Calling All iPod Experts

[robottik]

Our current MP3 player is a bit long in the tooth and is short on memory, so I am thinking about getting my wife an iPod Nano for Christmas since she likes to listen to her tunes while doing stuff around the house.

So, all you iPod experts out there, I've got a few questions for you...

1) Can the iPod play MP3s or does it need to convert them to AAC first? I've got a ton of MP3s already. I would like to continue to rip my songs as MP3 for compatibility with my current MP3 player. I use iTunes to rip.

2) If you download/buy songs via iTunes, I assume they only come in the AAC format right? Are there any copying or burning limitations imposed on this format?

3) If/when the iPod's rechargeable battery eventually fails, can it be replaced easily and fairly inexpensively by myself? I believe Apple has a battery replacement option that costs $60, which to me sounds a bit pricey.

4) Has Apple addressed the easily-scratched screen issue it had when it first released the Nanos?

Thanks everyone, Rob

[jay]

Originally posted by robottik
Our current MP3 player is a bit long in the tooth and is short on memory, so I am thinking about getting my wife an iPod Nano for Christmas since she likes to listen to her tunes while doing stuff around the house.

So, all you iPod experts out there, I've got a few questions for you...

1) Can the iPod play MP3s or does it need to convert them to AAC first? I've got a ton of MP3s already. I would like to continue to rip my songs as MP3 for compatibility with my current MP3 player. I use iTunes to rip.

2) If you download/buy songs via iTunes, I assume they only come in the AAC format right? Are there any copying or burning limitations imposed on this format?

3) If/when the iPod's rechargeable battery eventually fails, can it be replaced easily and fairly inexpensively by myself? I believe Apple has a battery replacement option that costs $60, which to me sounds a bit pricey.

4) Has Apple addressed the easily-scratched screen issue it had when it first released the Nanos?

Thanks everyone, Rob

1) It'll play mp3s just fine.

2) The native iTunes Music store format is aac. There are ways to convert aac to mp3. If you're willing to tolerate a little quality loss just burn the aac's to an audio CD, then rip that CD as mp3s.

3) Never kept a single iPod long enough for the battery to fail. A friend has a first or second generation 20 gigger that is several years old and has a reduced battery life. I would not attempt a battery replacement myself, but do follow Apple's recommendations to get the most I can from a battery.

4) My personal opinion is that the screen is no more susceptible to scratches than any other iPod; because of the size and the way it was marketed, though, people were rougher with the nano than other iPods. Apple provides a (I think it's felt) sleeve to keep the nano and video iPods in - standard in the box.

I like the nano for use in the gym with the lanyard headphones, but need to remember to hold it close to me when I bend over the water fountain to take a drink of water. And the iPod menu inerface is far and away the easiest to use of any mp3 player out there.

[ramirami]

Originally posted by jay
And the iPod menu inerface is far and away the easiest to use of any mp3 player out there.

yup!!!!

[surferbum]

hi,

Have a 4G 40GB ipod, a shuffle and nanos' for the family (4 of them).

A great website for the ipod is


ipod Lounge

Some great gifts/accessories for the nano are:

• iSkin Duo of iPod Nano
• Kensington Stereo Dock For iPod
• Altec Lansing iPod inMotion Speaker System

[robottik]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I really like the form factor of the Nano and the user interface, and it should be a good fit for my wife when she's buzzing around the house.

I'll probably also pick up a case for the Nano and perhaps a car kit too

[robottik]

Update... I ordered the white iPod Nano 4GB. I personally like the black model but I think my wife will like the white better. I also ordered a case for it.

I ordered directly from Apple. A lot of other places were backordered and/or didn't offer engraving.

As far as shipping goes, all I can say is Holy Crap! I placed my order Sunday @ 5PM and it arrived just now (Wednesday 9AM). That's fast, especially considering I got the engraving too.

[CMasten]

Originally posted by robottik
Update... I ordered the white iPod Nano 4GB. I personally like the black model but I think my wife will like the white better. I also ordered a case for it.

I ordered directly from Apple. A lot of other places were backordered and/or didn't offer engraving.

As far as shipping goes, all I can say is Holy Crap! I placed my order Sunday @ 5PM and it arrived just now (Wednesday 9AM). That's fast, especially considering I got the engraving too.

Not sure I put this up here or not, but http://www.techbargains.com/ is a great site to check on internet deals happening ea day. Target now has them for 10% off , you can often get free engraving, free shipping etc. I check it before I place an order for any electronics its saved me a lot of money on toys I bought in 05.

[robottik]

Originally posted by CMasten


Not sure I put this up here or not, but http://www.techbargains.com/ is a great site to check on internet deals happening ea day. Target now has them for 10% off , you can often get free engraving, free shipping etc. I check it before I place an order for any electronics its saved me a lot of money on toys I bought in 05.

Thanks. I also use Techbargains a lot along with some other deal sites. Being a gadget junkie they have saved me hundreds of dollars this year alone!

But I couldn't get a deal in this case due to timing... I checked several sites, but most including Target are backordered on Nanos at least 2 weeks, and with Christmas around the corner, I opted for Apple who could ship right away.

PS - For everyone else out there, here is the Techbargains iPod deal page...

http://www.techbargains.com/cheapipods.cfm

[pilotx2]

Originally posted by jay

I like the nano for use in the gym with the lanyard headphones, but need to remember to hold it close to me when I bend over the water fountain to take a drink of water. And the iPod menu inerface is far and away the easiest to use of any mp3 player out there.

I fully agree with all that has been said. I currently have a G4 20g and a shuffle. I use the 20 in the Pilot with the denison icelink (leave it in the glovebox) and occasionally bring it in the house (hook to stereo) for parties. The shuffle is perfect when you are in an unfriendly environment like mowing the grass, workout in the gym, etc. The 2nd upside is that you can control it without looking at the screen. Very handy, I dont want to stop my workout or the mower to look at a screen.

That said, I still want a nano really bad. I just cant figure out where to use a 4GB ipod. I had a mini but traded it in on the shuffle. I will try and hold out for a 20gb nano ;-) She is gonna love the xmas gift!

[robottik]

I opened up my wife's Nano gift to load it up with songs, so she can play with it right away on Xmas day. I put about 2.5 gigs worth of songs on there... that should get her started!

At first I was surprised to see that the Nano came with a little leatherette (aka pleather) sleeve because the Apple site made no mention of this being included. But then I remembered an article mentioning that Apple starting including these after screen-scratch publicity it was getting.

Still I'm glad I got her a silicone case in addition because unlike the pouch you can still use the Nano while it's in the silicone case.

Anyway the Nano is one nice looking little gadget. And quite easy to use. I'm sure she will like it.

Now... I wonder what she is getting for me? I hope it's something cool like this!

[CMasten]

Well Robottik you made the right choice, I looked all weekend at the "Deals" there are a lot of them around but NO one has them in stock.. except Apple. Just ordered my wife one also for xmas, good idea on loading it up with music and charging it so its ready to go... I was going to put on a bunch of highlight photos from this year also. I am curious to see how long it takes them to ship it to me with the engraving after your 3 day experience.

[gymeni]

Have any of you had any issues with your iPod? My daughter had to have a repair (actually a replacement) done on hers when it was only about 2 months old. Now, a year later, she has a new issue and her iPod is out of commission. From just looking at the support section of the website it appears that the iPod is no stranger to mechanical failures and issues. We have been really disappointed with her iPod. Anyone?

[CMasten]

Originally posted by gymeni
Have any of you had any issues with your iPod? My daughter had to have a repair (actually a replacement) done on hers when it was only about 2 months old. Now, a year later, she has a new issue and her iPod is out of commission. From just looking at the support section of the website it appears that the iPod is no stranger to mechanical failures and issues. We have been really disappointed with her iPod. Anyone?

I have 3 minis and am now adding a Nano for the wife. I have had no issues at all other than an occasional hang which can be fixed with a good reboot. Hold the center and top buttons for about 3-5 seconds until you see the apple logo and it resets.

[gymeni]

Originally posted by CMasten


I have 3 minis and am now adding a Nano for the wife. I have had no issues at all other than an occasional hang which can be fixed with a good reboot. Hold the center and top buttons for about 3-5 seconds until you see the apple logo and it resets.

If I'm not mistaken I believe she's tried the reboot already. What initially happened this time around (before the reboot), is that the iPod dead/sad face icon appeared on her screen. She was eventually able to save her song data to her computer's hard drive (the first time she had a problem she wasn't able to do this and lost everything). Please excuse my terminology and relative iPod ignorance -- I'm not very familiar with the iPod and its workings. The bottom line is that the thing is no longer under warranty and I'm trying to weigh whether or not it will be worth me coming out of my pocket to fix... only to possibly have it crap out a 3rd time!

[CMasten]

Originally posted by gymeni

If I'm not mistaken I believe she's tried the reboot already. What initially happened this time around (before the reboot), is that the iPod dead/sad face icon appeared on her screen. She was eventually able to save her song data to her computer's hard drive (the first time she had a problem she wasn't able to do this and lost everything). Please excuse my terminology and relative iPod ignorance -- I'm not very familiar with the iPod and its workings. The bottom line is that the thing is no longer under warranty and I'm trying to weigh whether or not it will be worth me coming out of my pocket to fix... only to possibly have it crap out a 3rd time!

I have not seen that on mine as of yet, but would imagine the internal drive is having issues. The solid state PCB inside is either good or bad and other than the battery there is not much else to it. After you have all the music copied to your computer have you tried to just re-initialize the unit using the latest firmware upates at Apple? http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/