# ipod nano questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 19, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265 "2008-02-19T16:38:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/1 "2008-02-19T16:38:45Z")
I was in the park walking my dogs and I found an IPOD nano. Internet search shows it gen 2 ,silver. It had ear phones . No body was around so I gave it to my wife. What do we need to make it work and what does it do besides play music.? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/2 "2008-02-19T16:41:27Z")
No, an iPod nano is NOT 10^-9 times smaller in size than a regula… nevermind you were askign something different… Anyway, to make it work you probably need to: [ul] [li]Get a cable to connect to the computer[/li][li]Get iTunes[/li][li]It should be simple fromt ehre[/li][/ul] As far as doing other things, as far as i can remember nanos are really only music players. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/3 "2008-02-19T16:45:05Z")
That is a pretty nice find. The ear phones are standard so just pick some up at any store with a small electronics area like Target or Radio shack for $10 or less. You need to download iTunes and some sort of charging/connecting cable as well. I got one for Christmas and it is way cool. You can watch movies or shows on it if you really want to. It has a nice clock with and alarm and you can even read books on it if you are determined enough. It is mainly for playing music but people come up with all kinds of cool things to do with them ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/4 "2008-02-19T16:46:15Z")
You might want to check the back and see if the owner’s name is engraved there… ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/5 "2008-02-19T16:50:44Z")
I believe the 2nd gen. Nanos will also display photos. Not video, though. The first time you hook it up to your computer, you probably will want to reset it to factory settings. That will erase everything that’s on it. Reseting it is one of the options available in iTunes. Also, if you go [here,](http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/ipod/) you can download the manual. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/6 "2008-02-19T17:38:49Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] The first time you hook it up to your computer, you probably will want to reset it to factory settings. [/QUOTE] Yes, because you sure wouldn’t want to maybe keep any of the music on it, and risk a violation of the DMCA. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/7 "2008-02-19T17:57:35Z")
How do you get the music if it is illegal to download it? ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/8 "2008-02-19T18:00:06Z")
You can get yourself a (even better than the original) connection cable [here](http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.34), for the princely sum of $2.18, shipping included. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/9 "2008-02-19T18:02:29Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] How do you get the music if it is illegal to download it? [/QUOTE] You can buy it from the iTunes store, or you can load (RIP) it from CDs you own. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/10 "2008-02-19T18:14:58Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] I believe the 2nd gen. Nanos will also display photos. Not video, though. The first time you hook it up to your computer, you probably will want to reset it to factory settings. That will erase everything that’s on it. Reseting it is one of the options available in iTunes. Also, if you go [here,](http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/ipod/) you can download the manual. [/QUOTE] I can confirm that photos are an option. It also can play games, has an address book, calendar and stop watch. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/11 "2008-02-19T18:26:04Z")
If I were you, I’d go through the iPod’s address book and see there’s any obvious way to contact the owner. (Though I suspect very few people use that feature…) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/12 "2008-02-19T18:47:38Z")
How do you do that? Plus it is running out of juice. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/13 "2008-02-19T18:49:52Z")
Just checked not running but out of juice. ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/14 "2008-02-19T18:57:10Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] Just checked not running but out of juice. [/QUOTE] Download iTunes and then plug the ipod into your PC. I am pretty sure you will need a dock, easy enough to purchase. The ipod should recharge in about an hour. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/15 "2008-02-19T20:00:01Z")
[QUOTE=unconventional] Download iTunes and then plug the ipod into your PC. I am pretty sure you will need a dock, easy enough to purchase. The ipod should recharge in about an hour. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Just a cable, actually; a doc is actually not that useful (and requires the cable to work, anyway). You might not even need to download iTunes to get it to charge. Re the OP: If, by doing so, you are able to identify the owner, I think it would be entirely reasonable to ask them to reimburse you for the cost of the cable. Back to the OP and what’s it useful for: I use mine - heavily - for podcasts (iTunes can link you up to thousands of them). Also for the occasional audiobook. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/16 "2008-02-19T21:58:08Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Yes, because you sure wouldn’t want to maybe keep any of the music on it, and risk a violation of the DMCA. 😉 [/QUOTE] A couple of years ago, my iPod was stolen out of my car, and I bought a used one on eBay. That one arrived fully loaded with some of the weirdest shit I’d ever heard, which left me thinking, “WTF kind of weirdo owned this thing before I got it?” which is probably EXACTLY what the JD who stole mine thought when he listened to my music. 😃 I’m just saying if it’s loaded up with music you can’t stand, resetting it is an easy way to ditch it all at once. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/17 "2008-02-19T23:36:39Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] A couple of years ago, my iPod was stolen out of my car, and I bought a used one on eBay. That one arrived fully loaded with some of the weirdest shit I’d ever heard, which left me thinking, “WTF kind of weirdo owned this thing before I got it?” [/QUOTE] Oh no! (checks, realizes Ipod is still where I left it). Damn, you had me going there… ---
**Author:** ![Raspberry\_NOT\_Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Raspberry\_NOT\_Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raspberry_NOT_Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/18 "2008-02-20T02:05:29Z")
A friend lost her iPod at uni and called me, distraught. I tried to console her, but couldn’t help laughing when she admitted that it wasn’t the trauma of losing her pod that was upsetting her, it was the trauma of being JUDGED by a random stranger who found it and heard the bizarre songs she had on it. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-nano-questions/438265/19 "2008-02-21T16:45:50Z")
My wifes friend is bringing over cables to recharge it.