iPod nano 2nd Generation (2006): History and Specs

Aluminium and colour by capacity

The second-generation iPod nano was announced on 12 September 2006. It kept the first model's 1.5-inch, 176 × 132 colour screen and Click Wheel but moved to an anodised aluminium body, measuring 3.5 × 1.6 × 0.26 inches and weighing 1.41 ounces. Capacity and colour were linked: 2GB in silver at US$149, 4GB in silver, pink, green or blue at US$199, and 8GB in black at US$249. Storage remained flash memory, and Apple said the range offered more than twice the music capacity of the previous generation for the same price.

What changed

Battery life rose from 14 hours to up to 24 hours of music, or 5 hours of slideshows with music. Apple also said the display was 40 per cent brighter than before. Macworld's review recorded more than 26 hours of playback on each model tested and found the screen distinctly brighter beside the original nano. New software features included gapless playback, a Search function and Quick Scroll, and a user-set maximum volume limit was available. The player synced over USB 2.0, could charge from USB or FireWire, and worked with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Redesigned earbuds and a USB 2.0 cable came in the box. Apple also introduced a compact US$29 USB power adapter, almost half the size of the previous one, and noted that the 30-pin dock connector kept the nano compatible with more than 3,000 iPod accessories.

(PRODUCT) RED editions

On 13 October 2006 Apple added a 4GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition at US$199, sold through its own retail and online stores. Apple contributed US$10 from each sale to the Global Fund, which supports HIV/AIDS programmes for women and children in Africa. An 8GB red model at US$249 followed on 3 November 2006, which Apple attributed to strong customer demand.

Replacement

Apple replaced the line on 5 September 2007 with the third-generation iPod nano, which had a 2-inch, 320 × 240 display and played video.

Specifications

Figures from Apple's published technical specifications. Where Apple lists only inches and ounces, metric values are converted and rounded.

How to identify it

• A coloured anodised aluminium case, smaller than the first nano.
• The dock connector and the headphone jack are both on the bottom.
• Model number A1199. The red (PRODUCT) RED edition of 2006 is this generation.

Where to find the model number and serial number: how to identify a used iPod.