CONSUMEr ELECTrONICS

Apple iPod touch (3rd generation)

Touch: The Song Remains the Same

The third generation of the iPod touch looks identical to the 2nd generation, but the capacities and prices are improved: 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399). There’s no built-in video camera, as had been rumored, which is a bit of a surprise, considering the less-expensive and muchtinier nano got one. With the touch, Apple’s focus remains firmly on music, and, more so than ever, portable gaming. Along with a nice speed bump come some app organization improvements and new Genius features, all of which are welcome additions. Even if there’s no exciting surprise with this touch iteration, after three long years, there’s still not a better portable media player out there.

The new iPod touch doesn’t just look like the old touch—it’s identical. The device is, as always, dominated by its luscious 3.5-inch glass touch-screen. With a 480-by-320 resolution, the display is the best in the business—only the LCD on the Zune HD, which is smaller, rivals the touch’s bright and responsive screen. The player’s top panel houses the Power button, the back of the player looks like a warped funhouse mirror, and the proprietary connection for the USB syncing cable lives on the bottom panel alongside the earphone jack. The Home button remains centered below the display. Though the new iTunes LP feature is very cool (including video, song lyrics, and liner notes with album purchases), you can only experience those extras in iTunes, not on the touch itself. Also, there’s no 802.11n support yet. Apple claims a 50 percent speed bump with this model, and I did notice the device reacted more quickly to button pushes and finger swipes, as well as a more fluid Web experience. One remaining Web gripe: There’s still no support for Flash, which is a feature I’d gladly trade for the slight speed boost.

On the software front, the new Genius for apps suggests apps you may like based on what you’ve already downloaded. And Genius Mix can organize your music into “mixes” based on genre. In a nutshell, when you improve the best player on the market, even if in tiny increments, it remains the best—and our Editors’ Choice. If you’re not an Apple fan, then check out the Zune HD review on page 33—Tim Gideon

Apple iPod touch (3rd generation)

8GB, $199 direct; 32GB, $299; 64GB, $399

L llll PROs Best touch-screen portable media player, period. Increased capacities at lower prices. Faster processing ideal for gaming. Top-notch Web browser. iTunes improvements include Genius Mixes, Genius-based app recommendations, and app organization. CONs Bundled earbuds still stink. Audio file support doesn’t include FLAC or OGG. Browser still lacks Flash support.

Apple iPod nano (5th generation)

New Nano is Better Than Ever

Remarkably, the latest iPod nano looks almost identical to its predecessor, but this player packs so much more into its small frame: A video camera, an FM tuner (a first for iPods!), a pedometer for joggers, and a larger screen. Priced at $149 for 8GB and at $179 for 16GB ($20 less than last year’s 16GB player), this nano is more affordable and capable than any similarly priced player out there—a hands down Editors’ Choice.

Aside from seven bright new colors, the new nano’s body is otherwise identical to the 4th-generation device. The screen, however, is significantly larger—2.2 inches as opposed to 2 (it may not sound like a lot, but on such a tiny player, that 0.2 inch makes a big difference), with a slightly higher resolution. The included earbuds act as an antenna for the new FM radio—finally. The big news here is the inclusion of a video camera, a mic, and a built-in speaker on the back panel. Nonetheless, video capture was crisp and vibrant (despite the low 640-by480 resolution), rivaling footage from mini camcorders. You can even choose from 15 effects, such as Sepia, Film Grain, and even Thermal and X-Ray. Unfortunately, the camera can’t capture still images and the mic isn’t great. Even so, no other media player has built-in video.

While the iPod touch has seen many challengers, the nano doesn’t have a serious enemy. Nothing else in this price range comes close to its ease-of-use and graceful design.—Tim Gideon

Apple iPod nano (5th generation)

16GB, $179 direct; 8GB, $149

L lllh PROs Built-in video camera, mic, and speaker. Larger display, but same-size frame as previous-gen nano. Excellent user interface. New Genius Mix feature. Adds an FM tuner and a pedometer. CONs So-so file support. Video camera can’t capture still images. Ships with Apple’s signature subpar earbuds.

Microsoft Zune HD

Zune Aims for Apple

After years of trying, has Microsoft finally beat Apple at its own game? Well, not quite. But the fantastic Zune HD certainly gives the iPod touch some worthy competition. The lack of a robust App Store is the only drawback for the Zune HD, which otherwise flaunts a beautiful touch-screen, an excellent user interface, HD radio, and the best browser we’ve seen since the Apple’s mobile Safari. While the touch is a better touch-screen player, the Zune HD is a close second.

A very good-looking gadget, the 16GB Zune HD is Onyx Black and the 32GB version is Platinum Silver. This Zune has a smaller, lighter frame than the iPod touch, measuring 4.0 by 2.1 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighing just 2.6 ounces. However, the Zune’s 3.3-inch OLED screen is noticeably smaller than the touch’s 3.5-inch LCD, but video still looks great on it. The touch and Zune HD seem nearly identical in touchscreen sensitivity.

Microsoft’s software updates, however, are still clunkier than Apple’s. But once you’re up and running, the software and interface are impressive. Also, the Zune HD supports only MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC files. The best new music feature on the Zune HD is the ability to purchase music wirelessly, thanks to integrated 802.11g. The Zune Marketplace makes it easy to browse for music on the player or your PC, but the Apps section currently has a very limited selection.

Overall, Microsoft has shown Apple that it, too, can make an attractive, easy-to-use player. If Microsoft is able to give birth to an App Store that can rival Apple’s, then the race could get interesting.—Tim Gideon

Microsoft Zune HD

16GB, $219.99 direct; 32GB, $289.99

l lllh PROs Gorgeous multi-touch OLED screen. Intuitive user interface with sharp, good- looking graphics. Strong Web browser. Wireless music purchasing, downloading, and syncing. HD radio. CONs Limited HD video support. Very slim pickings in the App section of the Zune Marketplace.

SMARTPHONES

HTC Hero (Sprint) $179.99 direct and up

PROS

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• Excellent build • Capacitive touch screen • Lots of new, useful applications • Inexpensive • Competitive price • Lightweight • Good image quality • Clever interface guides beginners • Fast performance • Top-notch image quality • Waterproof to 33 feet • Freezeproof to 14 degrees

Fahrenheit • Drop-proof up to 4 feet • Simple, intuitive design • Streams music wirelessly through iTunes without additional software

CONS • Some bugs • Slow Internet speeds • Lousy camera • LCD does not support Live

View • Kit lens produces soft images at wider apertures • Still image frame rate is a bit sluggish • Twice as thick as most competing rugged cameras • Protective window does not prevent fingerprints • No HD-video capture • Inconsistent signal strength • Included optional software works with PC only • Limited remote control functionality

BO TTOM LINE The HTC Hero is the best Google Android phone so far, but it falls just short of the other leaders in the smartphone field. The Sony A230 delivers terrific value and solid shots for an entry-level SLR, but it lacks features such as HD video capture and Live View. The PowerShot D10 is water-, freeze-, and shockproof, and it pumps out great-looking images, but if you’re looking for a slim camera, this isn’t it. You’ll find more reliable and graceful wireless audio solutions out there, but none can match the price or the simplicity of this device.

SPECS Sprint; Android OS 1.5; 3.2-inch, 480-by-320 LCD; 5.0MP camera; 4.5 by 2.2 by 0.5 inches (HWD); 4.5 ounces. D-SLR; 10.2MP; SD/MMC card slot; 3.5 by 4.8 by 2.6 inches (HWD); 1.5 pounds. Waterproof point-andshoot; 2.5-inch LCD; 35-to105 mm lens; 12.1MP; SD card slot; 2.8 by 4.3 by 1.9 (HWD). USB; wireless; RF; receiver, 1.1 by 2.7 by 3.9 inches (HWD).

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 $549.99 direct Canon PowerShot D10 $329.99 list

Lllhm Llllm MEDIA EXTENDERS

Creative Sound Blaster Wireless for iTunes + Receiver $149.99 direct

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BLUETOOTH HEADSETS

Motorola Endeavor HX1 $129.99 list Plantronics Discovery 975 $129.99 list

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• Very good audio quality • Excellent noise canceling • Stellar battery life • Easy-to-understand control scheme

• Voice quality is ever-so-slightly behind the top of the class • Stealth mode degrades sound quality to other callers

Motorola aims for the top of the headset class with the Endeavor HX1, a quality unit with a unique take on noise- cancellation technology.

0.7 by 1.9 by 0.5 inches (HWD); 0.5 ounces.

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• Stylish (for a headset) • Comfortable fit • Good sound quality • Carrying case doubles as a charger with an LCD display

• Poorly placed volume button • Noise canceling slightly behind the top of the class

Plantronics scores again with the Discovery 975, a slick, chrome-accented headset with a unique design and a surprisingly comfortable fit.

5 hours rated talk time; 0.3 ounces.

GPS

Magellan Maestro 4700 $299.99 list

SPEAKER DOCKS

Altec Lansing Mix iMT800 $299.95 direct

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• Responsive touch screen • Detailed voice prompts • Fast route recalculations

• Takes a long time to lock location • Inconsistent voice recognition • A little buggy

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• Tremendous power • Built-in subwoofer • Doesn’t distort at high volumes • Works with iPhone • FM tuner

• Not nearly as portable as advertised • Remote lacks full iPod menu navigation • No video out

A slim and flexible navigation device, the Magellan 4700 features a big 4.7-inch screen and serves up clear and accurate turn-by-turn directions.

Auto GPS; Bluetooth receiver; 4.7-inch touch-screen display; SD/MMC card slot; multi-segment routing; MP3 support; 3.5 by 5.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD). With multiple inputs, the iMT800 lets you play DJ by connecting up to three MP3 players. It also delivers powerful, user-adjustable audio without distortion.

iPod speaker dock; 2.1 channel audio; wireless remote; 2.5-inch, monochrome display; 7.7 by 19.7 by 9.3 inches (HWD).