One of the things that makes the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad so much fun is their ability to run apps from the App Store. What about other iPods, though? Are they left out of the fun? If you own an iPod nano, you may be asking: can you get apps for iPod nano?
The answer is: it depends.
6th Generation iPod nano
When it comes to being able to run apps, the 6th gen. nano has probably the most confusing situation. That's because this model runs the iOS, the same operating system that the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad run, and though it runs some apps, it doesn't run third-party iOS apps.
The 6th generation iPod nano comes pre-installed with a handful of apps created by Apple. These include an FM radio tuner, pedometer, clock, and photo viewer. So, based on that, we know that the nano can run apps. However, as of this writing (January 2012), this model doesn't support any third-party, non-Apple apps from the App Store and there's no jailbreak that allows unofficial apps to be added.
While some people expect that this will eventually change and some kind of iOS apps will come to the 6th generation nano, Apple has given no official word on this so far. Given that the 6th gen. nano has been on the market since late 2010, perhaps it's more likely that we'll see apps on a nano in the next-generation model.
Learn more: 6th generation iPod nano Review | Compare Prices on the 6th Generation nano
3rd-5th Generation iPod nano
Unlike the 6th generation model, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation iPod nanos can run a limited number of third-party apps. However, these are not iPhone apps.
Instead, you can run a handful of games and study tools that were available at one time through the iTunes Store (not the App Store). These apps generally cost US$4.99. Apple removed these apps and games from the iTunes Store in late 2011 and, since these models aren't for sale anymore, it's seems unlikely that they'll reappear. If you bought these apps for your nano in the past, though, at least you'll still be able to use them.
Now that these models are no longer made, though, don't expect to see new apps added to this list.
Learn more: 5th generation iPod nano Review | Compare Prices on the 5th Generation nano
1st-2nd Generation iPod nano
These models can't run any kind of apps, neither iPhone apps nor the games that are compatible with their successors.
Learn more: Identifying the 1st generation iPod nano | Identifying the 2nd generation iPod nano
