I've used the first generation Flip since last year, and I've come to love it. It's easy to use and portable, and it has accompanied me to many conferences and trade shows, allowing me to compliment my writing with video reports. Among the only points I raised were the inability to charge by USB and the lack of a mic jack for better audio. The VGA picture quality was also a challenge at times.

So I was excited to get my hands on the next generation of Flip products recently, and I can report two of my three minor concerns have been addressed.

The Flip family has gotten larger, and now includes two product groups: Flip Ultra, and Flip Mino. And within each group there are two offerings, one which shoots standard-quality VGA video (640x480) and one which shoots HD (720p) in 16:9 widescreen. We'll review the Ultra at a later date; this review focuses on the Mino.

The Mino is about half the size of the Ultra, taking portability to another degree. While the Ultra mesures 4.25" x 2.19" x 1.17", the Mino is just 4" x 2" x 0.6" and weighs a scant 3.3oz. For the size advantage you do have to accept a smaller screen and 60 minutes of recording time instead of 120 minutes on the ultra, but for the added portability it's a compromise worth considering.

I tested the Mino HD, and comparing it to my first generation ultra, the Mino just feels like a sturdier, more durable, higher quality product. The older Ultra felt a little plasticy. The Mino feels substantial. Mine came with a sleek black finish, but it's also available in chrome, and a customized pattern can be applied when ordering online.