Those seeking the legendary "iPhone without a phone" are as close as they've ever been to an iPod touch that matches the capabilities of Apple's mobile phone, but there are important differences outside the device's ability to make and receive phone calls. It holds no GPS circuitry so Maps' turn-by-turn powers are lost on it. And because it can't communicate over a cellular network, FaceTime conversations are, of course, limited to Wi-Fi.

I mentioned that Siri is dead unless you're connected to a Wi-Fi network. This seemingly introduces a problem that didn't exist on the previous iPod touch--spoken music navigation. On the 4G iPod touch, you could press and hold the Home button to initiate voice control. With that control you could tell the iPod what music to play, which was very helpful while driving. If you have Siri switched on, voice control doesn't work unless you're connected to a Wi-Fi network. So, if you're on the road and want to tell your iPod to play a song, you can't. However, there's a way around this. Go to Settings -> General -> Siri, and switch Siri off. Now when you press and hold the Home button, the old Voice Control feature appears, allowing you to play music by command even when not connected to Wi-Fi.

One other thing that's missing is a $199 price tag on one of these iPod touches. Apple continues to sell the 4G iPod touch in two capacities--16GB for $199 and 32GB for $249. The 5G iPod touch is available in 32GB and 64GB capacities for $299 and $399, respectively. With its new look and continued appeal to younger users (and the parents of these users who've relied on avoiding a two-year iPhone commitment for their kid by slipping an iPod touch under the holiday shrubbery instead), that $100 difference may be significant. $200 isn't cheap, but $300 may be something of a stretch. And frankly, once a kid lays hands on this new touch, they're unlikely to leap for joy when they unwrap the older model.

Price aside, whether you're in it for the apps, games, or media, this is an iPod you'll treasure. With its improved cameras, zippy performance, bright and roomy display, support for Siri, and more colorful and statuesque form, the fifth-generation iPod touch is a winner.