Which iPods are currently shipping? How many songs does each hold? What are the "pros and cons" of each?

The currently shipping iPod models are the iPod nano 4G, iPod touch 2G, iPod classic 2G, iPod shuffle 3G, and iPod shuffle 2G (2008).

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

In the above photo, the iPod touch 2G, the iPod classic 2G, iPod nano 4G, and iPod shuffle 3G stand side-by-side from left to right. Although it is not pictured, Apple also continues to sell a 1 GB configuration of the iPod shuffle 2G for US$49.

The major differences between the current iPods are summarized below:

†The iPod nano 4G is available in silver, black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, and red.

The above chart provides most of the "pros and cons" of each model compared to each other, but you may find the below summary to be useful as well.

iPod touch 2G

Pros:

• Thin, sleek design.
• Clever multi-touch interface introduced with the iPhone.
• Wireless Internet (wi-fi), built-in support for Nike + iPod, the "Genius" feature, "shake to shuffle", and useful applications.
• External speaker handy for casual listening of music and movies.
• Not tied to a monthly service plan like the iPhone.

Cons:

• 8, 16, or even 32 GB of storage and a maximum battery life of six hours for video playback may be inadequate for heavy users.
• Lacks the accessibility features introduced with the iPod nano 4G.
• External microphone not yet supported by applications.
• Cannot charge via Firewire, incompatible with many Firewire-based accessories.
• More expensive than the iPod classic and iPod nano 4G per megabyte of storage.

iPod classic 2G

Pros:

• Largest capacity available, holds the most songs, photos, and video.
• Supports the new "Genius" playlist functionality.
• Excellent battery life.
• Firewire charging supported, compatible with many older Firewire-based devices.
• Lowest cost per megabyte of storage.

Cons:

• Smaller display than the iPod touch.
• Less storage than that provided by the "original" iPod classic (6G).
• Interface is not as sophisticated as the iPod touch 2G and iPod nano 4G.

iPod nano 4G

Pros:

• Adequate storage capacity for modest music collections.
• Built-in support for Nike + iPod, the "Genius" feature, "shake to shuffle", and new accessibility options.
• Supports video, video out, photos, and games, as well as music.
• Relatively inexpensive.

Cons:

• Relatively small display, somewhat mitigated by the self-switching between portrait and landscape mode as appropriate.
• Cannot charge via Firewire, incompatible with many Firewire-based accessories.

iPod shuffle 3G

Pros:

• Extremely tiny, sleek design.
• Convenient clip to attach the iPod shuffle to a pocket or sleeve.
• Least expensive new iPod model (last year's iPod shuffle 2G is still available for an even cheaper US$49).

Cons:

• Some may find the "three button, multiple actions" control method awkward.
• No support for third-party headphones (without theoretical adapters).
• Reduced battery life compared to the previous iPod shuffle 2G.
• No display (and consequently, no support for photos, video, or games).
• Limited capacity.

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