Here is a guide/review to the new 8GB Nano Black 2nd Generation.

The Nano was brought out to replace the Mini, but this new remastering of the iPod is a fusion of the 1st generation Nano and the Mini. Available in capacities of 2, 4, and 8GB (priced at $149, $199, and $249, respectively) these have a scratch-resistant aluminum shell, rounded edges, and various colors like the mini, though the colors are only available in the 4GB models.  You can get a 2GB Nano, though it only comes in Silver.  If you go under Apple.com’s website for deals and refurbished products, you can still get a 2GB Nano for $99.00, but remember it is the first generation.  I purchased the 8GB Nano, though it only comes in black, but this version is the largest for storage.

Though it looks like the iPod Mini, it is more like the 1st generation Nano.  The 2nd Generation Nano is the same height and width as the original Nano, but with the rounded edges, it feels like it is shorter on the sides.  This design also makes it feel a lot thinner than it was, though it is only a .01 inches thinner.  The center button has changed too, having a concaved button for your selection, which makes it very easy to use and place your thumb without looking.  This new Nano, with the same body shape, now has a longer battery life.  Apple claims that it will last 24 hours, but I was able to get just over 25 hours of playtime – Which is nice.

 

The Nano comes with similar features as the previous version such as Volume Limit, Stopwatch, Screen Lock, and support for the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, but now has a music search function, a brighter screen (40% brighter), improved sound quality (in my opinion), and the newly redesigned headphones. 

Also, the bottom of this unit has changed slightly.  The headphone jack and the sync port are slightly farther apart, which eliminated some of my old accessories, which made me slightly disappointed.

In regards to syncing, this unit actually takes longer to sync than my old Nano.  To sync 2GB on the first generation took roughly 5 minutes, but with the 2nd generation of newly designed Nano’s, it took almost 10 minutes to do 2 gigs.  This seems to be the common findings amongst other 2nd generation Nano owners as well.  They did upgrade the software right after the release, but I have not noticed a difference in syncing. 

A downside that the Nano did not get that the 5th Generation Ver. 2.0 of the iPod received was the option to purchase games from iTunes.  Hopefully this will be something that will change in the future for the Nano.  Also, the new packaging, which is environmentally friendly, does not have a CD version of iTunes included in the packaging, which is going to disappoint first time iPod Nano buyers.

As a fan of the Mini and a converter to the Nano, I love this design.  I really do.  I think the aluminum casing is the way to go.  I was really reluctant to give my Mini up for the Nano, but now that the redesigned Nano is this way, it is a perfect blend of the two.  I highly recommended this device to Apple lovers and new MP3 enthusiasts alike.

Pros:
-Brighter screen
-Better sound
-Aluminum scratch-resistant casing
-Concave select button 
-Amazing battery-life: 24 hours plus!
-Search features
-New colors to choose from

Cons
-Still no built in FM tuner
-Does not play movies
-No games through iTunes
-Sync port and headphone jack put farther apart not allowing old accessory use

Thank you flickr for the great pics!