Apple iPod Touch 16GB

Basically an iPhone sans phone, the iPod Touch is without a doubt the best iPod we've seen for both audio and video. The mind-melting elegance of the Mac OS X-based touchscreen interface makes other human/device interactions seem like a grotesque exercise where the user is forced to pound like a caveman at a mystery box in order to unleash the magical melodies within. The Touch can be purchased with 16 gigs of flash memory, doubling the iPhone's current max of 8 gigs, but still relatively low for those with large-ish music collections or video junkies - the device's most glaring flaw. Once converted, videos look fantastic on the 3.5-inch 480 x 320 widescreen, and the player even managed to exceed Apple's estimated 5 hours of video playback by an entire hour. WiFi support for hotspot access to the iTunes store, YouTube videos and web browsing make the Touch all the more enticing for those unable to use its AT&T-exclusive big brother.

WIRED Thin, elegant design - slightly smaller than an iPhone. Incredibly intuitive and gorgeous multitouch interface for browsing music, videos, photos, the iTunes store or the web. Fantastic six-hour movie playback, with more than 20 hours audio. Ambient light sensor adjusts display brightness to conserve battery.

TIRED Transition to the Touch left out some phone-centric iPhone features like the camera and external speakers, but also left out media player-appropriate Bluetooth support as well as WiFi compatible mapping, e-mail and stocks apps. No external volume controls. Somewhat pricey for storage size.

• Style: Audio, Combo, Video, Voice recorders, WiFi enabled
• Storage: Flash
• Capacity: 15.1 GB to 30 GB
• Manufacturer: Apple
• Price: Originally tested at $400
Release Date: Late September 2007