Every year, audiophiles seem to start worrying as soon as fall rolls around. Many of them are because Apple is ready to release its new products. And for 2009, released on September 9th, Steve Jobs launched the 5th generation iPod Nano that comes even more packed with goodies, and in this new lineup comes the Apple iPod MC037, an 8GB Nano device that comes with Blue polished anodized aluminum. Given Apple’s tendency to raise the bar with every product they release, the 5th generation Apple iPod MC037 now comes with a video camera.
The new Apple iPod MC037 features the same shape that graced its predecessor and has completely abandoned, for now, its 3rd generation design and sticks to what many would consider the best shape for the Nano. The newest Nano case measures 3.5 inches tall, 1.6 inches wide, and is a quarter-inch thick in the middle.
Another improvement from the previous model found in the Apple iPod MC037 is a slightly larger screen that measures 2.2 inches, the previous model had “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, making them more readable.
The same shell also received a new color finish that is glossy and has the feel of polished aluminum; think shiny baubles. The best way, and the easiest, to see if your iPod Nano is really an Apple iPod MC037 is to turn it over. New to this model is a video camera located at the bottom of the back of the body and smoothly flush with the flow of the coating, unlike other camera lenses that protrude from the frame and are more prone to scratches.
For the Apple iPod MC037, you may notice that the position of the dock and headphone ports is reversed. This may cause some compatibility issues with aftermarket accessories and may result in difficult installation. Fortunately, a universal adapter is available, sold separately.
Being the main added ingredient for the Apple iPod MC037 and the rest of the 5th generation iPod Nano, the video camera is what most people care about. Firstly, if you are expecting a high quality camera, you will surely be disappointed. It doesn’t provide high definition videos and it can’t even take pictures. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing good about it. First of all, the ease of use is something to be happy about. With just two clicks of the wheel you are already recording. The video camera has a resolution of 640×480 pixels and records in MP4 and H.264 format. While you probably can’t use this to film your family vacation, it can come in very handy in the right situations. Amazingly, the microphone records remarkably well. It can pick up a quiet conversation about eight to ten feet away without any problems and provides plenty of sound output.
Next and one of the most sought after as it is the last portable media player to have one is the FM player. It provides excellent reception, although you have to use the headphones rather than the built-in speaker as the Apple iPod MC037 uses it as an antenna.
Overall, the Apple iPod MC037 is still the outstanding MP3 player that the iPod is known for. And with more features added to an already outstanding widget, you can expect it to only get better.