Tech: Players' playoff

Portable media players such as the iPod Touch will eventually die out, but there's still plenty of interest in the category, and money to be made by chasing after people who don't feel the iPod fits their needs. If you're one of those people, we've got four Android-based portable media players that take aim directly against the Apple iPod Touch. Many promise bigger screens, GPS and all of the geeky conveniences that Android is known for.

3 out of 5 stars (good)

The good: Offers most of the capabilities of Samsung's popular Android smartphones on a large, 5-inch screen.

The bad: Either a 7-inch tablet or an on-contract Android smartphone would be more useful and potentially less expensive.

The cost: The cost: $239 to $255.

The bottom line: Samsung delivers Android's answer to the iPod Touch at a time when you can spend less for Android's answer to the iPad.

3 out of 5 stars (good)

The bad: As with the 5.0 model, either a 7-inch tablet or an contract Android phone might be more useful and less expensive.

The cost: $179.99 to $249.99

The bottom line: Samsung delivers Android's answer to the iPod Touch at a time when you can spend less for Android's answer to the iPad.

3 out of 5 stars (good)

The good: Portable media player emphasizes music as the killer mobile app, integrating Sony's Music Unlimited service, high-quality headphones and unmatched audio enhancement software.

The cost: $249.99

The bottom line: The Walkman Z is Sony's iPod Touch for Android-loving audiophiles.

2 out of 5 stars (mediocre)

The good: Puts Android in your pocket for a relatively low price.

The bad: Poor screen quality, a slow processor, no memory expansion, no cameras, no video output and no GPS capabilities.