The Apple iPod nano 3rd Generation, a portable MP3 player, was a revolutionary device in its time. Manufactured and sold by Apple from 2007 to 2008, it marked a significant milestone in the iPod series. Launched on September 5, 2007, the iPod nano 3rd Gen started at an affordable price of $149.
This iteration of the iPod nano introduced groundbreaking features, including video playback, an enhanced user interface with Cover Flow, and a sleek new design. The two-inch display, boasting 204 pixels per inch, enabled users to enjoy their favorite movies, TV shows, and music videos in remarkable clarity. Additionally, the device came preloaded with three entertaining games, with the option to purchase more from the iTunes Store.
With up to 24 hours of audio playback or five hours of video playback on a single charge, the iPod nano 3rd Gen was a portable entertainment powerhouse. Its all-metal design, crafted from anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel, offered durability and elegance. Available in five vibrant colors—silver, black, blue, green, and a special (PRODUCT) RED edition—it appealed to a wide range of tastes. On January 22, 2008, Apple launched an additional Pink color to the iPod nano lineup.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO at the time, expressed excitement about the device’s evolution, stating, “We’ve taken the most popular music player in the world and added stunning video playback just in time for the holiday season.” Indeed, each new generation of the iPod nano brought forth enhancements, delighting users worldwide.
Noteworthy improvements included a 65 percent brighter display compared to its predecessor and an enhanced user interface that showcased album artwork and photos with finesse. The introduction of Cover Flow allowed users to navigate their music collection effortlessly using the Click Wheel.
Furthermore, the iPod nano 3rd Gen catered to gaming enthusiasts, featuring pre-loaded games like iQuiz, Vortex, and Klondike. Additional titles such as Sudoku, Tetris, and Ms. PAC-MAN were readily available for download from the iTunes Store.
Seamless integration with iTunes simplified content management, allowing users to import and sync their favorite music, videos, and games effortlessly. The iTunes Store offered a vast selection of content, with over six million songs available for preview and purchase.
The iPod nano 3rd Generation was part of a diverse lineup of iPods, including the iPod Shuffle, iPod Classic, and iPod Touch. This family of digital music players boasted over 100 million units sold, solidifying Apple’s dominance in the market.
Featuring a lightweight aluminum case available in six enticing colors, a vibrant 2-inch color LED-backlit LCD screen, and up to 24-hour battery life, the iPod nano 3rd Gen was a symbol of innovation and versatility.
Although discontinued on September 9, 2008, the legacy of the iPod nano 3rd Generation lives on. Today, as it celebrates its 17-year anniversary, it remains a testament to Apple’s commitment to revolutionizing the way we experience music and entertainment.
iPod nano 3rd Generation Details
| Introduced | September 5, 2007 – 17 years ago January 22, 2008 (Pink) – 16 years ago |
| Discontinued | September 9, 2008 – 16 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 12 months (1 year) |
| Model Number | A1236 |
| EMC | 2174 |
| Order Number | MA978LL/A (4 GB Silver) MA980LL/A (8 GB Silver) MB249LL/A (8 GB Blue) MB253LL/A (8 GB Green) MB261LL/A (8 GB Black) MB453LL/A (8 GB Pink) |
| Original Price | $149 (4 GB) $199 (8 GB) |
| Colors | Silver Blue Green Pink Black (PRODUCT) RED |
| Weight | 1.74 oz. – 49 Grams |
| Dimensions | 2.75” H x 2.06” W x 0.26″ D 6.98 cm H x 5.23 cm W x 0.66 cm D |
iPod nano Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Samsung ARM-based chip |
| Processor Speed | Unknown |
| Architecture | Unknown |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| Cache | Unknown |
Storage
| Storage | 4 GB 8 GB |
Display
| Built-in Display | 2″ color LED-backlit LCD Display |
| Resolutions | 320 x 240 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 204 ppi |
Media
| Audio Formats | AAC (16 to 320 Kbps) Protected AAC MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps) MP3 VBR Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4) Apple Lossless AIFF WAV |
| Photo Formats | JPEG BMP GIF TIFF PNG PSD (Mac only) |
| Video Formats | H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats |
Connections
| Ports | 1 – 30-pin Dock Connector 1 – 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack |
| Camera | None |
Controls
| Controls | Play/Pause Next title Previous title Menu Hold Click wheel |
Software
| Maximum OS | 1.1.3 |
| iTunes | iTunes 7.4 or later |
| System Requirements | Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later Windows Vista or later |
Accessories
| Accessories | Earbud headphones USB cable Dock Adapter |
Power
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable Lithium-Ion |
| Battery Capacity | Unknown |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours of music Up to 5 hours of slideshows with music |
| Charge Time | Up to 3 hours 1.5 hour to 80% capacity |
| Power | Charging via USB 2.0 or Power adapter |
iPod nano 3rd Generation Introduction Video
Further Reading and References
- iPod nano (3rd generation): Technical Specifications – Apple Support
- Apple Introduces All New iPod nano – Apple Newsroom
- Apple Adds Pink to the iPod nano Lineup – Apple Newsroom
- Identify your iPod model – Apple Support
- iPod Nano – Wikipedia
- 3rd Generation iPod nano – Low End Mac
- iPod nano (3rd Generation) – Apple History
- Apple iPod nano (3rd generation) – Review 2010 – PCMag UK
- Apple iPod Nano (third generation) review – CNET
- Review: Third-generation iPod nano – MacWorld
- Apple iPod Nano third-generation – The Register
