The answer is pretty clear, the special edition iPod shuffle with polished stainless steel, and the second version of iPod touch with only 8 GB. Let's take a look by using a comparison analyzes of what this iPods have to offer to final customers. In terms of capacity the smallest flash memory I offered by the regular iPod shuffle with only 2 GB. This memory is enough for about 500 songs (long of 4 minutes and encoded in AAC with 128 Kb per second). The regular iPod shuffle offers also a 4 GB version, just like the special edition iPod shuffle, flash memory capable of including up to 1000 songs (using the same encoding variables).
The third generation of iPod touch brings two storage memory capacity, the 32 GB memory and the 64 GB memory. The first one provides sufficient space for 7000 songs or 40 hours of video, while the 64 GB version enables storing up to 14000 songs or 80 hours of video. Probably the most efficient (in terms of storage) media player on the market is iPod classic offering about 160 GB memory storage, which allows you to save up to 40000 songs or 200 hours of video. For the only audio players, iPod shuffle and its special version provide about 10 hours of audio playback. For the rest of the iPod lines, the audio and video playbacks are quite impressive.
The iPod nano can play in audio mode up to 24 hours or in video mode up to 5 hours. Both iPod touch 2nd generation and iPod touch third generation provide about 30 hours of audio playback and 6 hours of video playback. The values provided by iPod classic are not as far as you might think from the iPod touch's values, about 36 hours in audio playback or up to 6 hours in video playback. If you are a colorful person then turn your attention to either iPod shuffle or iPod nano. You get up to five distinctive colors in the iPod shuffle and seven different colors in iPod touch (plus two Apple Store Exclusive colors).
The special version of iPod shuffle and both generations of iPod touch bring the black and stainless still back to fashion. Also the iPod classic is available in monochrome front covers. The retail packages of all the iPods include basically the same stuff. Both versions of ipod shuffle are shipped with earphones with remote (no microphone), and the USB cable. The new generation of iPod nano brings beside the earphones the USB 2.0 cable. The same package as iPod nano has the iPod classic, while the 2nd generation of iPod touch includes earphones, dock adapter and the USB 2.0 cable.
The last but not the least, the iPod touch 3rd generation packs earphones with remote and microphone, dock adapter and USB 2.0 cable. In terms of size and weight it is pretty obvious whish iPod is the thinnest and smallest of them all. The normal version of iPod shuffle has a height of 1.8 inches (or 45.2 mm), wide of 0.7 inches (17.5 mm), deep of 0.3 inches (7.8 mm), with a weight of 0.38 ounce (10.7 grams), while the special version of iPod shuffle weights about 0.61 ounces (or 17.2 grams). The present generation of iPod nano has a height of 3.6 inches (90.7 mm), wide of 1.5 inches (38.7 mm), deep of 0.24 inches (6.2 mm), nano weights about 1.28 ounces (36.4 grams). Both second and third generation of iPod touch come with a height of 4.3 inches (110 mm), wide of 2.4 inches (61.8 mm), deep of 0.33 inches (8.5 mm), the touch weights about 115 grams (or 4.05 ounces). By now you probably guessed that iPod classic is the biggest and heaviest iPod.
The classic comes with a height of 103.5 mm (or 4.1 inches), wide of 61.8 mm (or 2.4 inches), deep of 10.5 mm (or 0.41 inches), iPod classic weights about 140 grams (or 4.9 ounces). The fastest charging iPod is the iPod shuffle with 3 hours, next is the iPod nano with a little over 3 hours, while the classic and all touch versions charge their battery to the full in 4 hours. Last but not least on the features list is the display. The shuffle lacks any kind of display, while the iPod nano offers a 2.2 inches TFT display.
The classic includes a 2.5 inches color LCD with LED backlight, while both second and third generation of iPod touch brings a 3.5 inches widescreen multi touch display. Regarding the price tags, the shuffle is the most affordable with only $59 for the 2 GB imbedded memory (perfect for active persons, for jogging, hiking, and other activities, without having to worry yourself over the well being of your player), the nano starts from $149, perfect (especially now with the video camera) for everyone who want an ultraportable iPod ready to entertain. The touch is offered from $199 for the 8 GB second generation, and $299 for the 32 GB third generation (perfect for anyone who want movies and games offered on a touch screen player), while the iPod classic is offered for a price of $249.
The iPod classic should be a mandatory purchase for anyone who wants to keep in a separate storage all their audio files and movies. If you find it too hard to take with you just keep the classic indoors and go outdoors with a nano. Everything is possible, that is probably what Apple is trying to suggest to all of us, their customers. Looking at the iPod line over the years, I am wondering when different design iPhone models will appear on Apple's portfolio, because as you've probably observed, Apple already has two iPhone models currently on sale, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. I am guessing by next summer we are going to be surprised in a good way by Apple, especially now with the return of Steve Jobs.