Buy A Wii for Cheap! Nintendo Slashes Wii Console Prices by 20%

Fans of Nintendo Wii, it’s time to rejoice! Nintendo just announced a HUGE price drop for world’s most popular game console. No longer will you be out $250 just to play a few sports on your television set, and you won’t have to worry so much about ringing up a huge bill this Christmas if you want to buy a Wii console. You’ll only have to pay $199, a $50 savings from its original (and slightly astronomical) price bracket.

But will you still be receiving all the benefits of the original Wii console with the price drop?

The answer is YES.

With the Nintendo Wii console, you will still receive the Wii Sports games in the box, as well as the Wii remote controller, nunchuk controller for the Wii Sports boxing games, and those miscellaneous, necessary but not-worth-mentioning cables and accessories.

If you’ve never gotten the chance to experience a Wii before, I pity you. You don’t know what you’re missing! The Wii fulfills every desire a game station could ever hope to fulfill: entertainment, fun, and exercise, all at the same time.

But will YOU be a good fit for the Nintendo Wii? Let’s check out the awesome stuff that comes in the box, and we’ll find out very quickly!

Sports Heaven

When you unpackage your Wii for the first time, you’ll not only be blown away by its sleek design, natural remote controller grip, and the way it fits perfectly under your TV, you’ll also start tripping over yourself to try out the new games.

Within the Wii Sports games, you get to choose from:

* Tennis
* Bowling
* Golf
* Baseball
* Boxing

After playing each game several times, I can honestly say I don’t know how I lived without the Wii console. It’s so much fun, I haven’t bothered even buying any of the other games that go with it. And not only that, I can count my Wii time as exercise time, since it makes me break out into a sweat worse than using my elliptical trainer!

Create Your Own Mii Profile

One of the things I like best about the Wii console is the profile creation, known as the Mii interface. You can make unlimited player profiles, and like an online avatar, you can design every aspect of your player’s body and name to make it athletic, geeky, beautiful, ugly, sloppy, neat, smart – you name it. Every member of your family can do the same, and eventually, you’ll have a whole team of Wii players to choose from – and play against – each time you turn on your Wii.

It’s Totally Addicting

Once you hook up with the Nintendo Wii, it’s very, very difficult to unhook yourself. I can play the Wii for hours without ever needing to come up for air. (Yeah, it’s that dangerous!) And unlike similar game consoles, where the video games get old after a while, there’s always room for personal improvement in the Wii Sports games. You can earn trophies, score points, and move up to different levels of playing ability after just a short period of playing the games.

Better than PS3 and XBOX 360?

As a big Playstation 3 fan, it pains me to say this, but in many respects, the Wii outshines PS3 and XBOX 360. Friends of mine who also own the Wii have reluctantly admitted the same thing.

In addition to being more fun than competing game consoles, the Wii is also now a much lower price at $199.00, which makes it a better option for gift-giving, especially around Christmastime (hint, hint, Dad!)

But don’t just take my word for it – read what other Wii fanatics have to say about this awesome game console below:

Wii Fan says,

“Wow. That's all I had to say after plugging the Wii in at my home on November 19th. After months of waiting, it is finally here, and for once, this game system actually met and possibly exceeded my expectations. Know before continuing that I'm not a Nintendo fanboy, I hated the Gamecube, own a PS2 and will be buying an Xbox 360. Well, after buying this, I don't know if i will be needing that 360.

The biggest thing about the Wii is it's new controller. Instead of the traditional two-handed gamepad with 2-4 buttons and some analog sticks, the Wii's input system is shaped like a TV remote control. It has a couple of buttons on it, but not nearly as many as the average controller. How can you play complex games with such a simple controller? The answer is motion control.

The Wii's controller has accelerometers inside of it, allowing it to sense when you wave, swing, punch, stab, or shake. It can also interact with a sensor bar placed on top of the television to make a pointer for the TV. For example, to select a menu option, you just point at the option with the remote and click the A button. This creates a whole new gaming experience. It's like one of those arcade games at the local mall, but it works better, and no more 25 cents per turn!

The remote is also very comfortable. For games that would need two analog sticks, such as shooters, there is a connectible perephial with an analog stick and two shoulder buttons, which is called the Nunchuk. In a shooting game, this would handle movement and the remote would handle the aiming. It takes a very short amount of time to get used to, but once you do, it is much more comfortable than the normal controller. You can spread your hands out instead of hunched up, holding your hands together.

The Wii Remote is functional, efficient, comfortable, and smart. It is so much better than controllers of the past, and I hope this is a sign of things to come from Nintendo.”

Richard Michalik says,

“I have owned almost all of the game systems that have come out except for a few of the Nintendo. I just was not a big fan. These days I'm a huge XBOX 360 fan. When I saw the controllers for this new system I though if Nintendo pulls this off it will be huge for them. I decided to give the system a try and waited in line for 13 hours at Wal-Mart with my 9 year old daughter. She loved the wait and interacting with all the other people waiting for the release.

By the time we got it home that night we were both to tried to hook it up that night so it stay in the box till the next morning. The hook up was easy. I spent the money on 3 extra controllers and nunchucks and Trauma center (which I haven't had a chance to play yet) and Zelda. The game that comes with the unit was one of the smartest decisions by a company I have ever seen. This reminds me of pong back in the 70's when everyone at least tried playing the first video games ,because the games are so easy to play that everyone can and will be talked into playing them.

I can't wait to get my 76 year old mother year to play some golf and bowling. We had friends over on Sunday to watch the Bears-Jets game. They are not video game fans to say the least and made fun of me for sitting in line for 13 hours. I talked them into trying the system and then had to talk them into getting off the system because the game was starting and they were having too much fun playing a video game. They apologized to me for making fun of me waiting inline for that long.


I knew going into the purchase the unit was small, but it still shocked me how compact it is. It's a nice sleek design that is simple. The main interface on the unit is manageable and ready for many upgrades. It seemed all of the online features were not available yet except for the Nintendo shop. 10 dollars for a Nintendo 64 game is a little steep. They need to take a look at that. The Mii interface was neat and I had to stop my daughter from creating miis for each child in our neighborhood. The only con I had with the system was the remotes ran on AA batteries. It would have been nice for them to be on a rechargeable system. I'll just have to go get a battery recharger.

Will I stop playing and recommending the XBOX 360? NO, because I still believe the 360 is the best on the market at this time (The Wii could change that in time). But I will be spending less time on it because of the Wii. If you are on the ledge about this system get off and go and find one. It is worth it. If you're looking for a system that the entire family can enjoy this is it. You will not be disappointed.

P.S. If you're going to trash the system without playing it go somewhere else. People come here for opinions on if this is a good buy for them. Not for some flamer that's close-minded and loves only his Playstation or XBOX and everything else stinks no matter what.”

Kathie Kauff says,

“This is the best buy I ever made for family entertainment. Recently, my children and grandchildren were here and we had a blast! The grandkids were very familiar with it since they all have one at home. They even brought their own games to play and sticks! I highly recommend this product.”

Leslie O’Donnell says,

“Our family, Dad (38), Mom (32), Daughter (7), and Son (5), love our Wii System! We play all the sports games included. Dad loves tennis, Mom loves boxing, Daughter and Son love bowling. You can even play together with one remote- taking turns to bowl! We have started to add to our game collection, but the Wii sports, included with the system, is still a family favorite! I cannot say enough good things about this system. Only slightly comes in second as playing the real-life games and you can do it without leaving your home!”

So, are you ready for some FUN yet? Then check out the newly-reduced-price Wii game console here, where you can learn about even more Wii features, plus buy a Wii console of your very own.

The New Microsoft Zune HD: Better Features than Apple's New iPod Touch and iPod Nano 5th Generation?

Since its inception, the Microsoft Zune MP3 player has been the laughingstock of MP3 players amongst the Apple crowd. But although it first debuted as a thick, chunky, clumsy MP3 player, Microsoft finally got their act together and created a Zune worth bragging about: the new Zune HD 32GB.

If you're like me, you're not always sold on the latest "i-thing" that hits the market. Just because Apple created it doesn't mean it's the most perfect user-friendly media player. But finding good quality, user-friendly alternatives to the iPod Nano and iPod Touch that are comparable both in usability, design, touch-screen interface, and brand is far from easy. Sure, Sony, Samsung, Creative, Phillips and other brand-x players have their own line of iPod knockoffs, but truly, they're not your first choice.

That's what makes the new Microsoft Zune HD such a great buy. Just look at how much it resembles (and builds on) what the iPod Touch has done for music lovers, and you'll see that it is possible, even desirable, to buy Zune HD players as opposed to iPod Touch or iPod Nano models.
So what's so great about this new Zune HD? Check out the iPod-esque features below, and see if you don't appreciate the resemblance to Apple products in addition to qualities you won't find in an Apple product.

Finally - a Player Compatible with Windows PC's

If you're not a Mac user, you're probably going to be pretty disappointed when you plug in your iPod and find you have to sync, back up, and update every single time you go to charge it. iTunes software pops up and turns your Windows PC into a slug until it's finished doing its thing with your iPod - no matter which user is trying to log in. As long as the iPod is plugged into the machine and automatic synching is turned on (or it turns itself on after you've turned it off), you're going to have problems.

However, Zune HD users have found that Zune's software works far better with the Windows interface (no surprise), and doesn't turn your machine into a slug, which is amazing, considering the Windows source. So updating your Zune is a dream compared to updating your iPod.

Unplug Yourself: Enjoy Wireless Connectivity to the Internet and Your PC

Now, with the Microsoft MP3 Zune HD, you can update your player wirelessly without connecting to your PC on your home network.

Also, you can stream, buy, browse, and more on the Zune Marketplace using a wireless connection, which means you don't have to be connected to your computer to buy that new song or download a brand new game.

Additionally, Zune HD picks up wireless connection wherever there's wireless to be had, so you can browse the internet in more places than ever before. You can experience the portability of your favorite internet browser with the user-friendly interface and QWERTY keyboard.

Create Shortcuts with Zune HD's Quickplay

Tell me, can you create shortcuts on your iPod or iPod Touch? Not last I checked. But true to Microsoft's shortcut interface, the Zune HD lets you create shortcuts to your favorite media, recently played music and movies, or virtually any other folders you'd like to shortcut to. Zune's Quickplay interface lets you control how quickly you navigate to your favorite media.

Expand to HDTV and XBOX 360

Last I checked, the iPod family did not extend its interface to TV's and XBOX's. But with a few adapters (sold separately) the Zune HD can relay its HD media to HDTV's and XBOX. Buy a movie only once and you can watch it on your Zune as well as your XBOX, so you never have to pay twice for the same movie. How convenient is that!

Listen to Your Favorite Music Free with HD Radio

Your Zune HD now comes equipped with a built-in HD Radio tuner, which augments the idea of Apple's iPod Touch (which does not have a built-in radio tuner) and the iPod Nano 5th Generation (which has a built-in tuner, but no in HD.) Now granted, you need to be near HD radio stations to take full advantage of the feature, but it's still pretty slick.

Better Touch Screen Capability than Apple iPods

Users have said time and again that they prefer Microsoft Zune HD's touch screen interface over Apple's iPod Touch. Not only is the navigation more intuitive, but the screen is more responsive and sleek than the iTouch.

Plus, the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen is usually considered sleeker and more vibrant than the iTouch, despite this particular iPod's reputation for having the best screen on the block.

Better Battery Life than iPod

Nobody likes Apple telling them that they have 30 hours of movie or music playback and wind up having to charge it every 4 hours anyway. But with Zune HD, you get more hours of playback before having to hook it up to the charger again. The battery life far surpasses iPod.

But don't just take my word for it. Check out what these super-happy Zune HD users have to say about their positive experience with the Microsoft Zune MP3 player.

E. Yasi says,

"Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)

Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.

Points of comparison:
- Brighter OLED screen with more vivid color and better contrast
OLED screens can wash out in direct sunlight more than others, but in almost any other situation they are clearly preferable, and have a marvelous eye-catching picture that needs to be seen to be appreciated. The screen has slighly lower resolution than the iPod Touch, but is also slightly smaller, so in the end video looks a little less pixellated when viewed closely, and very vivid.

-Zune Pass subscription service
This is my favorite feature that will keep me using a Zune until it's pried from my my desperate grasp. For $15 a month I get 10 DRM-free MP3 songs to keep, and unlimited access to millions of songs. As long as you would have bought at least 10 songs anyways that means you're paying only $5 for that access. It's better than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you can listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the exact order you want, AND can either stream this music or store it on your Zune to listen to later, even if out of wifi range. Lots of people present subscription services as something you do INSTEAD of owning music, but at this cheap a price there's no reason you can't use this as a supplement to whatever purchases you make. It's not either/or, it's a wonderful "AND", especially if you're the type who likes to explore and enjoy a broad range of music.

Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.

- Wireless sync
In addition to wireless net access, you can sync your Zune to your PC wirelessly, which can be quite convenient on occasion. The new Zune HD seems to have better wireless reception than my prior Zunes.

- Smart DJ
Rhapsody first popularized a playlist construction service with its 'Channels' feature, and Apple followed with its 'Genius' feature. The idea is that you specify a song or artist, and the service will construct a playlist of similar music of both familiar and new artists for you to enjoy. The prior Zunes had a 'Channel' feature too, but I found it lacking in sophistication and accuracy. The 4.0 Zune Marketplace upgrade (the Zune equivalent of iTunes) now has a 'Smart DJ' feature that is a much improved version of the old Channels. I actually find it very useful now, and what's even better is that if you have Zune Pass you can specify whether it should pull music exclusive from your collection, from the Zune Pass selection, or from a combination of both. It's wonderfully flexible and lots of fun.

-Web Browsing
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.

-Zune Marketplace and iTunes
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.

Sorry for the huge review, but I'm really loving the new Zune!"

T. Nield says,

"With the rapid rise of the iPod Touch and iPhone, it's no surprise Microsoft came up with a touchscreen portable media player of its own. However, this is not a copy of the iPod touch at all. Sure the Zune HD features a touchscreen, accelerometer, app support, a strong web browser and other features that made the iPod Touch so popular.

However, the Zune HD has what the iPod Touch lacks, such as...

-ZunePass (Download all the music you want for $15/month, keep 10 songs per month DRM-Free)
-720p HDMI output
-An aesthetically nice software (Zune 4.0 interface is very pretty to look at, not a dull spreadsheet like iTunes)
-An aesthetically nice device OS (Artist pictures and info float around while playing a song, it's cool)
-OLED screen (brighter, more vibrant than LCD)
-Free HD radio
-Radio "tagging" (If you like a song you hear on the radio, "tag" it to add it to your cart for download)
-XBOX Live integration
-An advanced nVidia Tegra Chip (A couple of graphically-intense 3D games are coming out this fall, like Burnout: Ferrari Edition)
-On-demand music (play music online with your Zune HD, don't need to download it to your hard drive)


Again, the Zune HD is just simply amazing. With the Nvidia Tegra chip and highly capable processor, the potential for this device is endless. The Zune HD is supposed to be a portable gaming platform to compete head-to-head with the Nintendo DS and PSP brands. I'm excited to see Burnout: Ferrari Edition on it this fall. I'm also looking forward to see more apps as well.

Could this device take significant market share from Apple's iPod Touch? With the right marketing to increase public awareness of this product, yes it definitely can. Every large monopolizing entity like Kmart, GM, and even Apple will dominate a market completely for some period of time. However, times change and something better always comes along. Is this Zune HD the better alternative to the iPod? With some more releases in the app store and updates, it clearly will be. The question is will Apple change and copy the Zune's features including the Zune Pass? I don't know, we'll see. The Zune Pass will clearly become the new standard of digital music services and the $1-per-song marketplace model will not be competitive much longer."

Nighthawk says,

"Microsoft did an outstanding job with this media device. It is far sleeker than my iPod touch. Having used an ipod touch, the interface and the features on the Zune are far better. You get impressive features on the Zune. HD radio sounds great. OLED Screen is fantastic. The device is extremely light and very well built. Battery life is great as well.

I've been using Zune 4.0 software all day and the changes and the updates are very good. Zune Software blows away iTunes. It is much sleeker and is not a processor hog.

The great thing about the Zune Marketplace is for $15 a month you can download unlimited music to keep for as long as you have the service. Plus you get to keep 10 songs a month of your choice, and you can share the same subscription with up to 3 Zunes. That is fantastic for a family. I bought a Zune for my daughter as well and it's great that we can both download unlimited music for only $15 a month. She downloads hundreds of songs a month, that would cost a fortune with the iPOD, but not with the Zune Marketplace. Sure you only get to keep 10 a month, but most people get sick of songs fairly quickly. And if you keep your subscription that will never be a problem. So with keeping 10 songs a month that means you're only paying $5 a month for unlimited music. FANTASTIC.

The OLED display is so crisp and beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice. It is extremely responsive, far nicer than my iPOD touch.

Right now there are about 11 Apps in the Zune Marketplace and they are all free (included with the subscription) which is great.

I have no complaints about this device. I purchased it with the dock, and man does the picture look great on my TV. The Zune outputs videos without any problems or hesitation. Truly a great device. I highly recommend and definitely recommend that you play around with it for yourself, because pictures truly don't do it justice."

So, what do you think? Better than the Apple iPod? Find out for yourself and read more about the Microsoft Zune HD, or go right ahead and buy a Zune right now.

Apple iPod Nano 5th Generation: Now with Slick Video Camera, Bigger Screen, and Microphone Capabilities

Fans of the old Apple iPod Nano media players are flocking to the new Apple iPod Nano 5th Generation players. With new features, like a bigger screen, sleeker finish and design, built-in video camera, and voice recognition, what's not to like about the new iPod Nano 5 Gen.? Check out some of the new features below (and read what users have to say about the new iPod Nano as well) and you can easily determine if the new iPod Nano is worth all the hype.

Video Camera: The iPod Nano is Now Fully Equipped!

While we're on the subject of hype, let's start with the most fantastic addition to the iPod Nano 8GB and 16 GB: a video camera. Considering its petite build and slim figure, you're probably wondering how well the iPod Nano actually shoots video. Well, I'm here to tell you, it's not half bad.

Users have equated the iPod Nano 5 video camera to the Flip's video camera, and most say it's comparable, if not better, as far as quality is concerned. And although Apple could've definitely picked a better location for the lens (it's smack dab where you would ordinarily want to hold onto the player), the video captures very well and plays back all those moments you would've missed while running for your real video camera.

What iPod users like most about the new camera is that they no longer have to carry a real camera with them wherever they go. Many say it's great for YouTube videos, since it doesn't have to be in super-high quality, but it can still be edited using the iPhoto software before uploading or sharing.

Watch Your Movies in BIG Screen Edition!

Say goodbye to the old 2-inch iPod Nano 4th Generation screen; the new iPod Nano 5th Generation has a 2.2-inch screen, and while it may not sound like an earth-shattering improvement, the size difference is very obvious, even to a non-iPod user. Movies are so much easier to watch, and navigation is enhanced a great deal with the bigger screen.

If you're into watching tons of movies and TV shows on your iPod, I would still recommend getting the new iPod Touch 32 GB or higher to get the best viewing advantage, but if you're only watching a movie every once in a while on your iPod Nano, the new 5th Generation iPod is a great improvement on the old styles.

Let the Genius Create Your Playlists for You

If you're like me, you like to have control over what your iPod Nano plays in a playlist. I don't ordinarily enjoy a program choosing my playlists for me, but Genius is an exception. It's not like other players or software that choose playlist songs based on "similar artists" (whatever that means.)

With the Genius playlist builder, you get a unique playlist of your music every time, with songs that match not only the artist type, but the style, beat, and rhythm of the songs you want to listen to. So no longer will you get a Michael Bolton song stuck in your exercise routine when you really wanted to hear Cobra Starship.

Tune into the World with the New Built-In FM Radio Tuner

Apple finally got it right. Instead of making a player with an FM Tuner attached to a clunky pair of cheapo headphones, they added an FM Tuner to the player itself, so the new iPod Nano 5th Generation now has a built-in FM radio tuner.

As an extra-sweet feature in the new iPod Nano, the FM tuner now lets you pause up to 15 minutes of live radio playback, so you'll never miss a sports play or your favorite upcoming song after a commercial break. So, really, you can get rid of that static-y radio now, because the iPod Nano radio tuner is all you really need.

Never Check Your iPod to See What's Playing - Just Ask VoiceOver

I myself get really sick of digging my player out of my pocket because I forgot who does a certain song. With my old player, I had to fish it out of wherever I stashed it just to check the artist, album, or song title. But now, with just the click of the wheel, you don't even have to check the screen to see what's playing; simply click the wheel, and iPod's smooth VoiceOver will tell you the artist and the song title without stopping your music.

Okay, so this is a feature one can live without, but it's a pretty nice bonus, nonetheless, and one I would plan on using quite often.

Make Your Own Memos with the Built-In Microphone

That's right. You don't even have to have a set of headphones with a mic attachment to record memos into your new iPod Nano 5. You can simply record the memo and save it for later, when you sync it with iTunes on your computer. Pretty nifty, considering even the iPod Touch 3rd Generation doesn't even let you do that!

Add to Your Workout Routine with the Built-in Pedometer

Remember how your old iPod would've needed a Nike attachment, or didn't even come with this feature at all? Well, Apple still makes you buy the Nike adapter to experience the full workout extent of the iPod Nano 5, but each iPod still comes with a built-in pedometer that doesn't require the use of any attachments whatsoever.

For someone like me who doesn't like buying a special pair of shoes and a Nike attachment, this is a great way to step up your workout routine without spending a fortune. But like I said, the option for the Nike attachment is still here, if you really want to take full advantage of the iPod Nano 5's exercise workout options.

So all-in-all, the new iPod Nano 5th Generation takes advantage of all extra space with a video camera and bigger screen, plus packs all the features you came to love in the old Nano's and packages them up all together in one sweet package: the iPod Nano 5.

But don't just take my word for it. If you're more concerned about what other people think about their new iPod Nano, check out their testimonials below.

Stephen says,

"First reactions? This Nano appears just as sleek and beautiful as the commendable 4th generation Nano. In fact, at first glance, you would not think must different about the newer version. I quickly tried out the recording of video. This was average. It is nice, if you carry your Nano everywhere, to have the ability to take video. Cool. When played back on the Nano, the video looks pretty good. It's average, when played back on your computer. Again, far from bad, but in the age where digital cameras have some great movie modes, you have to simply call the iPod Nano video average, but most of all convenient. Fun too.

Personally, I have found myself most interested in the new Pedometer built into the Nano. It can keep track of your steps during the day, if you keep the device on you all day. I think this could push me to be more active. Again, is this feature really necessary in an iPod? I'm not sure, but keep in mind that this product is popular among fitness gurus for its portability, almost feather-like weight, and solid state memory.

Finally, in a pinch, to listen to a sporting event or particular talk radio show, the new nano includes a FM Turner. Blah you might say? Yes, that is not particularly exciting, BUT the Nano adds one cool feature to FM Radio. You can "pause" the radio up to 15 minutes, such as you might do with the DVR connected to your television. It works flawlessly. Before one asks, no, you cannot schedule radio recordings. Still, the new nano will make FM radio a bit more modern, with this pause function."

Electronic Gadgetphile says,

"I really didn't need a new iPod as I currently own an iPhone 3G(S), two older Nanos, an older 1 GB Shuffle and two iPod Classics in 15 GB and 30 GB configurations that I recently installed new batteries in. But I HAD to have the new one and justified it to myself by Apple's seductive inclusion of an FM radio in this 5th generation edition.

Having said all of that, I am really impressed with this new 5th generation iPod Nano. I find that the FM radio has great reception and is easy to use, unlike the Apple dongle radio attachment I use on my previous generation Nano. The radio software integration is nicely done and very simple to use, set favorite stations and pause as necessary to talk on the phone and then quickly resume where the music or talk show left off for up to 15 minutes.

The playback of pre-recorded movie video is clear and the sound is very good as with earlier iPods. The video recording is point and shoot simple to use but not of very high quality - about what you would expect from a cell phone- but I really don't plan on using this as a video camera. Would have been nice if Apple had included a still camera as well but I suspect the quality would not be acceptable without adding more componentry requiring more space and cost. I did note that this iPod has a speaker built in (which I assume is the microphone as well) but its sound quality is not good.

The pedometer function (Fitness) is interesting and can be used without any external attachments. It only counts steps and not distance so I assume that I will need to multiply the counted steps by stride length to come up with distance walked. Ironically, it does have you put in your weight but I'm not certain how this is used.

The build quality is superb, the unit is very compact and light weight with Apple's customary intuitive user interfaces that make it easy to use right out of the box without reading the instructions (which I dread resorting to anyway). In summary, I am very pleased with my new iPod and am rapidly working on irrefutable justifications for its purchase before the credit card statement arrives and my wife asks, "Did you buy ANOTHER iPod?"."

R. Williams says,

"This is my second iPod and my first Nano. My older (classic) doesn't support Genius and the interface is almost prehistoric compared to this new one.

The fact that you can press "shuffle", then construct a full, almost perfectly-accurate playlist based on the "Genius" database is amazing and worth the price alone.

The video camera is perfect for catching That Adorable Thing your cat/kid/wife just did or said. And the voice recorder is indispensable. My only complaint is that the "voice recorder" function isn't in the main menu, and you can't program it to appear in the main menu when you explore and customize your settings (you can literally add anything else to the main menu but that, and that is very very odd to me).

There is quite a bit of dissent as to why this product got a video camera and the iPod Touch did not. The biggest rumor is a software/compatibility issue. I don't think that's the case. The iPod Touch is going to go on a crusade to compete with other handheld gaming platforms like the PSP and the Nintendo DS. It is my opinion that they will be pushing the Nano as the "this is the music/media you wanted... our bigger brother is for all you folks who want to bridge the gap between your smart phone and your laptop".

I, for one, am fine with that.

If you are thinking of upgrading and you don't want all the distractions (games, mail, gps, etc) that come with the iPod Touch, this is the item for you. I am able to fit 16 gigs of music and video into a sliver of metal that fits into the credit card slot of my wallet. That's pretty remarkable."

So whether you're already an avid iPod Nano fan, or are just getting hooked on the Apple iPod Nano experience, the new features of the iPod Nano 5th Generation are sure to blow your mind.

You can learn more about the new iPod Nano here or buy Apple ipod nano here.

Newest Apple iPod Touch: 3rd Generation iTouch 32 GB Delivers Better Voice Features, More Music Features - All at the Speed of Lightning

It’s time to retire your old Apple iPod Touch. You deserve an upgrade to an iTouch with a processor twice as fast, graphics twice as crisp, and newly added built-in voice recognition for voice commands.

The Apple iTouch 3rd Generation is not just an entertainment device, as its predecessor was. Not only does it give you every capability of a music, movie, and handheld game device, it packs the power and capabilities of a small computer, in many cases eliminating the need to haul a laptop or notebook PC.
Let’s explore some of the great features the new Apple iTouch 32 and 64 GB models offer their doting new owners:


Music

Shake to Shuffle: Instead of simply skipping the songs you don’t feel like hearing anymore the old way, shake your iPod to switch the song. Much more convenient than pressing the button.

Genius Mix: Now, when you sync your iTouch with iTunes, the software will reach into your library and create song mixes that fit together like pieces of a puzzle, so you get a great listening experience without manually choosing each song yourself.

Download iTunes on iTouch: Now you can buy and download songs, apps, movies, and games right on your iTouch without ever connecting to the computer. All you need is Wi-Fi connection.

Speed:

50% Faster than 2nd Generation iPod Touch: That's right. The 8GB 3rd Generation does not have this capacity, but the 32 and 64 GB iPod Touch have processor capabilities that far outweight its predecessor. So now, you can browse the Internet much faster than you ever could before. Additionally, navigation and all your applications will boast enhanced speed and performance.

App Store

Download Apps: Browse the hottest new apps and download them right on your iTouch. There are thousands of free apps available, and now you have better access to these apps than ever before.

App Updates: Get real time updates on the apps you already own with the new iTouch.

Movies

Video (almost) on Demand: Now you can get TV shows and video podcasts on your iTouch anywhere you go – during your commute, at home on the couch – you name it.

Better Movie Controls: Fast forward, rewind, adjust volume, and flip between widescreen and fullscreen views with a shake of the iTouch.

Rent Movies on the Go: So, when you’re sitting in the airport terminal with nothing to do during your eight-hour layover, hop onto the Wi-Fi and rent a movie from iTunes – you can do that now, you know.

Voice Control

You MUST get the 32 GB or 64 GB version for the voice control option. Both of these models come with mic headphones, allowing you to give your Apple iPod Touch commands while it’s still sitting in your pocket or your backpack. Check out the new features:

Skype: True, the old iPod Touch had Skype capability, but a lot of good that was without a microphone. Well, now with the 32 and 64 GB iPod Touch, you can get all the functionality of Skype without any other adapter. Sweet!

Music on Demand: No longer will you be forced to manually search for your music by scrolling through endless pages of tunes; just say which song you want the iTouch to play, and it will play it for you immediately. So when you say “Play 'Devour' by Shinedown,” it will do just that.

Talk Right into the Mic: Using the mic headphones, you can speak into your iTouch and your voice will be recognized, which means you can navigate anywhere on your iTouch while it’s still in your pocket.

Write Notes Using Voice Recognition: With the new 32 GB and 64 GB iPod Touch, your voice will be transcribed onto memos and similar data for future reference. No more typing it manually on the keyboard.

Kindle Capability

Read Kindle Books: Yes, that’s right. You can now read Kindle books without ever needing to own a Kindle. Download Kindle books to be optimized for your iTouch with few limitations on media offerings available for iTouch.

So, how's that to whet your appetite? If you still have doubts, read what these super-happy new iTouch users have to say about the new model:

B. Bargerhuff says:

"I just got my Ipod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation) last week and I haven't put it down. I was long over due for a MP3 upgrade (had a creative Zen for years) and can't believe I waited so long. This Ipod touch is amazing not only for music but I was able to do everything I needed without having to go back to my lap top (control my fantasy football team, pay bills, shop on line, read the news, etc) thanks to the Apps. So easy to use. Never owned an Ipod before so I can't compare to previous versions but for any one looking to upgrade, this is a no brainer."

Lillian says:

"This thing is amazing. I still can't believe all the things it can do. I have never had a device with a touch screen before, so maybe I'm easily impressed. One of the big selling points for me for this was the app store. Didn't need a smart phone (and didn't want to be pay for more than the basic monthly fees for phone service) so that ruled out the iphone. When you hear in the commercial "we have an app for that", it doesn't seem to be that far from the truth. Truly makes the touch a multipurpose too. There are several apps I can use at work as well as home.

Of course it has all my music and podcasts on as well. I've downloaded a number of free games for my kids to play, and the fact that this thing has wi-fi for internet surfing is a major plus as well. Especially like that I can find directions on Google maps, and it will save my them (at least for last search) even when I'm offline. Should make finding my son's away football games much easier.

All in all, very pleased with the Touch. "

Nix Cadavre says:

"* Faster CPU. This means that games, web surfing, and apps run 50% faster, and it's noticeable when you go from the older model to the newer one.

* OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics. Soon there will be games that offer advanced effects, and this iPod touch will be ready for it. At the time of this writing there are only three games with Open GL ES 2.0 support, but eventually you will be required to have it to use some apps. I'd rather have it than not have it. Besides, water, shadows, and other things look great with it.

* New earbuds with mic/remote control. Now you can control the iPod touch without looking at the screen, and use apps like Skype and Shazam without adapters. Very handy.

* Voice commands. You can use the mic to control your music. Press and hold the button on the mic to enter Voice Command mode, then say "Play artist _______" and it will play that artist. You can also ask "What band plays this?" or say "Play album _______" and it will comply. The voice recognition is very impressive, and the voice that speaks back to you is understandable, even if it mispronounces some things.

* Louder speaker. The built-in speaker sounds better to me. Louder, and much more clear when playing music or game sound.

There are also a few things that are in this model of iPod touch that are not in earlier models, but has yet to be "activated" by software. These include an FM receiver, FM transmitter, and 802.11n transmitter. Apple will no doubt sell us a future software update that will include a radio tuner, 802.11n support, and possibly even the ability to broadcast with the built-in FM transmitter from your iPod touch to your car stereo without a third-party accessory.

So yeah, this is an improvement over the 2nd Generation model. I'll trade all those features for a camera any day!

And of course, everything that was in the 2nd Gen iPod touch is here as well. Bluetooth support with the 3.0 software (nothing like wireless headphones for your music!), physical volume control on the left side of the iPod touch, nice screen, lots of storage space, and amazing support when it comes to accessories; This has the same form factor as the 2nd Gen model, so you should have no trouble finding a case or docking device to work with it.

If you've already got apps and iTunes Store purchases that you'd like to keep using, this is a nice upgrade. You get a lot of power in this little pocket computer... And the music playback quality is quite good, too!"

So what are you still waiting for?

You don't have to give yourself a good reason to get the new iTouch. It makes a great Christmas gift, birthday present, me-to-me present, and also functions well in a work environment with so many application options and web surf-ability.

You can learn more about the Apple iPod Touch 3rd Generation's brand new and improved features right here.