While not quite as thin as the iPod nano, the latest model in Samsung's Yepp portable music line, the YP-Z5, certainly does have the allure and impressive industrial design to match Apple's diminutive player. Despite being slightly thicker than the nano, the YP-Z5 is about the same width and height and, weighing in at just 58 grams, the difference should not be noticeable once it's inside your jacket pocket. The YP-Z5 also comes with a larger 1.8-inch display, compared to the nano's 1.5-inch screen. When talking about the YP-Z5, it is hard not to compare it to the nano, because there are so many connections between the two. For example, Samsung is the largest supplier of memory chips to Apple, although not necessarily for the iPods. And, according to online reports, the user interface of the YP-Z5 was designed by the same person, Paul Mercer, who designed the interface of the first iPod. Instead of Apple's click wheel, Samsung has elected to adopt a square touchpad control system. To navigate up or down a menu, you touch the top or bottom of the pad, and to select, you touch the centre. The system has received mixed reviews, with many users having initial problems getting used to the sensitivity of the pad, so try this out before you buy. An impressive feature of the YP-Z5 is its battery life of 35 hours, which is more than double the estimated 14 hours for the nano. Like most new players, the YP-Z5 will support a wide range of audio file formats, and it supports photos too. The YP-Z5 is also compatible with Microsoft's 'PlayForSure' digital rights management system, which powers online music subscription services such as MTV's URGE, Napster, Rhapsody and Yahoo! The YP-Z5 is available in silver and black, and is priced $1,990. Pros: sleek like the iPod nano, larger screen, long battery life Cons: touchpad control system proved hard to get used to
