a laid back music experience. Like the nano, the iPod shuffle will also automatically switch out songs when hooked to a computer. Not everyone is so excited about the new iPod "The iPod’s software is too proprietary," said Craig Talbert, a senior psychology major. "Apple will only let people use their software and is too controlling." Apple does have its own specialized software, and will only let the iPod work with it, which is a common reason many people choose not to buy the iPod. At $249 a pop, the iPod nano is not cheap. But what it lacks in thriftiness, the nano makes up in style. The new iPod is trendy, smart and sleek, and that is exactly what some students want. Jennifer Bach, a sophomore history major, said, "I don’t have an iPod, but [the nano] looks good and might actually fit in a girl’s pocket."
