iPod nano (4G) (2008)

Apple introduced the fourth-generation iPod nano on September 9, 2008, and announced immediate availability: 8 GB for $149 and 16 GB for $199 in the United States. Both capacities came in nine colors. This page groups the generation rather than counting every color or capacity as a separate product.

Black fourth-generation iPod nano, 8 GB, front and back. Photo: Aconcagua, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Original file unchanged by us; not a launch photo.

Specs

Key feature	A1285
Storage	8 GB / 16 GB
Display	2″
Ports	USB 2.0
Price	149 / 199 USD (US launch)
Availability	2008-09-09

Introduction and capacities

Genius, motion and battery life

The curved aluminum and glass enclosure surrounded a two-inch portrait display. An accelerometer switched to Cover Flow when the player was rotated and enabled shuffle playback when it was shaken. Genius made playlists from a song in the library. Apple advertised up to 24 hours of music or four hours of video per charge, a contemporary estimate rather than a promise for an aged battery.

Identification and requirements

Apple identifies this generation as A1285, with a Click Wheel, curved surface and oval profile viewed from above or below. It should not be confused with the fifth-generation nano, which added a rear camera and microphone. At launch it required iTunes 8 and a USB 2.0 port; Apple listed Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home/Professional with Service Pack 3. The photo shows the front and back of a black 8 GB example, not both capacities or all colors.

Sources

iPod nano (2005)

Black fourth-generation iPod nano, 8 GB, front and back. Photo: Aconcagua, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Original file unchanged by us; not a launch photo.

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