By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 07:00 PM EST

Although not expected until later this weekend, the first shipments of Apple's new iPod "tubby" nano -- aka iPod "fatboy", iPod "phatty", iPod "bilbo", iPod "stubby", and iPod "biggie smalls" -- began cropping up at the company's retail stores Thursday afternoon.

Having a large stash of previous-generation iPods in either white, grey or black, we initially intended to pick up a red iPod "tubby" nano to mix things up a bit. That was, of course, before we found out that the red model is anything but red. In person, it looks more like a sparkly magenta-cranberry, or something you might come across in a lip-gloss aisle.

The black and grey models aside, the remainder of the new nano line appears best suited for party favors at a baby shower, or even a spring line of bonnets at your local Baby Gap. So if you're a dude, you may best want to shy away from those. Even the black, however, is not really black. It's more of a deep charcoal when compared to last year's model.

Nevertheless, we must admit that the players are somewhat more aesthetically pleasing in person than they appear in Apple's marketing material. They'd be even more appealing had they come wrapped entirely in brushed aluminum, rather than sport the old-school, mirror-like backside. (Within five minutes, several scratches appeared on the back of our nano and we hadn't even switched the darn thing on.)

Included with each of the new video-capable players is a Quick Start guide, dock adapter, USB charging cord, and a pair of second-generation iPod earbuds. Yeah -- Apple's still skimping on the ear pads, which couldn't cost more than a dime a dozen. You'll have to fetch those on your own.

We'll have a full-blown review for you shortly. In the meantime, enjoy the close-ups.