The scoop: iPod nano , by Apple, about $250 for 4G-byte model, 2G-byte model costs about $200.

What it is: The latest iPod digital audio player from Apple, the iPod nano is a teeny tiny (that's a technical term) version of its more famous cousins, but about half the size and weight (1.5 ounces). The 4G-byte version can hold about 1,000 songs (we got 1,036 on ours and still had space left for more songs) and features a small color screen that shows items such as the song's album cover. In addition to playing songs, the device can display a user's digital photos, making it more than just a music player. The nano includes the same 30-pin dock connector as the newer iPods and iPod mini devices, which allows use of those accessories for the new device (via a dock adapter). The nano connects to a Mac or PC through a USB 2.0 cable, which also acts as the device's charger (if you don't have a charger from an older iPod).

Why it's cool: The size of the nano needs to be physically seen to be believed - looking at a picture of it doesn't do it justice. The nano is about half the width of a regular iPod, and thinner than a regular pen or pencil. In terms of features, Apple's Click Wheel technology continues to impress in terms of navigating through your list of songs and playlists. I also enjoyed discovering the extra applications that Apple has put on the device, including a new stopwatch application (good for tracking laps when working out) and world clock. I'm not sure if this game is on other iPods, but there's a music quiz that plays small clips from your song collection and offers you a multiple-choice quiz to see if you can identify them.

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The scoop: iPod nano , by Apple, about $250 for 4G-byte model, 2G-byte model costs about $200.

What it is: The latest iPod digital audio player from Apple, the iPod nano is a teeny tiny (that's a technical term) version of its more famous cousins, but about half the size and weight (1.5 ounces). The 4G-byte version can hold about 1,000 songs (we got 1,036 on ours and still had space left for more songs) and features a small color screen that shows items such as the song's album cover. In addition to playing songs, the device can display a user's digital photos, making it more than just a music player. The nano includes the same 30-pin dock connector as the newer iPods and iPod mini devices, which allows use of those accessories for the new device (via a dock adapter). The nano connects to a Mac or PC through a USB 2.0 cable, which also acts as the device's charger (if you don't have a charger from an older iPod).

Why it's cool: The size of the nano needs to be physically seen to be believed - looking at a picture of it doesn't do it justice. The nano is about half the width of a regular iPod, and thinner than a regular pen or pencil. In terms of features, Apple's Click Wheel technology continues to impress in terms of navigating through your list of songs and playlists. I also enjoyed discovering the extra applications that Apple has put on the device, including a new stopwatch application (good for tracking laps when working out) and world clock. I'm not sure if this game is on other iPods, but there's a music quiz that plays small clips from your song collection and offers you a multiple-choice quiz to see if you can identify them.

Some caveats: Because the nano is so small that you can easily fit it into a shirt, coat or pants pocket, it becomes much easier to lose. Also, having to charge the device through a USB cable became a slight annoyance, requiring us to charge via our laptop when traveling (the regular iTunes application and songs are stored on a home desktop PC). But I was willing to put up with these small annoyances for the amazing benefits of having a teeny tiny music player from Apple.

Grade:   (out of five)

The scoop: BlackBerry 7520 , from Sprint (Nextel) and Research In Motion, about $200 (with rebates and two-year activation, otherwise $450).

What it is: The only BlackBerry device with GPS navigation features, the 7520 from Sprint Nextel includes Nextel's Direct Connect walkie-talkie, Bluetooth for wireless headsets, the ability to view and store image files (including JPG and TIF), and increased memory (32M bytes of flash memory plus 4M bytes of static RAM for storing data and applications).

Why it's cool: The 7520 isn't exactly a new device (it launched in December), but we hadn't played with a BlackBerry in a while and wanted to try out the GPS functionality. RIM and Nextel provided us with a version of the TeleNav application, which offers driving directions and other maps based on your current location for an extra $10 per month. It was cool to have the driving directions application bundled along with my wireless e-mail and cell phone device, making it a truly converged device for users who want these features.