iPod news: nano review; no nano for NZ; accessorize for the holidays; going 60; iPod Bar; iTunes on X86s

PC World gives the 2GB iPod nano 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. The iPod nano is tiny with a tiny scroll wheel to match. But the size is no impediment to functionality. The screen's resolution is high enough that it was readable but photos viewed in the near postage stamp sized screen were dark and difficult to look at. One more gripe is the placement of the headphone jack, perventing users to make it stand on a table while listening to it. I think this is an unnecessary critique considering how thin the nano is, it would be very difficult to make it keep standing. That and the fact that the earphone wire would weigh down the nano if you do manage to make it stand.

New Zealanders are having a blue Christmas. Well, for those who wants an iPod nano in their Christmas stockings, that is. Reseller News reports that even though the 30GB and 60GB fifth generation iPods are in ample supply, it's the nano that people want, and supplies are short. It is also reported that Apple sold three times as much iPods last quarter than on Christmas 2004. This shortage has benefited Apple's rival, Creative, since people are after digital music players this hoiday season that they'll grab anything that's available. The holiday season has made some analyst perky about Apple's chances for success. Apple's estimates have been raised several times for the past few weeks. But some caution about jumping the gun considering resellers are facing iPod nano supply shortages for the holiday season. If rumors are true that Apple is holding back iPod supplies from resellers then it's a very bad move since people will look to theit competitors to fill their need for a digital music player.

For those who already have their 5G iPods and iPod nanos, the holidays brings the chance of getting a gift for their iPod. Aside from the very hot iPod nano and 5G iPod for the holidays, accessories for these players are also on top of the list as gifts. This is one of the things other digital music players don't have: a blooming industry of accessories that rakes in as much as, if not more than, the iPods.

IPod Garage releases The Big Sixty: hands-on reviews of sixty iPod nano accessories you should know abou.

An iPod Bar opens in Japan. No alchohol. Just service.

With Tiger running unoffically on Intel machines, hackers has now made iTunes run on X86s.