Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation, 16GB, silver)

Pros: +16 GB storage
+Sound quality improved
+Shake to Shuffle
+Genius playlist on the fly

Cons: -The latest generation of ipods won't charge when connected to third party devices (Car adapters, Bose sound dock...etc..)
-cover flow auto switch
-Curved screen glare
-Battery life not improved

Summary: Overall I like the new design the rotate feature to watch videos is nice. The sound quality is a noticble improvement, and having 16gb of storage space in the nano is truly impressive.

The battery life seems to be less than that of my previous 3rd gen ipod nano (the square nano). I haven't conducted any tests but the battery life bar seems to drop off faster than on the previous generation.

Another feature is the auto switch to cover flow when turned sideways, this "feature" should be able to be disabled, becasue there are times when running with my ipod or in daily use because of the size, I do not wish to select a song in cover flow. It looks cool, but provides little in terms of quickly determining what you want to play next.

It seems Apple designs cripping features into their next gen releases for whatever reason. I do not like the fact that the ipod must be charged through a USB port and all other third party devices that used the firewire pin on the multi-pin connector for charging are rendered useless (most if not all docking speakers/car chargers/ etc... )

I have a ipod cable adapter to my car stereo, with my old ipod I would plug it in and it will charge and I would be able to control selections through the ipod. With the latest gen ipod nano, the ipod no longer charges and I can't control my selection through the ipod (Screen is blank). I have to unplug the ipod, select a new playlist, then plug back into the car adapter...this is ridiculous.

This trend has happened before with Apple in the latest Ipod Classic, where the video output is crippled and you must buy a seperate adaptor, I will say this, the more Apple continues to limit the flexibility of their products the less likely I am to purchase them.

Overall this ipod purchase doesn't equal the same estatic feeling of previous purchases, and in some sense leaves me with the sense of being suckered for slicker looks and less functionality. I have owned 6 different Ipods and have always sang their praises...this time I wish I could be so enthusiastic.

three stars.