New music players

Microsoft Zune HD
16GB, $220; 32GB, $290

The latest version of Microsoft’s music and video player is thinner, more elegant, and more colorful than the previous models.

Pros: The 3.3-inch multitouch-screen display was quite responsive. And its 170-dot-per-inch resolution is about as sharp as the 160-dpi display on the competing Apple iPod Touch.

You can zoom in on photos with simple finger movements; double-tap the screen to return them to original size. The screen reorients Web pages and photos when you tilt the player. And there's a virtual keyboard to facilitate searches on its Web browser.

The Zune HD is the first portable player with a built-in HD Radio, which receives music as well as information on the music that's playing. Like the new iPod Nano, the Zune allows you to tag songs you hear on its radio for later purchase. The Zune's Wi-Fi feature lets you access the Internet, download purchases directly to the player, and wirelessly sync the player to your PC.

Cons: You pay for music and other purchases with points, which you have to buy in $5 increments. And many songs you buy on your Zune account can't be played on other players or unauthorized computers. For $15 a month, you can add the Zune Pass service, which gives users unlimited access to many songs in the Zune Marketplace catalog. Zune remains Windows-only, even in this new version.

Bottom line

The third-generation Zune is a largely successful redesign. But what does Microsoft have against taking cash for music?

Apple iPod Nano
8GB, $150; 16GB, $180

The fifth-generation iPod Nano multimedia player has added useful new features.

Pros: Video recording capability makes its screen debut in this version. A wide lens and 2.2-inch video screen help you frame the action. After synching with iTunes on your computer, you can easily e-mail videos to friends, post them on Facebook and YouTube, or edit them in iMovie.

The Nano camcorder's video quality is comparable with that of standard-definition pocket camcorders such as the Flip Ultra. It's fine for casual viewing and posting online but falls short of the quality you'll get from a full-sized standard-definition camcorder.

The Live Pause feature records the station you're listening to, so when you hit the pause button, the program pauses. Hit play and it picks up from where you left off, or you can rewind up to 15 minutes or fast-forward to catch up to the live broadcast.

Cons: The video lens is positioned right behind the control wheel, so it's too easy to take video of your fingers instead of your friends. And although the Nano has song-tagging like the Zune, it works only with non-HD radio stations, which often don't support that feature.

Bottom line

The Nano is a very talented music player with a fun-to-use camcorder. Too bad you can't use the lens to capture still pictures as well.