Apple iPod nano (2nd generation, 4GB) review

The 2G nano gets cozy with its predecessor, along with a couple of competitors: the Creative Zen V Plus and the iRiver Clix

Design
The second-generation 2G nano shuns simple white and steps out in a metallic colour parade, with shiny silver available in the 2GB and 4GB flavours; bright pink, green and blue offered in 4GB; and sombre black taking the 8GB version. The body casing itself is rather like a minified Mini shell -- it's seamless anodised aluminium, which means the 2G nano is not only less scratch-prone than its predecessor, but also more durable in general.

As with the old nano, the 2G features the much praised iPod Click Wheel, which serves as the player's only controls (other than the hold switch on the top). Above the Click Wheel is the rather small (35mm) colour display, which is 40 per cent brighter than that of its predecessor, and the bottom edge of the player houses the headphone jack and proprietary dock connector. A larger screen would have been a welcome improvement, but the benefit is the uniformity of screen size and overall dimensions (the 2G is just a hair thinner and taller than the previous nano -- 90mm by 40mm by 6.5mm) -- all the made-for-nano accessories should work well with the new model.

The new nano plays nice with Altec Lansing's inMotion iM500 speakers

As with other iPods, the 2G nano is easy to navigate, though the Click Wheel may take a little getting used to for first-time users, especially those used to other MP3 player controls. The Main Menu includes selections for Music, Photos, Extras, Settings and Shuffle Songs -- this last option is particularly handy. Music is conveniently sorted by Playlists, Artists, Albums and so on. If you can't remember who a particular song or album falls under, you can use the new Search function (found in the Music submenu).