The second iteration of the iPod touch equals or improves upon its predecessor in almost every physical facet. Slimmer, lighter and more functional, the v.2 also gets new volume control buttons, full Nike+ integration and a built-in loudspeaker. It's not a radical change, but it's better.

First, the volume switch on the side is a fantastic addition. Having used the original iPod touch almost every day for the past year, I immediately loved how easy it was to turn the volume up or down without having to think about it. The other reason why this feature matters — apps. Some apps, like Aurora Feint didn't add a soft volume slider on screen, so when headphones are plugged in on the iPod touch, it's unbearably loud and can't be adjusted.

The second key feature is the built-in speaker. Sometimes, you wanna show a friend a video or new song without forcing them to use your dirty earbuds. This speaker remedies the problem. It's not terribly loud, and will never replace your headphones, but its good for the aforementioned scenarios. But it also means we're all likely to end up next to some asshole on the train who refuses to use his headphones.

The new general shape of the iPod touch v.2 is nice, with the bezel and back all being one piece—looking like it's borne from the same DNA as the iPhone 3G—but I could live without the shiny chrome. It gets smudgy and scratched up and gross looking. You could get a case for it, but that effectively negates its anorexic shape, not to mention its aesthetic value. This is a minor complaint, but compared to the original iPod touch, the home button feels kind of cheap. It's less springy, more plasticky, and noisier (on a relative scale). Obviously, that doesn't make or break the device. But it's something you use enough to notice.

It should also be noted that the screen on the new iPod touch looks the same as the iPhone 3G — which is to say it has an intentional yellow tint. While some may not like that, I prefer it to the blue hued screen on the original.

The final thing to discuss is iPod Software 2.1.1. Available for both the original iPod touch and the new one, 2.1.1 introduces the Genius automatic playlist generator to the device, as well as complete Nike+ integration (to be reviewed on another day). Genius playlists are easy to use and work reasonably well, creating a list of similar songs and artists based on your selection. You can create a Genius list one of two ways — in the playlist menu, you can browse through your songs in a list. Or you can hit the Genius icon under the play button on the Now Playing screen. Once you do that, a new list comes up with the "Genius" picks. The Genius list is automatically stored with your other playlists until you create a new one.

All in all, iPod touch Version 2 doesn't do anything worse than the previous iPod, and it does a few things better. Current iPod touch owners probably won't find enough new here to make the switch (truth be told, this is more like iPod touch v1.5). But those previously on the fence about whether or not to buy have even more reasons to consider it now.

The most noticeable thing about the second-gen iPod touch is just how thin it feels in your hand. The tapered edges make it feel like last year's iPod Nano, and it isn't as heavy or dense feeling as the 1g iPod touch. As Jobs stated in the keynote, the built-in speaker really is for casual listening, as it's not loud enough to cut through the crowds here. But when held to the ear, it sounds decent enough for what it is.

The volume switch feels the same as the iPhone's, adding a crucial feature to the media player. While the 2d dimensions remain the same, iPod touch v.2 almost feels narrower compared to the original. The black patch for the wi-fi radio is now oval shaped and is less conspicuous than before. Other than that, screen is the same, software is (relatively) the same, it's just a better iPod touch.