Every year, audiophiles seem to get restless once fall rolls around. Many of these are because Apple is ready to launch its new products. And for 2009, released on September 9, Steve Jobs launched the fifth generation iPod Nano to the world, which comes even more packed with new features, and in this new line comes the Apple iPod MC037, an 8 GB Nano unit that comes with a Blue polished anodized aluminum finish. Keeping in mind Apple’s penchant for setting the bar higher with every single product they release, the fifth-generation Apple iPod MC037 now comes with a video camera.
The new Apple iPod MC037 sports the same shape that has graced its previous model and has, as of now, completely ditched its third-generation design and stuck to what many would think is the best shape for the Nano. The latest Nano liner measures 3.5 inches tall, 1.6 inches wide, and is a quarter-inch thick in the middle.
Another upgrade from the previous model found in the Apple iPod MC037 is a slightly larger screen measuring 2.2 inches, the previous model was “only” 2 inches. This increase in screen size has allowed the Apple iPod MC037 to now display 12 lines of menu text, 2 more than before, and the other lists on the screen are bolder to make them more readable.
That same siding also got a new color finish that’s shiny and has a brushed-aluminum feel; think crisp and shiny Christmas ball ornaments. The best and easiest way to see if your iPod Nano is really the Apple iPod MC037 is to flip it over. New to this model is a video camera located at the bottom rear of the housing and rinses smoothly with the finish flow, unlike other camera lenses that protrude from the frame and are more susceptible to scratches.
For Apple iPod MC037, you may notice that the position of the dock and headphone ports have been reversed. This can cause some compatibility issues with aftermarket accessories and can result in a difficult fit. Fortunately, a universal adapter is available, sold separately.
Being the main ingredient added to the Apple iPod MC037 and the rest of the fifth generation iPod Nano, the video camera is what most people are curious about. First of all, if you are expecting a high-quality camera, you will surely be disappointed. It does not provide HD quality videos and cannot even take photos. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing good about it. Mainly, the ease of use is something to be happy about. With just two clicks of the wheel, you’re already recording. The video camera has a resolution of 640×480 pixels that records in MP4 and H.264 format. While you probably won’t use this to film your family vacation, it can come in very handy in the right situations. Surprisingly, the microphone records very well. It can pick up quiet conversations from eight to ten feet away with no problem and provides highly audible output.
The next one, and one of the most demanded, because it is the last portable multimedia player to show it off, is the FM player. It provides excellent reception, although you should use the headphones and not the built-in speaker, as the Apple iPod MC037 uses it as an antenna.
All in all, the Apple iPod MC037 remains the exceptional MP3 player that the iPod is known for. And with the addition of more features to an already exceptional device, you can expect it to get better.