Apple iPod nano 2016

Instead, I just reiterated my request. "I'd like an iPod nano, please."

He asked if I would instead be interested in the vast array of shiny, newer, and much more expensive Apple gadgets on display. But I didn't want an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or even an iPod touch.

I shook my head, and he still looked baffled. I finally said streaming music on my current smartphone (a Galaxy Note 5) drains the battery and I have 2,000-plus tracks locked to an old iTunes account. He nodded, realized this would be a swift sale, and disappeared to dig one out. I sat down to wait and eavesdrop on the various Genius Bar tutorials.

When the iPod nano arrived, I was shocked at how, well, nano it is. It's two-thirds the dimensions of a driver's license and doesn't weigh much more than a box of matches. I had a nice pang of nostalgia at the classic user interface while unboxing, though there's really not much to unbox.

Oh dear. Not so fast. One thing I'd forgotten about Apple is it likes to keep you locked into the ecosystem. The iPod nano requires connecting to a compatible device to sync with the iTunes platform; it won't do so remotely over Wi-Fi. Apple doesn't even provide a wall socket charger in the small hard plastic case, just a USB connector, headphones, and a paper-based set-up guide.

Luckily, I have a graveyard tech drawer at home. I rummaged around and found an old iPod charger, but I wasn't sure my abandoned Mac laptop could cope with a sync. Last year, I quit my MacBook Air for a Samsung Chromebook—a bold decision I'm still happy with. But the iPod couldn't talk to the Chromebook, so I pulled out the old Mac laptop.