Best iPod touch alternatives

Round-up by: Nate Lanxon

Last updated: 05 Sep 2008

If you don't want to be bound by the iPod/iTunes ecosystem required by the iPod touch, but still want the benefits of touch-controlled navigation in an MP3 player, we've got four killers for you to consider.

Samsung's YP-P2 enjoys the same form factor as the iPod touch, the same rugged touchscreen and similarly simple operation. It also adds stereo Bluetooth and FM radio, though it suffers weaker file format support than the touch, and has a smaller screen.

The Archos 605 WiFi is one of our favourite portable video players, and far more suited to mobile video than music. It's a true movie-lover's gadget, and packs in full Web browsing. It works as a DVR too and has up to 160GB of internal storage.

Like the 605 WiFi, Cowon's Q5W rocks a massive touch-sensitive screen, but adds incredible audio and video format support, Microsoft Office document compatibility, and integrated TV-out functionality. But unlike the touch, it's not great for music playback on the go.

Finally, a touch alternative that does portable audio arguably better than the touch, with heaps of other features to boot -- the Cowon D2. It's nowhere near as easy to use, or as seamless in terms of menu layout, but it's the audiophile's player of choice, with exceptional sound quality.