NEW NANO: SMARTER, SLIMMER AND SEXIER

Weighing in at a slim 1.3 ounces and available in nine different colors, the fourth generation of Apple's iPod nano ($149 for 8 GB and $199 for 16 GB) has secured its spot as the sleekest and prettiest of the bunch. A return to form after the third generation's wider frame, the current chromatic nano features the original long, vertical form but with a slightly curved design. The tapered body is complemented by a two-inch, curved-glass screen. Although the screen captures more reflections than that of previous generations, it doesn't significantly detract from the images.Aside from its aesthetically-pleasing exterior, the best thing about the newest iPod nano is that it allows listeners to enable the Genius feature. The function, which compiles a playlist of 25 similar songs based on a track of your choice, is easily activated by holding down the center button after seeding a song. Better yet, you can save any resulting lists and transfer it onto your iTunes for future use. Genius, however, can only be activated if you have the latest version of iTunes and have enabled the feature, which automatically updates Apple with your music library information. As part of the upgrade, the new nano also features the same tilt-sensors that are incorporated into the iPhone and iPod touch. Tilting the body of the nano will reorient album art and videos, giving viewers a wider screen. When applied to song playback, tilting activates "cover flow," which allows listeners to toggle through all of the album art in a smooth domino-like format. But it is worth noting that when the tilt feature is used in video playback, the toggles stay put and are now 90 degrees off, which requires some getting used to.The motion sensors also activate the shuffle feature. To protect against unwanted shuffling, it can only be triggered by a vigorous shake when not on hold. It may take a few tries before you've perfected a particular shake that works, but it's definitely a fun feature overall. Other notable additions to the old line-up include a synthesized voice that reads for the visually impaired, an option to change font size and the ability to link microphone devices through the headphone jack. So far, only the iPhone headsets are compatible. Although the new generation offers up the same sound quality and battery life (24 hours of music or four hours of video), new features and economic pricing make it a great buy for anyone looking to update. So don't feel too bad about ditching your older, clumsier iPod nano for the younger, hotter version.