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The iPod nano is the first iPod with a name that really makes no sense. Nano, of course, is short for nanotechnology, which that dictionary widget tells me has something to do with the brand of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules?

Uh...okay? The iPod shuffle shuffles your songs. The iPod mini was miniature. The iPod photo shows photos, and the iPod video shows videos. The iPod nano...manipulates atoms and molecules? Apple's starting to scare me.

What does that have to do with my review of iPod nano cases? Nothing.

Let's start with Radtech's Sleevz for iPod nano ($14.99), as they're probably familiar to anyone who's owned a different iPod model; these things have been around a long time. They're made with something called OptexSuper80, a name as odd as "nano" itself. Radtech describes this as "super soft, ultra tough," and they're right. It feels a little like suede, but is pretty strong and a little bit stretchy. It has to be, too, because it's a tight fit over your nano. A little hard to get on and off, but easier to manage if you read their instructions and do it properly.

There is no top or bottom to the Sleevz, but this allows easy, continuous access to the hold switch and ports. It would be nice if you could dock the nano while it's in the Sleevz, but sadly, it's not quite thin enough for that (although, it is thin enough to fit inside the Apple clip cases and some other cases as well). You can, however slide the bottom up just far enough to dock the nano without having to completely remove the case.

The protection offered by the Sleevz is about as minimal as you can get. There's no padding here to protect it from drops, but the display is covered by a plastic screen and a thin, debossed control area covers the click wheel while still allowing easy, touch sensitive control. There's also no belt clip or lanyard of which to speak, meaning you'll have to hold the iPod when on the move if you don't have another case to slip it into. The Optex stuff does provide a good grip, though, and since it comes in six attractive colors, you'll want to show it off to people, anyway.

Belkin's Flip Case for iPod nano ($24.99), on the other hand, does a better job with protection and functionality, but isn't quite as big on design. Actually, that's not fair. My wife loves this case. It's the one she chose when shopping for cases for her iPod nano, and I think that's because it looks like it belongs in a purse. It's available in black, yeah, but the pink, light blue and white leather of the other models are decidedly feminine.

Yet, what is that deodorant slogan? Strong enough for a woman? That's this case. The Flip Case provides excellent protection behind the magnetically sealed cover. When you flip open the cover, you get unobstructed access to the click wheel. Unfortunately, there's no plastic screen for the iPod display. It's well enough protected when the case is closed, but you'll need to be careful when it's open. The hold button is accessible at all times, and you don't have to unplug your headphones when opening the cover to access the controls or the docking port.

The multi-mount belt clip is designed to allow you to wrap up and store your earbuds when not in use, but more importantly, it's placed in a manner so you can easily flip it open and access the iPod's controls without actually removing it from your belt. Nicely done.

With a couple more color options and some sort of screen protection, this would be a fantastic case. As it stands, it's still very, very good, and well worth the $25.00 price tag.

If you're looking for something a bit trendier, Slappa offers the SlipScreen TriPack ($39.99). This pack includes three variations on a theme—pink black and white with the Slappa logo emblazoned on the front. Good thing their logo is kind of cool.

The cases are made with a "shock-absorbent and lightweight PU material," and I'm going to skip past the obvious joke there to simply say that iPod case developers really need to just quit throwing out terms such as "OptexSuper80" and "PU material" as if that means anything to any of us. To me, this is just a somewhat bendable plastic that encases the iPod nano in a grip that's easy to slide on but difficult to slide off; I had to use a pen cap or something to shove the iPod out by pressing the cap through the hold switch hole. Frustrating.

The SlipScreens cover the click wheel with their PU, and their cover is a bit less responsive than that of the Sleevz; you have to press down fairly hard. There's also no screen protection built into the case, but Slappa does provide a few screen/body protection adhesives that can stay in place when you're switching from case to case, whether they be manufactured by Slappa or not. Each case has a built in belt clip and a ring in case you want to attach the case to a lanyard, as well.

That's about all that's offered here. The design is okay, the protection is okay, and the functionality is okay. Not sure what else I can really say, so I won't say anything.

Instead, I'll move on to the Slappa 160 Hardbody Pro CD-Platinum. This is not an iPod case, it's a case for (gasp!) CDs. Remember those? The things you buy to get music onto your iPod? Well, there was a day when we actually carried them around with us, and the Slappa Hardbody is as good a case I've ever used. There are multiple models and colors from which to choose, holding anywhere from 50 to 240 CDs, maximum. The 160 model that I'm reviewing is so named because it can hold up to 160 CDs, or 80 CDs and 80 covers if you want to keep them together, or any combination thereof.

The fully stitched sleeves that hold the CDs are quite soft and non-abrasive, so you won't need to worry about scratches. You also won't need to worry about the polypropylene windows sticking to your discs. The CDs slip in and out easily no matter how hot it gets in your car, but they stay in place when you want them to.

The case interior is lined in velvet and contains a cargo net for extra storage. The exterior is a molded duro-shock xEVA HardBody shell with rubberized PVC finish, which means about as much to me as polypropylene windows. Suffice it to say that it's sturdy, although it did bend out a bit at the front zipper after my dog stepped on it. The only problem with the case is that the Platinum model is essentially white, and white gets dirty. Quickly. Your good-looking case may not be so for long, depending upon how you treat it. Luckily, Slappa includes a slip cover for the case, so you can protect it from the elements if you don't mind the extra step when getting into it.

Most importantly, though, this is a sturdy case. The heavy duty 8-rivet carry handle has been stress tested to 70 pounds, the zippers are "industrial strength" and although the case itself can get scuffed up a bit too easily, it can take quite a beating and still keep your CDs safe.

It just to goes to show you, really, that your music is worthy of being protected, whether it be on a tiny little iPod or on tiny little discs. I have to wonder, though, how industrial designers made any money before music became portable.

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