“Having sold more than 20 million iPods, Apple has predictably made news by replacing its best-selling player and launching its first cell phone. So does the ultra-tiny Nano iPod, which replaces the iPod Mini, live up to its hype? Yes. Not so the Motorola ROKR, the first camera phone that uses iTunes, the iPod music-management software,” ConsumerReports opines.
“The Nano is the top choice among MP3 players, with what may be the best-yet combination of size, storage, and ergonomic ease. That said, consider a flash-memory player from another brand if you want additional functions such as recording capability or an FM radio. Such players typically cost less than the Nano but hold only a quarter to a half as many songs,” according to ConsumerReports.
“While the ROKR is an interesting experiment in extending the iPod brand, its hefty price and other drawbacks mean you’re better off sticking with a separate iPod and cell phone, at least for now. The [Sony Ericsson] W800 is a better combination option. But it’s even more expensive, and, because it isn’t an iPod, it offers none of Apple’s advantages, such as the ability to play songs you’ve bought from Apple’s iTunes online music store,” ConsumerReports says.
Full article here.
Advertisement: Apple iPod nano. 1,000 songs. Impossibly small. From $199. Free shipping.
Related article:
CNET iPod nano review: ‘Sets new standards, stretches boundaries of tech, Apple’s done it again’ – September 16, 2005
The New York Times’ Pogue states iPod’s Law: the impossible is possible – September 14, 2005
Associated Press praises Apple iPod nano, takes swipe at Microsoft WMA-based also-ran music services – September 14, 2005
Apple’s music competition having tough time and the iPod nano won’t help them – September 14, 2005
One of big stars at Microsoft’s PDC show: Apple’s iPod nano; Microsoft reps ‘in awe’ – September 14, 2005
Piper Jaffray: Apple seeing high demand for iPod nano – September 14, 2005
Australian IT: Apple iPod nano ‘a little bar of techno-joy’ – September 14, 2005
Apple iPod nano takes a beating and keeps on beating – September 12, 2005
Apple’s iPod nano: The ‘thin lady’ sings unwelcome iTune to competitors – September 09, 2005
Hands on with Apple iPod nano – September 09, 2005
Mossberg: Apple iPod nano ‘beautiful, incredibly thin, and exceeds Apple’s performance specs’ – September 08, 2005
Apple’s iPod nano will make competitors whimper, Motorola’s ROKR inexplicably bland – September 07, 2005
Tech pundit Enderle: ‘iPod Nano is a hit,’ Motorola ROKR ‘simply doesn’t have enough Apple in it’ – September 07, 2005
Jupiter analyst Gartenberg: ‘the market is going to go for Apple iPod nano in a big way’ – September 07, 2005
Analyst: iPod nano ‘could be Apple’s next home run’ – September 07, 2005
Video of Steve Jobs introducing iPod nano, ROKR iTunes phone now available online – September 07, 2005
Apple’s Steve Jobs predicts ultra-thin iPod nano ‘will become the highest volume iPod in the world’ – September 07, 2005
Apple’s iPod nano will make competitors whimper, Motorola’s ROKR inexplicably bland – September 07, 2005
Apple introduces iPod nano – September 07, 2005
Trade ease-of-use for a crappy FM tuner?! LMAO!!!
iPod phones will not take off till they are really good at both tasks. 100 songs will not do it. I personally need it to replace my 20G iPod before I switch.
But the problem is the implementation not the concept. There will come a day when the two are merged – preferably built by apple!
Typical Consumer Reports:
“While the ROKR is an interesting experiment in extending the iPod brand…”
They never quite seem to get it.
I am very happy with my ROKR, it serves my purpose as one device
qualms are;
1. Transfer speed
2. 2 year cingular agreement *yak*
thats about it
In the UK, the ROKR is free with a 12-month contract on O2. Pretty good deal really. My biggest gripe is really with the camera – it stinks. Otherwise its a very capable handset, and the itunes interface really is pretty good (I played with one in the shop). The built-in stereo speaker are actually pretty decent too, as is the speakerphone quality. The shop says it seems to be selling pretty well.
An FM Radio would also be of more interest in the UK where there is a large selection of good stations from the BBC as well as many commercial offerings. Personally I’m not bothered but I can see how a lot of people would like it. A DAB radio would be cool though.
Scalz,
Although I haven’t used the phone myself, the review seems pretty objective. And very objective for Consumer Reports. An inherant issues with any all-in-one device is that none of the features is best-in-breed.
I thought Jobs just said that in Paris.
The problem for SJ is how can you enter a market that relies on a closed carrier network. Unlike itunes the Motorola deal is necessary to get the door open – but the network still holds the aces.
ROKR is a dog and unfortunately the itunes risks getting a bad press when it is the fault of the hardware not the software. This is nothing new to Apple and one of the reasons they don’t allow their OS on other low spec, crap platforms