Let's face it, Apple has an indomitable hold over the mp3 player market.

And thanks to some fresh features, including a video camera, the new fifth-generation iPod nano takes some pretty big steps forward for the company. But other features, like belated FM radio, make it unclear if the sleek little mp3 player is worth its price tag.

Depending on which is purchased -- the 8GB or the 16GB -- the nano could cost buyers up to $179, which is only $20 cheaper than an 8GB iPod Touch.

But through its inventory of new applications, the nano begs to be picked apart while maintaining the seamless interface most users can operate in their sleep.

The most compelling feature the nano has to offer is a video camera. With such a simplistic design, the video camera has a certain accessibility that makes it difficult to put down.

It also has several different filters to switch up the look of the video. The most notable is the Cyborg filter, displaying a red Terminator-like screen with an extra scanner that locks onto objects.

Unfortunately, since the iPod's screen display is only 2.2 inches diagonally, the resolution of the video is a little grainy and pixilated. And the location of the camera -- the bottom right on the back of the iPod -- is where a user's palm is usually positioned.

But in its defense, the iPod is able to play back the videos recorded -- with sound. The nano has an interior speaker for both videos and music. And it has some lungs.

While it may crackle and sound shrill at its highest setting, the speaker is crisp and audible enough that headphones aren't really necessary anymore.

It's a boombox that fits in the palm of your hands.

Among its other offerings is the aforementioned FM radio. Despite seeming a little redundant at first -- like putting a hotplate in a microwave -- the radio's value begins to speak up with further investigation.

For example, it comes coupled with a TiVo-like Live Pause feature that can stop and rewind any song playing on the air.

It also has a tagging feature that allows a user to save any song they're listening to and then upload it to iTunes for download.

Some of the more lackluster features the nano has crammed in include the fitness menu and the voice recorder.

In the fitness menu, which is ironically placed above the games option, users can access the nano's pedometer.

The pedometer is designed to automatically count the amount of steps taken and calories lost while in use. However, counting inaccuracies and a tedious menu display sully the potential of the feature.

When using the voice recorder, speaking in a light, leveled voice is a necessity.

Because of its sensitivity, the microphone will either pick up very little of what is said or, if spoken into too closely, catch every bit of sound in a loud, belligerent mess.

There's no question that the nano has a few additions that are less than essential. But through its complexity and attention to detail, Apple proves it still knows how to kick it up to 11 -- even if the price is included.

Grade: B-