Apple has once again raised the bar in the flash-memory based MP3 player market with its latest iPod nano. This third generation device excels in its user interface, crisp screen and ease of use.

The Apple iPod nano is as beautiful as ever, sporting an extremely thin body made from anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel. The real showstopper on this model, though, is the gorgeous two-inch display, one of the brightest and most in-depth ones we have ever seen. It makes videos and photos pop out in color.

The nano retains the Click Wheel found on most other iPods, allowing you to navigate through menus and song choices. Its redesigned on-screen user interface is more engaging than on previous models: a split-screen shows textual menus and photos from your personal collection or music artwork. One great new addition to the interface is called Cover Flow, which lets you "flip" through albums via CD cover art as if you were browsing your disc collection. It isn't a must-have feature, but it definitely brings a greater visual experience when picking music to enjoy.

Tests of the nano found quick speeds when transferring MP3s through a USB 2.0 connection. Audio playback exceeded 24 hours, also exceeding Apple's projected rechargeable battery life. Besides playing MP3s, the nano plays AAC files (Apple's proprietary format found through the iTunes store) and Audible audiobooks.

Video playback on the nano is rated at five hours and, in general, we found it to be a very pleasant experience. You have a choice of widescreen or full-screen display and, despite the small screen, the picture was very clear and not grainy. The same can be said for digital photos which you can transfer onto the nano from your computer. A nice touch is the ability to enjoy your personal shots in a photo slideshow .

Really, there are very few negative things to say about the iPod nano. If you are a clean freak, you might not enjoy smudged fingerprints on the player's back. The included earbuds sound good, but can get uncomfortable after long uses. The lack of features that many competitors can boast--an FM tuner or WMA file support, for starters--continue to be absent from generation to generation of iPod.

Apple dominates the MP3 player market for good reason, and the masterful iPod nano is just another reminder of why. We here at Consumer Guide have no problems in awarding it a Best Buy.


Pros: Sound quality, excellent design, bright screen
Cons: Fingerprint smudges on backside, included earbuds are uncomfortable

Warranty
1-year limited