With Apple’s new nano iPods, Apple has quietly added a feature that will be important to podcasters – the ability to record.

There are a variety of add-ons for iPods that let 5G iPod owners record at two quality settings – High (44.1KHz stereo) and Low (22.050KHz mono). Both options capture audio with very usable quality and can let you record hours of audio.

According to iLounge, “the new iPod nano works almost seamlessly with these recorders – in some ways, better than with the 5G iPod. Menus are the same as the 5G iPod‚Äôs: a Voice Memos option is available from Extras, and transforms the nano‚Äôs screen into a large recording clock with pause and stop/save options.”

nano iPods also have no hard drives, which makes them quieter for recording, and provides longer battery life.