new iPod Nano charging issue

[Linda Cowls]

I just got a new 5th gen iPod Nano, and I LOVE it!! Even apart from
the bigger screen and video camera, just the FM radio and pedometer
functions alone are worth the price of admission.

The problem I'm having is with recharging the battery. I have an
iHome clock radio with iPod dock that I got 2-3 years ago, and when I
insert the new Nano, a message appears that "this appliance will not
recharge this unit." Thing is, I also have a brand new TEAC HD radio
that I got at CostCo just six month ago in May, and when I insert the
Nano it says "iPod Charging." But when I check it a few hours later,
the Nano is NOT CHARGED, even when I use the adapter.

If I use the USB cable that came with it, I have to use my Mac to re-
charge it, meaning I have to eject an external hard drive just to be
able to free up a USB port to plug the Nano in. This is a huge
nuisance.

Since the Nano dock seems to fit just fine on both radios, why is the
Nano unable to charge? Is this an issue with older Nanos as well?

...LINDA

[Ed Danley]

Just because you got it new at Costco doesn't mean it's "new", much less
current. Somebody could have been clearing out old inventory and what a
better place than Costco or Sams to offload at a discounted price.

About 2-3 years ago (interesting that it is the same time frame), Apple
switched from Firewire based charging to USB charging. The pins used to
charge a device are different. Apple had been saying they were going to do
this for 2-3 years before it switched but nobody listened and continued to
build stuff that was Firewire based. When Apple switched, many many
companies got caught with this type of problem. One of the biggest was BMW
cars touting iPod compatibility and all of a sudden it wouldn't work with
any newer iPod devices.

Solution? Really you don't have any. Return it to Costco if possible. Look
for something that says it can charge <specific newer device> like a 2nd
generation iPhone or a iPod Touch.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewire-to-usb-converter

Or simply do an Internet search for "ipod firewire usb charge"

[Linda Cowls]

Thanks for the replies. I had no idea Apple changed the pins, and
didn't know I needed an adapter!

Ed, I bought the iPod at Target two weeks ago, I got the TEAC HD
radio at CostCo in May so there's no return now, plus it was a great
deal ($129.00 HD radio with iTunes tagging, for $99). Both the newer
HD radio and the older iHome radio charge my older iPods just fine.
By the way, the TEAC radio will PLAY the Nano, so it can "read" the
pins... it just won't recharge it!

Geez... twenty bucks (or so) for an adapter to charge a $175 item?
That really ticks me off.