iPod Nano Watch

The iPod nano has just gotten a facelift. The device has now bigger icons, an FM radio and integrated into the Nike+ fitness program. A big plus is the dozen new digital clock faces, turning the iPod nano into perhaps the world's most high-tech, multipurpose digital wristwatch.

The updated iPod nanos come in an 8GB ($129) and 16GB ($149) model, while iPod nano watchbands start at $25; check out all of the watch face options in the gallery.

iPod as an Implanted Skin Watch: The Future is Here

Dave Hurban, a body piercer, tattoo artist and extreme gadget freak won't let go of his iPod, he has now attached the iPod on his wrist by securing them with metal studs used for piercings.



Hurban from Newfield, New Jersey, can now enjoy his playlist and tell time by just popping the iPod unto place. Hurban is quick to point out his process, he positioned the studs as the 4 corners of the iPod on his wrist and then inserted the base of these 4 titanium studs just beneath his skin. When the incisions finally healed, the iPod can be locked into place by the studs and an underlying magnet base.

“I just invented the strapless watch,” Dave proudly says about his iPod which he has set to display the digital time.

All About the iPod

With Apple's family of players so ubiquitous, and so similar in many ways, it's worth considering the advantages and shortcomings of iPods before going further with your buying decision. iPods are easy to use, thanks to the superb integration of the players and the company's iTunes software. The iTunes Store offers the largest selection of legal digital content on the Web, including virtually all the available downloads of major TV shows. The newest generation of iPod devices includes options such as a camcorder, 64GB of flash memory, and a 160GB hard drive. And iPods have an abundance of accessories to extend their use, from boom boxes and clock radios with iPod slots to iPod cases that come in many colors and fabrics. Other brands of players also have custom aftermarket equipment, and generic gear will let you pipe any player's music into a component sound system or a car stereo.

As for drawbacks, iPods typically cost a little more than non-Apple players with comparable capacity. And they have some special limitations, such as the inability to easily transfer music to any other devices that don't run iTunes. iPods require you to open iTunes to transfer music into the player; competing devices let you drag and drop music files without opening music-management software.

iPod wiith iCloud Service

Apple recently launched its iCloud service, which enables users of third- and fourth-generation iPod Touches, as well as newer iPhones and other Apple hardware, to upload their photos, music, and other files to Apple's servers, where they can be shared with up to 10 devices linked to your account. The devices need to be running the iOS 5 operating system and the latest version of iTunes 10.5 (a free upgrade). The service is free for the first 5GB but costs $20 a year for 10GB, $40 a year for 20GB, and $100 a year for 50GB. Another iPod option is iTunes Match, a $25-a-year service that saves you the time and trouble of uploading all your music to iCloud.

The Apple iPod Nano - Welcome the 6th Gen

The Apple iPod Nano (16 GB) (6th gen) is part of the MP3 player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, MP3 player models like the iPod Nano (16 GB) (6th gen) are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Ease of use mainly covers player characteristics that aid in convenience, versatility, and portability. These primarily include navigation and scrolling features; the accessibility and readability of the controls; and the readability and breadth of the information in the display (such as music-track data and battery-life indicator); size and weight; and ease of use while walking or jogging. Some features and capabilities considered include the presence of an FM radio, built-in microphone, upgradeable firmware, equalizer, data storage, software assessment, and the player's ability to be recognized as a hard drive by the computer without the installation of additional drivers.

Headphone quality reflects judgments from a listening panel comparing the player and its supplied headphone to a test audio CD and a high-fidelity headphone. All uncompressed (audio CD or WAV) test music sources were ripped (encoded) to MP3 format (128, 192, and 256 kbps CBR rate) using a high-quality encoder.

An iPod List of Must-Have Apps

PCMag.com comes up with a handy list of apps for your iPod- the best portable media player around! The apps are more on video calling, music and video options.

From Dropbox to Evernote, head off to PcMag's feature on iPod Apps