Apple iPod Nano (third generation, 8GB, red)

Pros: Better games, transfer speeds

Cons: iTunes, body size, too sensitive, scroll wheel, encrypted and slow firmware, Mac must be updated to use

Summary: The Apple iPod Nano is, well, not my favorite of all players, what with a lack of features (FM radio and recording) and mediocre sound quality. I own the 8GB model, my first iPod in years after my hell of a battle with the 20GB iPod 4th Generation HP. While it's more stable than the 4th Gen, I still feel like the iPod is mediocre at best and really overpriced.

In order to use the Nano on my Mac, I had to update my edition of Tiger in order to run iTunes (which one can ONLY get online, what the hell is that all about?). For first time ever, installing the iPod was easier on my PC (and it runs Vista Ultimate-- ouch for Apple).

My biggest pet peeve is that Apple has encrypted the firmware, meaning Rockbox will no longer run on any iPod after the 1st gen. iPod Nano.

iTunes is also the worst piece of bloatware to use (if on PC). Overwriting album art will screw up the paths on the iPods, meaning a black box will be displayed instead. I've also had occasions where album art will show up on the incorrect record. And if that isn't bad enough, Cover Flow combines albums that have the same title, even if they have different artists. This means that Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits record is mashed with Journey's Greatest Hits, which is also mashed with Queen's Greatest Hits. That's really annoying.

The iPod needs work. I do not recommend it.