Hands-on with the new iPhone 5 and iPods (video)

You won’t have to wait until the 21st to take a look at Apple’s iPhone 5, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano. We got hands-on videos with all three devices, as well as the new maps app and the new panorama feature in the iPhone 5.

Let’s hope this tides you over until you can hit the pre-order button on Friday.

iPhone 5: Maps App

The iPhone 5 is obviously longer, leaner, lighter, and thinner, but while the form factor is nice, it’s iOS 6 that you’re really going to be interacting with on a daily basis. The new maps app in iOS 6 is one of those apps you’ll probably use a lot. The Maps App replaces Google Maps and was built from the ground-up by Apple. It has really nice-looking 3-D imaging, as well as a “fly-over” feature, that lets you zoom in and “fly” around buildings at a bird’s eye view. It also comes with turn-by-turn directions dictated by Siri’s voice. Sadly, we couldn’t get the turn-by-turn navigation to work for this demo, since, well, we weren’t going anywhere.

iPhone 5: Panorama Feature

Aside from the Maps App, the camera is another heavily used element of the iPhone. The camera itself got a slight upgrade, but it’s the panorama feature that really impresses us. The iPhone 5 gives you an option to take spanning panorama photos, and will automatically stitch together each shot you take. The process of taking the photo is pretty easy too. An arrow guides you around the landscape and tells you at what pace you should move. Looking at details in a panoramic photo is pretty cool too. Check it out as we zoom in on some passers-by:

iPod Touch

The iPod Touch really has gotten a big makeover. It no longer makes you think of a pared-down version of the iPhone, but instead has its own look and feel with the aluminum casing. It does follow the iPhone in screen size, however, with an upgrade to the new, 4-inch dispaly. The Touch is really lightweight as well, almost too lightweight. It feels delicate when you first hold it, but its seems sturdy enough to withstand a drop or two. Other than the standard black, the iPod Touch is also available in 5 new colors overall. Check it out:

iPod Nano

The iPod Nano got some love as well. The tiny, square screen people are used to is replaced by a 2.5 inch touch display. It still has the volume controls on the side, but other content surfing can be done with your finger. It is also thinner, and obviously longer. However, the Nano goes beyond a music player now. It is outfitted with a pedometer and fitness application, making it competitive with other small fitness devices like the Striiv, though the app is far less robust. We tried to get the pedometer working in the video below, it sadly didn’t come to life. That’s probably because I was just stomping my feet and not actually walking anywhere.

Lastly, let’s leave you with a song from the Foo Fighters. Oh yeah, that’s right, they showed up at the event:

iPhone 5 photo and videos via Meghan Kelly/VentureBeat

Source : venturebeat[dot]com