The iPod Nano is Apple's newest addition to the iPod family. The iPod Nano actually combines the features of the original iPod, as well as the iPod Shuffle. In addition, on the same day the iPod Nano was released to the world, the iPod Mini (remember that?) was discontinued by Apple.

The iPod Nano's arrival into the portable audio player market was a surprise. First of all, the iPod Mini was a very popular MP3 player which was selling quite well. Many people loved the small size of the Mini (funny how that works), and they also enjoyed the fact that they could fit quite an abundance of songs and music onto it. Simply put, there really wasn't a need to upgrade the iPod Mini.

But Apple, being the forward thinkers they are, realized that if they could improve the flash memory capability of the iPod Mini (basically, give it more room to hold more songs and stuff) they could, well, sell even more iPods than before! Development of the iPod Nano began only 9 months before it was released to the public market on September 7, 2005.

The iPod Nano, once released, was an immediate hit with electronic consumers. Stores and online retailers quickly sold out of the newer, smaller MP3 player. A risky move by Apple paid off, because, at the time of the Nano's release, the iPod Mini was the world's best selling and most popular MP3 player.

Well, guess which MP3 player is now the king of the world? That's right, the iPod Nano. First available in plain white, Apple quickly released the second generation of Nanos, available in a wide range of funky colors and shades. Combine that with improved features like an easier-to-access headphone jack and a scroll wheel with better control, and you've got a winner on your hands!

So, the iPod Nano is the best selling portable digital MP3 player in the world today. Everyone, from kids to adults are picking up the Nano and downloading all their favorite tunes and music on it. And it also looks like the iPod Nano might be here to stay for a while. But, then again, that's what people also thought of in regards to the iPod Mini too.