Apple iPod Nano 8GB Second Generation

I have to admit that I am a real sucker for my music but used to get frustrated carrying around a big bulky personal cd player outdoors.
So when Apple launched the ipod i naturally shot out and bought one.
Since then, I have been on the constant prowl for new portable MP3 players (when they hit the right price that is). My latest model is the snazzy 8GB Nano which I bought for £139 from Argos just after Christmas.
I was very surprised at just how small it actually was compared to any other MP3 player I have used which is great, as it makes it a lot easier to conceal when I'm out and about.

It is slim, black and made from a sturdy metal alloy which makes it very hardwearing indeed, but it does smudge quite easily and sweaty fingermarks are very hard to remove.
On the front is the colour screen where you can see and interface with the various menu systems it has.
The only thing is, it is still very simple and ugly looking which I thought was something Apple might have improved upon.

It has tiny white earplug style speakers which fit perfectly into your ears, they are quite comfortable and you can barely notice that you have them in most of the time.
The Nano needs to be plugged into a computer and then you can start downloading music and pictures if you like via the Itunes program that comes as part of the system . This is very quick and easy to use so you can stock up your 8GB of memory fairly easily. I say fairly easily but that depends on how much music you listen to, it can hold literally hundreds and hundres of songs, something you wouldn't believe looking at how tiny it is.
My, how things have progressed from the old turntable and vinyl disk.
It supports all sorts of files, MP3's AIFF's WAV's and most other audio formats. On the picture front, it supports GIF's MPEG's JPEG's and BMP's just to name a few. All of these formats can be manipulated by the Itunes program to suit your needs. Itunes is fully explained in the manual so getting used to it shouldn't be a huge problem, the whole set up really is simple.

The sound is exceptional, crisp and clear and with no interference at all and it can go much louder than my cd midi system which is always a bonus.
There is also a new integrated feature that my prior Ipod didn't have, you can now play all of your songs in a seamless strand without the need for gaps and pauses, (remix anyone?) a definate improvement.

The battery life is great, I recently had a major problem with the battery lifespan on my latest mobile phone but the Ipod Nano is much more reliable. I Used it most of the day on saturday on it was still half charged, maybe Samsung should take a leaf on how a battery should behave. I think a fully charged battery lasts over a full 24 hours of continuous use.
I was disappointed though that it didn't have an FM tuner installed as I think this would have made it far greater value for money. I think you can install one yourself but at an added cost, I haven't bothered.

But overall, I can't gripe as for under a hundred and fifty quid it is the best MP3 player i've had and I wouldn't trade it in for any other device. Well, unless they can make the next Nano look and feel like Jessica Alba but I highly doubt that.
Great sound, good range of features, lots of space to store decades of music and well worth the money I paid.
As I said, it's a little ugly but for the quality it provides, that is a feature I can look past.
Thanks for reading.