i think the nano has amazing functionality: codec support is other than ALAC, non proprietary, has full industry support, gapless playback, much longer battery life (don't believe only 24 hours - my 3g has never seen under 28 hours and often tops up at a straight playback of 33 or 34), has great video format support (again standards based vs proprietary).
it also has a massive amount of add-ons if you are into that. the ipod no matter that no one here seems to think sounds good for whatever reason, does indeed sound good. if packaged or marketed as an audiophile device, im sure we would all rave over them.
as for looks: i find the fuze similar enough to the nano to not be ugly at all just not sexy. the ui: well, it is not top notch but definately better than others i have used.
price seems okay too but with new lower price on the nano, i really don't see how just an expandable memory as well as fm tuner are really worth investing in.
i have the sony 828: no radio same as the nano but unlike the nano what it has is hiss, and loads of it. it sounds good and looks very nice but is it ever loud. eq is decent on it but not great but at least it works versus ipod.