Some Feedback on the New iPod Nano

Question

Hey!
I really would like to get the new ipod Nano. I have never had an iPod before. I have been reading a lot of websites, forum posts here and MacRumors, iLounge, Cnet, as many places on the web as I could find that seemed to have credible info on the new iPods. I think the Touch is too difficult for my non-techie brain to handle and the shuffle does not have the FM Tuner. I read some good things about the Nano, mostly from exercisers, which is why I am buying it. But, I read more negative posts about the iPod Nano from people calling it a major mistake, a waste of money, etc. So after reading all the negative stuff about it I wanted to find out if this stuff is true, just due to the new Nano being so different then the previous Nano or what.
There seemed to be a lot of people bringing them back since they could not turn it off, but in my research it appears the Nano does not "turn off" per se but if done right it will sleep and not use hardly any battery power. There has been some complaints about the ear phone jack not inserting tight enough so it moves around and causes some crackling noise when using the ear phones. I would be getting some higher-end ear phones, but not sure if that would help or affect the antenna component that is in the ear phone cord of the Apple ear phones that come with the Nano.
I read some good things about it too. I was disappointed when I read that you can't sort the music into certain genre tunes or various exercise music according to beats per min once it is transferred to the Nano. I have no idea if this is true, what is true but really is not a big deal for a person using it for exercise.
I read from a lot of posts that this was a big mistake on Apple's part. I listened to the Nano at the Apple Store, it sounded OK to me. I have not seen any cases for it to keep the sweat off of it and when I do exercise, especially run and bike, I sweat like a pig--oh, pigs do not sweat.
Any feedback about all of these kinds of rumors or facts? Anybody care to share with me with their experience? Any opinions on the ear phone that come with the Nano or the Apple in the ear phones. Also, is it necessary to get the USB (white) charge adapter the iPhone uses for this ipod? I hear it can be plugged into the computer but if it sleeps it does not charge it. I have no idea how long it takes for an empty battery to fully charge.
I was also wondering what the 30 pin adaptor or the adaptor that comes with the Nano, is for. Is that to hook up to a dock?
Thanks for any opinions, thoughts, suggestions that anybody wants to share with me.

Answer 1

Feedback from individuals is neither rumor nor fact. It's just their opinion. How much credence to give the opinions of people you don't know is always a challenging question. I tend to give less to people who sound like their whining or who obviously have unrealistic expectaions or didn't do their research or won't even try to troubleshoot issues. People who sound reasonable, who give a balanced evaluation (i.e. NOT "This Nano is the worst thing Apple ever made!!!"), I'll pay more attention to.
I have one. I like it. Because of the cold weather and busy season at work, I haven't done much running in the last month. My Nano has been sitting, asleep on my nightstand. Hardly any battery drain. Yes, most computers wont' charge through the USB port if they are asleep. I use mine often enough that I don't have any problem charging my Nano.
Can't answer your questions about sorting by genre as I never do that and I don't have the Nano here with me to look at it. I make playlists based on BPM on my computer. This works for me.
I replace my 3rd gen Shuffle with this Nano. I liked the size of the Shuffle but was never happy with not having a screen. I'd always end up unable to find what I wanted to listen to. With the Nano, I have the benefits of the size, the clip but I can easily find what I want.
In my personal opinion all the headsets Apple ships with iPods are horrible. They are uncomfortable and won't stay in my ears. I throw them away. I have a pair of Etymotic ER6i's that I love. They are in canal, passive noise cancelling headsets that are not that expensive. The fit me. I can sleep in them. They don't fall out when running. There are lots of opinions on headsets.
I sweat a lot when I run. I just don't clip the Nano inside my clothes. Or where sweat from my face would drip on it.
So, I think the Nano works very well for the type of exercise I do. I've been very satisfied.