There was a time, not so long ago, when a portable music player like the iPod Touch would have generated a lot more hype.

With a 3.5-inch screen, a touch screen interface, and only 8mm thin, it would surely have been hailed as a breakthrough, and not just by Macheads.

But that was four months ago - before the launch of the iPhone. Now, the dead ringer for the iPhone is seen as a poorer cousin.

However, the iPod Touch is not devoid of praiseworthy features.

On top of my list, is its ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. This might not be new for media players, but most of the others that let you surf the Web are a lot chunkier.

The iPod's touch screen interface and preloaded Safari browser also make navigating webpages a breeze.

The iPod Touch also has a specially customised YouTube widget that lets you search for and watch YouTube videos.

Because without it, you wouldn't be able to watch any YouTube videos at all, since the player does not support Flash.

As far as surfing goes, you can open multiple Safari windows - just like on the computer. I opened up six and had no problems toggling through them.

Other than simplifying Web surfing, the touch screen also makes looking through thousands of songs a cinch.

This is especially so because instead of the old text-based menu, the iPod touch uses 'cover flow', which is a graphical list of album covers that can be 'flipped' over to reveal songs in the album.

I'd pick this method any day over the click wheel.

The iPod Touch also makes it easy to buy songs. You can connect to iTunes with the iPod, buy the songs you want and download them directly into the device. No need to go through a computer.

Unfortunately, this is only available in the United States and Japan where there is an iTunes online music store.

Other than iTunes, you won't be able to download or save any files into your iPod Touch via the Internet. Not even from your Web-based e-mail.

Apple representatives say the iPod Touch might be available at authorised retailers here this week.