iPod newbie question about docks

[JonInMiddleGA]

Bought our son an iPod for Christmas yesterday.
It's an Apple® - iPod® nano 4GB* MP3 Player - Silver
Model: MA978LL/A
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8500491&type=product&id=1186004962410

I saw a couple of dock/alarm clock combos that specifically said on the box that they were compatible with this model but I really wasn't gung ho about dropping another $99 on the accessory, was hoping for something more in the $49 range.

I'm worried about compatability between his model & dock options in that price range but I noticed that the parts list includes "... dock adapter ..."

Does that mean that the lower price models could handle his iPod?
Or am I stuck with the newer docks at the higher price?

Thanks in advance.

[stevew]

most of the cheaper stuff doesn't have the necessary adapters to snugly nestle the new fatter nano into the dock. However the jack on the bottom of the ipod is universal, so they will fit in any kind of docking thing.....only caveat being that they may move around a bit since there's not an exact adapter to hold it. the adapter is just a piece of plastic.

[JonInMiddleGA]

the jack on the bottom of the ipod is universal, so they will fit in any kind of docking thing

Big thumbs up, thanks for the info (I definitely didn't have the foggiest idea about that).

[miked]

I got my wife the iLuv last year and it works great. I think it's in the 50-75 range, though that was probably almost a year ago. The big thing for her was that it had a remote, as many docking stations do not come with them (the under $100 models). I pretty much went to buy.com and then researched all the ones they had because I had a coupon and they were offering $$ off for using google checkout.

[miked]

Dola-

Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-I177BLK-Speaker-System-Black/dp/B000ETY3LO

I have an iPod mini (yes, it's old) and it charges the player and has pretty good sound quality. It's not going to be amazing if you need the best sound ever, but I think amazon has it around $60 or so.

[terpkristin]

It's been mentioned here before, but if you have questions about features, reviews, etc for iPod accessories, I wholeheartedly recommend http://www.ilounge.com/ .

As steve and mike mentioned, the dock on the bottom of the iPod is more or less the same as it's been FOR AUDIO since the 3rd generation iPod (the first one that was released for Windows). With the iPhone, iTouch, and 6th generation iPods (80 and 160 GB "Classic" ones and the new Nano's), they changed the video output in the connector. What that means is that for people with the 5th generation (or 5.5 generation) iPod is that the docks (and speaker-docks) that they have with video out (like my Logitech AudioStation) won't do the video out part with the new iPods (I can watch shows on my iPod through the video out on the dock on my TV).

And, for whatever it's worth, if you decide to get an alarm clock in the $100 range, I have 2 iHome iH5r's and my sister has 1, and we both love them. She uses hers in the bathroom, I have one in my bathroom (for when I'm getting ready in the morning to help me wake up) and one as my alarm clock in my room. They have remotes, and are quite nice. I found them by looking at the reviews over at iLounge.

/tk

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, wth "generation" is the one I just bought?

I thought it was either 3rd or 4th but since I didn't even know there was a 5, 5.5, or 6, I realize that I probably don't have the slightest f'n clue.

[terpkristin]

Okay, wth "generation" is the one I just bought?

I thought it was either 3rd or 4th but since I didn't even know there was a 5, 5.5, or 6, I realize that I probably don't have the slightest f'n clue.

I think that what you just bought is considered a 3rd generation nano (which was originally a re-do of the mini, I think). I said 6th generation because it came out with the 6th generation of the "classic" iPod (along with the iPod Touch).

1st gen iPod (buttons around wheel): http://lowendipod.com/art/1g_ipod.jpg

2nd gen iPod: (I think it looked very similar to the 1st gen)

3rd gen iPod (4 buttons below screen): http://homepage.mac.com/marc.heijligers/audio/ipod/comparison/files/page5_2.jpg

4th gen iPod (first "click-wheel" buttons integrated into wheel): http://www.myportablelife.com/images/4gipod.gif

5th & 5.5 gen iPod (adds video support, first with color?): http://pocketpccentral.net/mp3c/images/ipod/5th_ipod_white.jpg

6th gen iPod "classic" (increases capacity significantly), looks same as 5th gen but thinner

First and 2nd generation iPod nano's looked a lot alike. The 1st gen looked a bit like a thinner-width iPod, and had color. The 2nd gen made the case a brushed anodized aluminum (instead of the classic white and black), and rounded the sides, but it was generally similar to the 1st line. The 3rd generation is the new one that is squatter and fatter and plays video.

1st gen iPod nano: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/KoolgiyBlackNano.JPG/150px-KoolgiyBlackNano.JPG

2nd gen iPod nano: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Nano_omores.jpg/150px-Nano_omores.jpg

3rd gen iPod nano: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1f/Ipod_nano_g3_003.jpg/200px-Ipod_nano_g3_003.jpg

/tk

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks TK, what I bought is definitely the 3rd gen nano pic posted last.

I also now have a good reminder why I've never gotten into the iPod thing, too damned complicated for me to try to keep up with (but I'm glad somebody did so that the question could be answered).

[terpkristin]

Thanks TK, what I bought is definitely the 3rd gen nano pic posted last.

I also now have a good reminder why I've never gotten into the iPod thing, too damned complicated for me to try to keep up with (but I'm glad somebody did so that the question could be answered).

Glad to know my dorkiness can be useful!!! ;) Seriously, if you've got any questions, feel free to ask. :)

/tk

[JonInMiddleGA]

Glad to know my dorkiness can be useful!!! ;) Seriously, if you've got any questions, feel free to ask. :)

Thanks.

Those will most likely come Christmas Day when we're trying to figure out how to make the blasted thing work.

[stevew]

you might want to go ahead and download the itunes software and get it set up w/ your music beforehand.

[JonInMiddleGA]

you might want to go ahead and download the itunes software and get it set up w/ your music beforehand.

I've been using iTunes on my p.c. for a couple of years now, but it's been for the purpose of buying music and then burning it to CD. The only places I ever listen to music are either in my car or sitting here at my desk, so have it on my hard drive plus one CD copy has been quite sufficient.

Heck, it's probably sufficient for my son too ... but we were really struggling trying to come up with something for his Christmas list so this was something I came up with to help pad his take. Fingers crossed that it's well received.