The Apple iPod nano is my favorite iPod -- and may be your favorite too. Have you wondered who invented the Apple iPod nano you love some much?

Here's the scoop.

Obivously the iPod nano evolved from Apple Computer as part of the iPod product line. That original iPod was is often credited to Tony Fadell. Tony was part of the team that created the original iPod classic. Who invented the nano? It seems to be a team effort, as no one is being publicly credited with its invention. Let's look at the details of the nano's launch.

Apple introduced the iPod nano in 2005. It took the press by surprise. The iPod Mini was doing pretty well with the mid-price buyers. Apple discontinued the Mini in favor of the nano.

What was special about the nano? A couple things.

First, the nano uses "flash drive storage" instead of a hard disk. Flash drives are a lot more durable. I travel a lot, and my nano gets packed in carry-ons, dropped from hotel desks, and stuffed into my coat pocket all the time. It withstands hot temperatures and has sat in the rental car overnight in Minneapolis in the winter. All without a hiccup.

In contrast, you'll see a typical hard drive in the classic iPod. Don't get me wrong, the classic iPod is a great product. It holds more than a nano and doesn't get lost so easily. But, you have to treat it a little more kindly than a nano. Nanos shine for people who work out, commute, or have hectic lives.

Of course we can't talk abou the iPod nano without mentioning its size. One of the cool advantages of a flash drive is that it can be much smaller than a traditional hard disk. The iPod nano's size is a terrific advantage over the classic. It fits in a jack pocket, a small purse, and is light on a workout armband.

Where are we now? The third generation iPod nano (the 3G nano) launched September 5, 2007. The release was a major step forward for users wanting games and video playback. The size of the 3G was widened to make room for the graphics.

For those of you who understand such things, the 3G has a pixel density of 204 ppi shown in a 320x240 QVGA display. For the rest of us, that means the images are incredibly sharp.

I wouldn't have thought I'd play games on the nano, but they're atually pretty good. I played Vortex (one of the three games that come with the 3G nano) on a flight home from Minneapolis last month and enjoyed it.

Okay, the history lesson's over. It's time to enjoy your nano!

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Would you like to make the most of your iPod Nano? Lydia Vaughn gives more tips and recommendations for you at her Nanos Reviewed blog.