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SanDisk Releases New iPod rival

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the fighting-fire-with-fire dept.

codemachine writes "SanDisk has released its new iPod rival: the new Sansa e280 music player. It has twice the capacity of the iPod nano at a similar price. Even better, it can be expanded through its mini-SD slot, and comes with an FM tuner. The device is said to work well with both Windows and Linux, without adding any drivers. Some work on reverse engineering this product line has already begun. Might this be a great alternative MP3 player for Linux users?"

5 of 401 comments (clear)

  1. Linux users? by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There is so much to comment on here - I have no idea where to start!

    First - FTFA:

    Includes the Sansa Media Converter to support all picture and video formats

    All video formats? (raises eyebrow?) I f#cking doubt it. How about DRMd WMV9? I doubt it can handle HD content too!

    Minimum System Requirements

            * Windows XP
            * Windows Media Player 10+

    Uh-huh. Good linux support there!

    Lastly, FTFS:

    Might this be a great alternative MP3 player for Linux users?

    Linux users have better support for iPods than windows itunes users do - they can copy songs off the iPod to another computer (without stupid third party addons, weird hacks, or scary warnings). They can also use iPods that with HFS filesystems. All seamlessly.

    I guess it could be argued that most linux users would prefer a music player from a company that doesn't push DRM heavily (but sandisk pushes DRM as much as Apple does.

    Still, twice the space & lighter than the equivilant ipod. Sounds if not good, then less crap. Let's hope their rockbox strategy works - that would really make a difference.

    --
    There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  2. A feature I wish my iPod had... by A.+Bosch · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...Interestingly, the battery is user-replacable. Apple, please take note!

    --
    Where there is the necessary technical skill to move mountains, there is no need for the faith that moves mountains.
    1. Re:A feature I wish my iPod had... by Random+Destruction · · Score: 5, Interesting

      So I'm on a roadtrip and after a few hours the battery goes dead. You're suggesting I call up apple and get them to give me roadside assistance to recharge my battery? Wouldn't it be easier if I could just put in my spare that I charged up earlier?

      --
      :x
  3. Again, Rockbox by bleaked · · Score: 5, Interesting
    In case you're still not aware, Rockbox enables my nano to seamlessly play ogg, flac, mp3, and several other formats. Not only that, but the playback is gapless, has beautiful cross-fading, and quite a few additional features.

    I highly recommend it. :D

    .:bleaked

  4. MiniSD? I think you mean MicroSD by Redbaran · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This player uses microSD, not miniSD. The max capacity for a microSD chip last I checked was 1gb.

    Pros of this player over a nano:
    • Twice the capacity
    • Memory expansion (although limited)
    • No hacks to play video
    • larger screen
    • battery cam be replaced
    • FM Radio and recording
    • microphone (though I could care less)
    • competition for the nano

    Cons:
    • a little thicker
    • not as slick (ie the mechanical scroll wheel)
    • not as many accessories (just try to find an arm strap and case!)
    • I'm told the video compression it uses when stored on the player isn't that good.
    • can only store music on the microSD card, not pictures or movies
    All the user reviews I've read seem positive on the whole and a lot of people like it better then nano's they've owned or bought for the wife/girlfriend, etc.

    Looks worth a look though.