Pure Digital is on their fourth generation of the widely popular straight-to-the-web Flip Video camera, and the latest is called Mino and the MinoHD. We must say, it's gotta be their prettiest, and sleekest effort to date.

With a better exterior than its predecessor, the new Mino has actually earned Amazon's top best seller honor among cameras, and #2 among electronics, right behind Amazon's own Kindle.

The ease of its use, new compact body, and a rechargeable lithium ion battery, gives this new version a step head others in its category. You're supposed to improve each time anyway, and Pure Digital did just that.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

Flip Video Mino or MinoHD 60-minute camcorder
Carrying pouch
Wrist strap
Video out cable

FEATURES

2GB (Up to 60 minutes of video capture)
Built-in hidden USB port
Simple sharing capabilities (YouTube, MySpace & AOL Video)
Video playback (on device)
One-touch recording
Digital zoom
Flipshare software (for organization, editing, etc)

DESIGN

Like the Flip Ultra, the Mino is sleek, but this time, it's even sleeker, and more compact, making it a perfect fit for your pocket. It weighs in at light 3.3 ounces, and has a shinier, slick surface than the previous version. Another difference from the Ultra is the location of the USB connector -- it now flips straight up, rather than to the side, which makes it easier to fit into a crowded USB environment.

It does, however, have a slightly smaller LCD display on the back -- it's 1.46 inches this time around, compared with 1.5 inches of the Ultra. But, the screen is clear, and transflective, so you should be able to see the footage while in bright daylight. The back of the device is also different -- much flashier with touch-sensitive buttons embedded into a shiny, flush surface.

Overall, the new design is on-point, and much improved from before.

THE GOOD

As previously mentioned, the Mino's sleekness is one of the many pluses. The design is just gorgeous, and it's customizable through their site TheFlip.com. It's available in glossy black, white, or a design of your choice. Overall, we love the new design, and how compact it is. The new touch-sensitive buttons are also very cool, and flush with the back.

In addition to the design, it's available in HD. While the regular Mino, and its predecessor the Ultra, shoot decent video, the HD version gives it much improved quality. They also upgraded the Mino's video chip to their new 2.5 engine. It's a slight gain in quality, but is ahead of devices from competitors such as from RCA and Creative. The upgraded chip helps the Mino boast sharper images with more vibrant colors -- and it performs very well in low-light environments. Additionally, the microphone was improved as well.

Despite the new eye-appealing design, and upgrades to its quality, the Mino's main selling point is still its ease of use. You shoot, film, and when you're finished, you flip out the USB connector and plug it into the USB port on your Windows (Windows 2000/XP or later) or Mac (OS X or later) machine, and a link to the camcorder's integrated software quickly pops up. Via the Flipshare software, you can play back one clip, string several together to make a movie mix, pull a single frame (still photo) out of the video, and/or share your clips with selected viewers via e-mail or the Web.

For everyday, causal use, the Mino is a must, especially, if you aren't into lugging around a much larger camcorder, even if they are smaller than they've ever been.

THE BAD

There's not a whole lot to gripe about with the Mino. We pretty much loved this little gadget. One thing, though, was the touch-sensitive buttons on the back of the device. While they are appealing to the eye, at times, they were a little unresponsive. However, it wasn't too noticeable, and we got over it quickly.

Another is the 2GB of memory. While an hour of footage to use sparingly might be ok for most people, it would've been nice to have the option of an expansion slot. Also, it's a bit irritating that the Mino's new rechargeable battery isn't removable and replaceable.

They've also raised the price just a bit. The Ultra sells for $159, while the new Mino sells for $179.

THE VERDICT

With a brand new look and upgrades to quality, the Mino and the MinoHD are perfect steps up from its Ultra predecessor. It's perfect for the casual user, wanting to capture moments on video immediately with the convenience of pulling their camcorder out of their pocket.

The only decision a buyer will have to decide on is if the $179 price tag is worth it. Take note, however, that the Flip is the #1 device in its category, so they are probably allowed to charge a little more for good reason.

The MinoHD sells for $229. Purchase one, and/or customize one at TheFlip.com.