“Having sold more than 20 million iPods, Apple has predictably made news by replacing its best-selling player and launching its first cell phone. So does the ultra-tiny Nano iPod, which replaces the iPod Mini, live up to its hype? Yes. Not so the Motorola ROKR, the first camera phone that uses iTunes, the iPod music-management software,” ConsumerReports opines.

“The Nano is the top choice among MP3 players, with what may be the best-yet combination of size, storage, and ergonomic ease. That said, consider a flash-memory player from another brand if you want additional functions such as recording capability or an FM radio. Such players typically cost less than the Nano but hold only a quarter to a half as many songs,” according to ConsumerReports.

“While the ROKR is an interesting experiment in extending the iPod brand, its hefty price and other drawbacks mean you’re better off sticking with a separate iPod and cell phone, at least for now. The [Sony Ericsson] W800 is a better combination option. But it’s even more expensive, and, because it isn’t an iPod, it offers none of Apple’s advantages, such as the ability to play songs you’ve bought from Apple’s iTunes online music store,” ConsumerReports says.

Full article here.

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