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I just ordered a nano for my wife yesterday, and after reading your article I realized that it's not going to receive power from the power adapter she uses in the car. We were using a SiK imp, line-out/power (firewire) car adapter to power and to plug into the stereo. Is there anything like this out there that powers via USB instead of firewire?

Macworld said:

I don't see any way possible that you could sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket! I've had it in the front pockets of my Levi's, baggy shorts, loose fit jeans, and workout shorts. Of course, I haven't attempted back pockets; I would never do that anyway. But I would like to hear any experiences -- I may be wrong. Can you describe one specific way the nano would move in your pocket and brutally injure you when you sit down?

[quote name='mistergsf']
> [quote name='Macworld']
> in fact, the nano?s tapered sides make for corners that can be brutal if you sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket.

I don't see any way possible that you could sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket! I've had it in the front pockets of my Levi's, baggy shorts, loose fit jeans, and workout shorts. Of course, I haven't attempted back pockets; I would never do that anyway. But I would like to hear any experiences -- I may be wrong. Can you describe one specific way the nano would move in your pocket and brutally injure you when you sit down?
[/quote]

The new nano is considerably taller than the previous version. If, for example, it's in the front pocket of non-baggy jeans, it can give you a sharp stab when you sit down. I say that from personal experience ;)

[quote name='mistergsf']
> [quote name='Macworld']
> in fact, the nano?s tapered sides make for corners that can be brutal if you sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket.

I don't see any way possible that you could sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket!
[/quote]

"It was a million-to-one shot, Doc." - Frank Costanza

[quote name='Dan Frakes']
> [quote name='mistergsf']
> > [quote name='Macworld']
> > in fact, the nano?s tapered sides make for corners that can be brutal if you sit down wrong with the nano in your pocket.
The new nano is considerably taller than the previous version. If, for example, it's in the front pocket of non-baggy jeans, it can give you a sharp stab when you sit down. I say that from personal experience ;)
[/quote]

Well, not to minimize your experience but the new nano is 90.7mm as opposed to 90mm for the 2nd generation. I guess I wouldn't call that "considerable" so let's just say it's subjective.

I'm wearing a pair of 501's right now and they are pretty tight fitting, especially in the pockets. I've got my nano in there right now and it's just not happening. Even if I physically move it up from the bottom of my pocket closer to the opening where my leg bends, aside from being more worried about damaging it, I don't feel any sharp stabbing. Again, not doubting your experience, my point was to downplay the "brutal" description, I guess. But you speak from experience so one can get injured or hurt and it should be noted to potential buyers.

Since the nano 4G has a form factor very similar to the 1G and 2G, does anyone know if the old 1G or 2G lanyard earphones work on the 4G. My wife loves them. If they don't work any other options?

mistergsf said:

I was comparing it to the previous version -- the 3G -- which was almost an inch shorter.

[quote name='Dan Frakes']
> [quote name='mistergsf']
> > The new nano is considerably taller than the previous version...
>
> Well, not to minimize your experience but the new nano is 90.7mm as opposed to 90mm for the 2nd generation. I guess I wouldn't call that "considerable" so let's just say it's subjective.

I was comparing it to the previous version -- the 3G -- which was almost an inch shorter.
[/quote]

D'oh. Sorry 'bout that! I had the 2G on my mind because of the same form factor minus the more tapered sides. The top and bottom of those 2G's had relatively sharp edges.

I have a MacBook Air and the thin sharp edges of that are more of a pain than the Nano and that is fact. The Air is so thin on the edges that it rubs into your wrist when typing and it is actually on your lap... you know lap top!
If the reviewers want something to write and inform about, do some real homework rather than speculating on a product that has been in the hands of anybody for oh .. less than a week.
I had the new Nano in my hands today and the thought that would be a problem is a nonsense. To finish this minor rant, a large amount of folks will have a nice little case for their I pod,
In summary I guess that in order to have a compelling column, some need to find some negative to write about.

lee said:

This wasn't speculation; it was a hands-on review. I'm sorry you didn't find anything in it that was informative.

Quote

If this minor point I mentioned is not a problem for you, great. But a good number of people complained about the sharp edges on the 2G nano, and this one is empirically worse in that respect. So it was worth noting. The reader can make up his or her mind as to whether or not that's enough of an issue to not buy it. Given my rating of the nano and my overall glowing comments, it's pretty obvious I think it's a great device.

Painfully sharp and brutal are characterizations that caught my attention and thus my response.
While you may have had the Nano in your possession for a week, I sincerely doubt that "painfully sharp" or "brutal" is something that you experienced, however that was an assumption on my part.
My comment was intended to to point out that in my opinion that was perhaps a bit over the top in describing the revision.
If that turns out to be validated based on my own use, I will retract what I believe was a valid observation. BTW I am not a zealot, just thought I would point out how the comments were perceived by a regular guy.

Thanks for the very detailed review of the features and engineering.
Maybe it's a sign of the times and the typical intended user but I could not find one single word about how it sounds!!!
I thought this was primarily intended as a music player.
Guess no one cares how music sounds any more as long as the player fits in their pocket.
I was so looking forward to this review before purchasing....oh well :(

OK...after the 3rd read...I found the short paragraph about audio quality...so I owe you an apology.
I expected to see a full section devoted to sound rather then the 4 lines it actually got and I missed it.
So my main rant still stands ;)
I just got to play with one today.
Very nice indeed....but after bemoaning the change from 2 to 3G I had rather got to like the 3G's dimensions.
But for me, sound is 1 through 3 on my list of important specs.
So I'm going to take my Etymotic ER4's to the store and do a hiss test!