The New iPod Nano

Let's talk music! Let's talk podcasts! 1, 000 songs, non-skip, digital quality, portability - the pencil thin iPod Nano is just the ticket. Jogging, walking or toughing it out on a treadmill life just got a whole lot easier with the addition of the rugged, little iPod that holds either 500 (2GB) or 1000 (4GB) songs. That's 14 hours of sounds that will go with you everywhere.

So what do you do with all those sounds? I work two hours from home via the public bus and regional rail lines. I get up at 5:00AM, catch a 6:35AM train, after a jostling pushing bus-ride, coffee on the regional rails, then another jostling, jolting bus ride to get to work by 8AM. I couldn't do it without music - and I couldn't make it without my rugged little iPod. It holds my sounds, a few photos of my feline, furry buddies sound asleep at home, a couple audiobooks and my podcasts of various things that interest me.

Portability in the extreme What makes this tiny 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inch stand out? It's thin, weighs only 3.5 ounces, yet it backs quite a punch. Using the Click Wheel, you have access to your music, photos, podcasts, extras like a calendar and contacts, a World Clock and many extras On-the-go Options where you can create custom playlists personalized to exactly the songs you want to listen to at that moment.

Photos of the cool cats I only have a few photos of family, friends and my many felines, but the Nano can actually hold up to 25, 000 photos. Now that's a lot of picnics, baby showwers and weddings to pass around the office! You can also set it up show a slideshow of your favorite shots on the full-color screen.

Easy Sync with iTunes Through iTunes, the premiere iPod syncing software that works on Mac or PC, you can import a CD easily, buy songs or podcasts from the iTunes store sync or upload it to your iPod. iTunes starts syncing automatically after hooking up your iPod. Instant music to go, as well as news and commentary on any subject you like. I like the Audiobooks section for those long rides. It has over 11, 000 titles. Prices start at just $2.95 per title, Songs are only 99 cents. Syncing is blindingly easy and you can start building your own library of audiobooks - a number of them available exclusively at the iTunes Music Store including all six Harry Potter audiobooks.

Let's Accessorize! With all new things comes the upgrades and gizmos to customize the new toy to perfectly fit your tastes and preferences. iPod Nano is no different offering a wide-variety of earphone choices, many colored skins to make you Nano uniquely yours. I prefer the powder-blue skin myself, and the In-Ear Headphones for maximum sound quality and bass resonance.

You car is a stereo on the roll! Many of the newer cars come iPod capable with the hookups necessary, but since I have an older model vehicle I've done the conventional iTrip and plug-in car Monster option. Either way, it allows you to take you music with you on the road with "seamless integration between you car and your iPod." In other words, fabulous sounds while you drive.

Imagine this scenario. You stumble out of your bed in the dark, take care of personal business. Now you're dressed and ready to go. It's still dark. Out you go, heading towards the local bus stop, still near-comatose. You take out your earbuds, turn on the Nano and wham, music fills your world or the latest Battlestar Galactica podcast about the last gripping episode fills your consciousness. You begin to wake up, ready to face the day on your terms with kick-ass background music or scintillating commentary to make your trip to consciousness and work just a little bit easier.

You don't like my scenario? Dream up your own. Just make sure you have include music, because everything moves, slides, walks, and treads better to a beat - whatever your beat - whether it's classical, new age or rock and roll. It's gone digital, all wrapped up in a cute, little box that takes your songs to the next level and beyond. When you think music, think iPod Nano.