Apple’s new 4th generation iPod nano MP3 player may be a return to the familiar 2nd generation shape, but in terms of design and features there is still plenty to get excited about.

At a reasonable £109 for the basic 8gb model, the nano will no doubt feature highly on many people’s MP3 player shortlists. The wider, richer choice of colours than its predecessor, coupled with a sleek curved aluminium and glass case, certainly makes it look the part.

One of the stand out features you’ll find on the new nano is the accelerometer, which along with allowing you to shake the nano to shuffle songs, recognises when you turn the unit on its side to play video or view photos on the widescreen. It’s a big improvement on previous nanos, the display is crisp and bright, while the curved screen doesn’t suffer from any noticeable glare.

Launched alongside Apple’s iTunes 8 it’s good to see many of the software’s features incorporated in the nano. The pick of these is the Genius playlist mode, which creates playlists made up of tracks it thinks you will like, based on what you are listening to.

It works remarkably well and though not a new concept, last.fm have been doing something similar with their online music player for a while, it is extremely well implemented on the nano.

Your Local Guardian: iPods In line with Apple’s larger iPods, the nano’s music library can be browsed by cover artwork, a feature Apple call Cover Flow. Whilst not adding much in terms of functionality, it’s a nice piece of eye candy.

The majority of users will find the new nano a great improvement over its predecessor, the ‘fat nano’, but it still suffers from many of the faults inherent in such a small player. The sound quality for example, though adequate, still doesn’t rival that of Apple’s larger iPods.

The newly launched Apple upgrade in ear headphones may go some way to improving this, but there will always be a compromise between size and sound quality at this price.

Users of music software other than iTunes 8 have no choice but to upgrade, though not a major problem in itself, it’s worth making sure you don’t have any major issues with Apple’s software on your computer before you go out and buy a nano.

Steve Jobs launched the nano this month with the usual hype we’ve come to expect from Apple and though not revolutionary, there are enough new features and enhancements to make it a useful addition to the iPod range.

Owners of 2nd and 3rd generation nanos who can live without Genius playlists aren’t missing out on much, but for those of you in the market for a small MP3 player, it’s most definitely worth taking a closer look.