iPod nano is now a Camcorder... and a TiVo-style FM Radio

It's clearly there's still room for improvements in the iPod nano as Apple has again refreshed the wafer-thin DAP for the fourth time. Now in its fifth generation, the iPod nano has received quite a few hardware changes, including the addition of a video camera, a bigger screen (albeit only 0.2" larger), a microphone, a pedometer, a speaker, and surprisingly, a FM radio.

The video camera lets you capture in standard def (640 x 480 at 30fps in H.264) with quality that even surpasses iPhone 3GS according to PCMag. It doesn't take still pictures, however. The camcorder function also puts the nano's accelerometer to good use so you can switch between portrait and landscape mode effortlessly. The lens placement, however, makes it too easy for fingers to get in the way; you will need to practice the handling a little more. 15 special effects are available even while you are recording.

The FM radio gets iTunes tagging and Live Pause, the former of which allows you to tag the song you heard on the radio and let iTunes finds it for you for purchase next time you sync. Live Pause basically is like TiVo for FM radio on your nano so you can pause live radio broadcast and return to it as far back as 15 minutes. The nano's integrated pedometer reports back how many steps you've taken and how many calories you've burned after you enter your weight start walking. Last but not least is the VoiceOver reads out the song name and the performer. This feature was introduced in iPod shuffle 3G and has since made it to iPhone and now nano. While there are numerous changes to the hardware department, iPod nano is still offered in 8GB and 16GB and Apple has slashed the price by $20 to $149 and $179 respectively... talking about a big discount taken account into all the upgrades.

More MP3 Players

• Get Apple iPod Nano (fifth generation, 16GB, silver) now for $169.99 at Amazon.com
• Get Apple iPod Nano (fifth generation, 16GB, silver) now for $174.99 at Amazon.com Marketplace
• Get Apple iPod Nano (fifth generation, 16GB, silver) now for $179.00 at Abt Electronics
• Get Apple iPod Nano (fifth generation, 16GB, silver) now for $179.99 at Sears