Apple iPod Touch vs Archos 605 WiFi

• The Contenders
• Navigation
• Sexiness
• Compatibility
• Sound and Science
• Wallet factor
• The winner is...

Round 1: Navigation

Is a touch screen enough?

Apple iPod Touch

Both the iPod Touch and Archos 605 WiFi use futuristic touch screens for menu navigation and playback control. While the iPod Touch is controlled strictly by Apple's patented multi-touch-screen technology, the Archos 605 WiFi can be controlled by both the screen and a set of tactile navigation controls that line the side of the device. Which navigation system works better? Our individual judge's ratings are based on a zero- to five-point scale, which results in a final score of 0 to 15 per round.

Player	Jasmine	Donald	Nicole	Total
Archos 605 WiFi	4 The combination of a touch screen and tactile controls is nice, but the buttons lining the side take some getting used to.	4 There's something reassuring about the Archos 605's deliberately redundant set of tactile controls--especially when you need to turn the volume down. The Archos' touch-screen control is not quite as responsive as Apple's.	3 Though I liked the Archos's multiple switches and touch-screen interface, I just wasn't wowed by the menu layout and the unusual placing of the controls.	11
Apple iPod Touch	4 It's definitely fun--and easy to use. Plus, I dig the icon-driven interface. However, I personally still prefer buttons.	4 If nothing else, the iPod Touch and iPhone have demonstrated that you can make an exceptional portable device using only a touch-screen interface. This is also the only iPod Apple makes where their Cover Flow navigation is actually useful.	4 We do miss having buttons on the iPod Touch, but its menu interface is far easier than the Archos', and the layout makes a lot more sense.	12

Winner: Apple iPod Touch