iPod Nano alternatives?

asdad123 · Jul 20, 2018

So my parents are looking for an easy to sync media player that will sync with music purchased from the iTunes store. They want something small, and mentioned their friend has an iPod nano and would like one like that... one problem though. Apple no longer makes the iPod nano!

Any suggestions for a MP3 player that syncs directly to iTunes (does one even exist?). This is for my older parents that are not too good with technology. Reason i am mentioning iTunes is because they own a MacBook pro.

Thanks!

MadJakeChurchill · Jul 20, 2018

Music bought from iTunes is DRM-free, so convert them to mp3 and put them on any old device.

asdad123 · Jul 20, 2018

MadJakeChurchill said:
Music bought from iTunes is DRM-free, so convert them to mp3 and put them on any old device.

Exactly what I am trying to avoid actually. The less steps the better for them.

Kthulhu · Jul 20, 2018

An iPod touch, or just buy a used Nano.

MadJakeChurchill · Jul 20, 2018

asdad123 said:
Exactly what I am trying to avoid actually. The less steps the better for them.

Then your only bet is used nanos/Touches.

Heromanz · Jul 20, 2018

A iPhone?

signal · Jul 20, 2018

Check some posts here - https://www.resetera.com/threads/anyone-using-a-portable-music-player-besides-a-phone.32152/

e: oh needs iTunes sync. Can't just be drag and drop from folders?

King Alamat · Jul 20, 2018

A used nano? I've been using the same device for ten years and aside from a l

tsampikos · Jul 20, 2018

To those saying itouch and iphone...

The nano is a fraction of the size and weight of the thing youre suggesting and the stripped down ui was faster and easier to use. We want the form factor of the nano... a currently underserved niche. Not a phone.

signal · Jul 20, 2018

tsampikos said:
We want the form factor of the nano... a currently underserved niche.

Unless a slightly thicker body will kill you, there are several of products in this category.

Kthulhu · Jul 20, 2018

tsampikos said:
To those saying itouch and iphone...

The nano is a fraction of the size and weight of the thing youre suggesting and the stripped down ui was faster and easier to use. We want the form factor of the nano... a currently underserved niche. Not a phone.

Apparently it's not all that underserved seeing as how Apple killed it off. Plus it's not like existing Nanos just stopped working with iTunes.

komaruR · Jul 20, 2018

just get those usb mp3 player on amazon or ebay if you want small.

Daitokuji · Jul 20, 2018

You can find them on ebay.

signal · Jul 20, 2018

shanling m0 abandon itunes

Quantum Leap · Jul 20, 2018

iPod touch are already pretty tiny.

signal · Jul 20, 2018

Jzeero said:
iPod touch are already pretty tiny.

Not so small. iPhone but still

stone616 · Jul 21, 2018

I bought a new iPod Nano 16GB from Walmart last October. Some stores may still have them.

XenIneX · Jul 21, 2018

That's a product segment I haven't looked into in a very long time. But seeing as how it appears to have been entirely stagnant since then, I feel pretty comfortable pointing you toward the Sansa Clip line of players. That's what I (mostly) used before smartphones swallowed everything.

The UI is distinctly dated, but I suspect that's the norm -- it's not like anyone's throwing real R&D money into "dedicated MP3 players". The current ones support AAC files natively, and file management is pretty much drag-n-drop. You can pick them up at the local Best Buy (among other places, I'm sure), and they're dirt cheap at $30-$60. Looks like the cheap one -- the Sansa Clip Jam -- supports microSD storage. Meanwhile, the "expensive" one -- the Sansa Clip Sport Plus -- has built in Bluetooth, but is limited to the built-in 16gb of storage. Supposedly there's a non-Plus version of that which trades the Bluetooth for a microSD slot, but Best Buy doesn't stock it... *shrug*.

Outside of that, you're probably only going to run into a mix of overpriced "audiophile" bait, and Alibaba landfill runoff. It's just not a healthy market.

turbobrick · Jul 21, 2018

signal said:
Not so small. iPhone but still

The ipod touch is still smaller than the iphone pictured. Its size of an iphone 5/5s/SE but thinner. Though I do agree its still larger than a dedicated small music player. I suggest OP just find a used ipod nano.

P-Switch · Jul 21, 2018

I'm with you OP

iPod Nano is the perfect music form factor device for me. Running, working out...I can not tolerate my iPhone size/weight. So touch is pretty much a no go.

Have had to buy 3 nanos in the last 10 years...getting harder :(

The whole reason I clicked on this thread is funnily enough, 2 days ago I dropped my nano in my martini. Now, the FireWire cable doesn't read when connected.

You can still get some from amazon (if you aren't too picky about color)...if you live in the US?

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Genera...d=1532155437&sr=8-1&ref=mp_s_a_1_1&th=1&psc=1

hateradio · Jul 21, 2018

You can always buy used Nanos from Amazon or eBay if you're willing to take some small risk.

MadJakeChurchill said:
Music bought from iTunes is DRM-free, so convert them to mp3 and put them on any old device.

Don't do this.

If the player supports MP4 (AAC), then you shouldn't have to convert to MP3.

lemonade · Jul 21, 2018

The new apple watch can download music now.

rckvla · Jul 21, 2018

If they're using a smart phone, I suggest going with that and Spotify instead. It syncs to all of your devices.

Bestlaidplans · Jul 21, 2018

P-Switch said:
I'm with you OP

iPod Nano is the perfect music form factor device for me. Running, working out...I can not tolerate my iPhone size/weight. So touch is pretty much a no go.

Have had to buy 3 nanos in the last 10 years...getting harder :(

The whole reason I clicked on this thread is funnily enough, 2 days ago I dropped my nano in my martini. Now, the FireWire cable doesn't read when connected.

You can still get some from amazon (if you aren't too picky about color)...if you live in the US?

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Generation-MKMX2LL-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B018F7WEFS?keywords=ipod+nano&qid=1532155437&sr=8-1&ref=mp_s_a_1_1&th=1&psc=1

Could get a Watch with music built in?

Ratrat · Jul 21, 2018

signal said:
Not so small. iPhone but still

What is that on the right?

signal · Jul 21, 2018

Ratrat said:
What is that on the right?

Shanling m1. m0 is smaller.

P-Switch · Jul 21, 2018

pbsapeer said:
Could get a Watch with music built in?

How much storage space does an Iwatch have for music?

Pbae · Jul 21, 2018

I have a Shangling M0 and it's the best thing ever.

Charges on USB C
Doubles as a usb DAC
Amazing battery
Bluetooth
Doesn't a native OS

zychi · Jul 21, 2018

Id say get a used touch, it can download/play music without ever touching a computer as well

shnurgleton · Jul 21, 2018

Just buy a used nano

signal · Jul 21, 2018

Pbae said:
Amazing battery

Whoa now.

kiguel182 · Jul 21, 2018

P-Switch said:
How much storage space does an Iwatch have for music?

Not a lot. 4gb I think?

You are supposed to just download some playlists to go run with it.

Pbae · Jul 21, 2018

signal said:
Whoa now.

Yup I charge mine once a week and use it daily for commute and gym. So a couple hours each day.

signal · Jul 21, 2018

Pbae said:
Yup I charge mine once a week and use it daily for commute and gym. So a couple hours each day.

It's only like 9 hours rated iirc which is ok for the size but I don't know about amazing. sony nw-a line with its like 45 hours is more deserving.

Pbae · Jul 21, 2018

Maybe since I turn Bluetooth off, screen as 30% brightness with screen off after 5 seconds with the black background?

It's been stellar but I agree with you "for it's size."

Anti · Jul 21, 2018

What about a zune?

Roge_NES · Jul 21, 2018

Get them a used iPod video or classic and a new battery from Amazon.

Third Strike · Jul 21, 2018

How about an Apple Watch? I believe you can sync your music from iTunes onto the device. Plus it's small.

Deleted member 8860 · Jul 21, 2018

https://www.lifewire.com/mp3-players-you-can-use-with-itunes-2000486

the following devices do work with iTunes:

Astell & Kern AK70
Astell & Kern AK Jr
Fiio X7
ONKYO DP-X1
Pioneer XDP-300R
PonoPlayer
Questyle QP1R DAP
Sony Walkman NW-ZX2
Sony Walkman NWZ-A15

Edit: Actually, I don't think this list is accurate.

PhoncipleBone · Jul 21, 2018

P-Switch said:
How much storage space does an Iwatch have for music?

2GB, at least on the series 2 that I have. It will only sync with items from iTunes or AppleMusic, so no Spotify or anything. Of course, that was also the case with the Nano as far as I remember.

You just pick a playlist you want on your watch and it syncs it over. It is very convenient when going for a walk or run. I just need to take a house key, bluetooth earbuds, and my watch. Nothing weighing me down at all.

lunarworks · Jul 21, 2018

Just get a used iPod nano. It may be old, but it works well. If they're used to and happy with iTunes, ignore the suggestions to abandon it for other methods.

Deleted member 2802 · Jul 21, 2018

Pbae said:
I have a Shangling M0 and it's the best thing ever.

Charges on USB C
Doubles as a usb DAC
Amazing battery
Bluetooth
Doesn't a native OS

Hi-Res Audio too nice

Sobriquet · Jul 21, 2018

You can still get a new Nano on Amazon.

Seirith · Jul 21, 2018

I have a very old second Gen Ipod nano which I keep connected to my car most of the time. It still works great and still holds a charge for the few times a year I take it out of the car and use it as an mp3 player. I got it on ebay a very long time ago.

Bestlaidplans · Jul 21, 2018

P-Switch said:
How much storage space does an Iwatch have for music?

Could get a Garmin Watch? They have storage too. If you need for gym and that how much music do you need on thereV

P-Switch · Jul 21, 2018

kiguel182 said:
Not a lot. 4gb I think?

You are supposed to just download some playlists to go run with it.

PhoncipleBone said:
2GB, at least on the series 2 that I have. It will only sync with items from iTunes or AppleMusic, so no Spotify or anything. Of course, that was also the case with the Nano as far as I remember.

You just pick a playlist you want on your watch and it syncs it over. It is very convenient when going for a walk or run. I just need to take a house key, bluetooth earbuds, and my watch. Nothing weighing me down at all.

pbsapeer said:
Could get a Garmin Watch? They have storage too. If you need for gym and that how much music do you need on thereV

I use it for everything...gym, running, biking, on set at work, driving, in line...I fill it with a radio show and podcasts. I like to put a wide variety of music on there cause I don't want the same music for the same thing.

Syncing and shuffling music/shows in and out of a 4gb drive every day is just not something I'm willing to do lol.

Plus I hate wearing stuff on my hands and wrists :P

VeePs · Jul 29, 2018

asdad123 said:
So my parents are looking for an easy to sync media player that will sync with music purchased from the iTunes store. They want something small, and mentioned their friend has an iPod nano and would like one like that... one problem though. Apple no longer makes the iPod nano!

Any suggestions for a MP3 player that syncs directly to iTunes (does one even exist?). This is for my older parents that are not too good with technology. Reason i am mentioning iTunes is because they own a MacBook pro.

Thanks!

I saw this on slickdeals today and thought of this thread. Idk what price your looking at but here: https://slickdeals.net/f/11873407-s...al-audio-player-w-bluetooth-150-free-shipping

Deleted member 17092 · Jul 29, 2018

You're just going to want to buy a used nano.

iPod Nano alternatives?

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