Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Looking at the 4G iPod Nano from the bottom edge reminds us of the cross-section of an airplane wing. Apple's one-piece metal construction lends the Nano extra structural resilience.
The typically slender iPod Nano got a little troll-like with last years model (right). The fourth-generation Nano brings back the Nano's classic form but keeps the larger color screen of the third-generation model.
The Nano's menu text size has increased slightly from last year. As an accessibility feature, users can now increase the text size even further in the Nano's settings menu.
The rounded back of the fourth generation Nano, like that of the iPhone 3G, feels more natural in your hand. The longer shape of the Nano is also a natural fit to grip while jogging.
Measuring around 0.25 inches at its thickest point, the fourth generation of the iPod Nano is so thin that you barely see it in your pocket. The rounded glass screen offers better protection against scratching than its plastic-screen predecessor.
From the side, the fourth-generation iPod Nano looks like a section of a samurai blade: thin, metal, and aerodynamic. A single piece of aluminum warps seamlessly around the Nano, leaving its ports and switches on the top and bottom of the player.
