Apple’s iPod nano never stays the same for long, but this seventh iteration feels more like a mishmash of past features than a clear step forward. It keeps the touchscreen of the sixth-gen model, but loses the clip, so it doesn’t work with those third-party watch bands that were all the rage. You can watch videos on the 2.5-inch, 240x432 screen, but it lacks the fifth-gen nano’s 720p camera.

The new nano is about the height and width of two sticks of Juicy Fruit gum (3 by 1.6 inches), and as thin as a stack of five credit cards (0.2 inch). At a mere 1.1 ounces, it almost disappears in your pocket--be sure to fish it out before you do the laundry.

It doesn’t run iOS, but from the swiping and tapping to the Home button, it feels like maybe it should. The “app” icons are round instead of square, but that visual cue wasn’t enough to keep me from wishing this had Wi-Fi, AirPlay, iTunes Match, or even Netflix or Rdio. I know I’m spoiled by iOS riches, but having to sync the nano with my Mac felt so last year, even with the Lightning cable. Battery life remains insane--I got 31 hours of audio playback.

The bottom line. It’s telling that the nano’s stiffest competition is...previous iPod nanos. Bluetooth is a great addition, and this nano is a pleasure to use, but I’m left wanting just a little more.