Ever since
MusicGremlin and
Microsoft released their respective innovative-but-flawed wireless DAPs, we've been jonesing for someone to get direct-to-device downloading right, and while SanDisk seems to have taken a step in the right direction with its tempting 4GB
Connect, early reviews prove that we still have a ways to go before these offerings fully cater to consumer demands. On the plus side, everyone seems to be lovin' the Connect's design, controls, and GUI -- unlike the
Sansa e200 series, the scroll wheel and buttons seem to be solidly-built and well-placed -- along with the ability to listen to Internet radio (just Yahoo LAUNCHcast, though) and browse one's entire Flickr collection; also getting pretty high marks were the sound quality, microSD slot, and tinny-but-handy mono speaker. However, not all is well in Sansaland, with the Connect's downloading abilities severely hampered by the limited choices available from Yahoo Music Unlimited to Go (the only service that this will work with sans PC), not to mention the fact that Mac users are once again left out in the cold. SanDisk claims that it may provide firmware updates that allow such things as a critical search function and connections to paid hotspots, but certain downsides -- like the measly 6 hour / 12 hour WiFi on / off battery life and inability to share tracks with friends (only track names, which you could just as easily tell someone) -- will probably only be addressed with new hardware or not at all. Bottom line: if you can deal with a limited selection of tracks, anemic battery life, and no FM radio, the Connect certainly sounds like a winner -- and if you wait a while longer, version two will probably be even better.
Read - New York Times ("Half-baked") [Via
Wi-Fi Net News]
Read - CNET (8 out of 10, Excellent)
Read - Laptop (3.5 out of 5 stars)
posted Apr 19th 2007 at 2:04PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
insky @ Feb 3rd 2009 12:40AM
R.I.P Connect
BDizzleFizzle @ Apr 19th 2007 2:34PM
Does anyone care that they named it the same way Sony had named their earlier DAPs? The Connect thing was a Sony name for their integrated (yet failed) strategy. It was the name of their music store, too.
With all the law suits going on in this space, I'm really surprised that SanDisk used "Connect". If Apple did it, there'd be all kinds of hater stories about it, like when they used iPhone before getting the rights to do so.
Cupajo @ Apr 19th 2007 2:50PM
"not to mention the fact that Mac users are once again left out in the cold. "
*sniffle*
Oh, well. You baked Apples ought to be used to that by now.
TangoGolf @ Jan 28th 2008 10:18AM
Yeah whatever...but the thing is, why would a company like Sandisk, who could sell a ton of these things to Apple OSX users (who like all sorts of technology, not just Apple-brand), just fail to write any code for Apple OS? Puzzling. Baked Apples my eye.
Cranium @ Apr 19th 2007 3:03PM
I love this thing. The limitations sure are annoying at first, but you kinda get over it pretty quick. Having Launchast right in your palm, and being able to get tracks or albums you hear on a station at the press of a button is cool.
I do wish I could just listen to whatever streams I want, and yes, a search would be sweet.
But it's pretty much a standard MP3 player with added flexibility. Nobody talks about the flickr connection, and that is pretty cool (looks great on this beautiful screen!)
JL @ Apr 19th 2007 4:55PM
"not to mention the fact that Mac users are once again left out in the cold"
I guess most of us assumed (yeah, I know what happens when you "assume") that if you owned a mac, you used that other "ubiquitous" digital media player device - you know, the one that everyone "assumes" to be synonymous with with "mp3 player"
it's name escapes me right now though.. its an "i" something i think...
Big @ Apr 19th 2007 4:03PM
Why o WHY didn't Microsoft include these features in the ZUNE?
The ZUNE is a better device than this Sansa BUT, this SANSA pound for pound has more features.
The ability to listen to Launchcast is BRILLIANT and the access Flikr, novel...but, I am left wondering why Microsoft hadn't included these features in the ZUNE in the first place?
Microsoft controls over 90% of the Internet Browser market and offers services such as internet radio, blogspaces and downloadable music so why the HELL didn't they implant the ability to access those services in the ZUNE? They could have even made special prepaid cards that offered internet access for 25 cents a day or something like Boost Mobile does.
randy @ Apr 19th 2007 5:14PM
Why not a SanDisk Sangyna, in honor of our fallen hero? Preloaded with all his greatest hits.
George @ Apr 19th 2007 6:04PM
Am I the only one who thinks $250 for 4gb player is a complete ripoff when you can get an ipod or zune or zen vision the same price at 30gb or more? Not to mention the fact that 99% of the country doesnt have city wifi so the player is crippled by wifi hotspots or lack thereof. Time is going forward so instead of players having less space how about adding a 10-16gb flash player for this price?
Deezee @ Apr 19th 2007 7:43PM
I love my e200 Sansa players. But I dont see myself using any of these wireless features.
Chris @ Apr 20th 2007 12:48AM
Go buy the 6GB Sansa for $149. Seriously, is there a better deal in MP3 players??
FYI, SanDisk made a product revision on the e200 series; they put a new nav wheel with finer teeth and more feedback.
Darryl Pomicter @ Apr 24th 2007 11:08AM
The ZING engine is hot—mobile, Wi-Fi, and streaming!
But, in addition to limited, paid subscriptions and downloads, it could access the full breadth and depth of free Internet streams. Like the Radeo Internet Player--more than 10,000 stations, 20,000 shows, and 800,000 episodes--broadcasts, webcasts, and podcasts: http://www.radeo.net.