Sansa Connect WiFi MP3 player has features not on any iPod

  • By Rachel Metz / Associated Press
  • Saturday, May 26, 2007 9:00pm
  • Business

NEW YORK – So far, nothing but a new iPod has been able to tear me away from my old iPod. But after spending some time cozying up to SanDisk Corp.’s new Sansa Connect WiFi MP3 player, I’m willing to admit there are other players I’d use in a pinch.

The $250 Sansa Connect is a flash-based music player that lets users access Internet radio, view Flickr photos, see what their Yahoo Instant Messenger buddies are listening to and download music, all via Wi-Fi – something no iPod offers.

After taking it out of the box, I winced at its bulk – the Connect is about twice as thick as an iPod Nano, but only comes with 4 gigabytes of memory. A black nub sticks out of its top, which I guessed might house its Wi-Fi antenna. The nub includes openings for attaching a shamelessly unfashionable black rubber lanyard, which, despite about 20 minutes of concentrated effort, I could not thread.

Aesthetics aside, the Connect quickly proved to be a solid MP3 player.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

It supports the usual music formats like MP3 and Windows Media Audio, and its interface is easy to navigate. Its black clickwheel is usually quite responsive, though the player’s moving parts may cause some consumers to worry it could break. Like Apple Inc.’s iPod Nano, the Connect sports a headphone jack on its bottom.

There’s also a built-in speaker, which sounded decent at low volumes but got predictably tinny as I pumped up the jams. Also, the speaker is inexplicably located on the Connect’s lower back side, which requires either setting the player on its back or holding it upside down and backward.

The Connect’s built-in rechargeable battery is rated for 6 hours of music playing with Wi-Fi on, or 12 hours with it off. I got about 3 hours out of it while using various functions with the WiFi turned on and expect this would be higher with the WiFi off.

The Connect has a bright, crisp 2.2-inch color screen, which made some of my lower-resolution camera phone photos look better than expected. It was nice to be able to check out my Flickr photos while on the go, and I could see storing pictures on and accessing them from the Internet would save photo hounds significant internal memory.

And even though I would have liked more built-in memory (SanDisk, after all, is best known as a maker of flash memory), the Connect comes with a Micro SD slot, which quickly let me swap music and photos between the device and similarly equipped cell phones, as well as with computers.

Initially, the Connect’s free access to LAUNCHcast Internet radio seemed a little half-baked. I like the idea of being able to listen to Internet radio on an MP3 player, but because it relies on staying within a Wi-Fi hotspot I figured it wouldn’t be much good on the go.

But I changed my tune while running on a treadmill at the gym, where I ran out of good songs two-thirds into my workout.

The Internet radio feature came to the rescue – I turned it on and was connected to a whole new library of online songs via a nearby wireless network.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

FILE — Jet fuselages at Boeing’s fabrication site in Everett, Wash., Sept. 28, 2022. Some recently manufactured Boeing and Airbus jets have components made from titanium that was sold using fake documentation verifying the material’s authenticity, according to a supplier for the plane makers. (Jovelle Tamayo/The New York Times)
Boeing adding new space in Everett despite worker reduction

Boeing is expanding the amount of space it occupies in… Continue reading

Paul Roberts makes a speech after winning the Chair’s Legacy Award on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paul Roberts: An advocate for environmental causes

Roberts is the winner of the newly established Chair’s Legacy Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Laaysa Chintamani speaks after winning on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Laasya Chintamani: ‘I always loved science and wanted to help people’

Chintamani is the recipient of the Washington STEM Rising Star Award.

Dave Somers makes a speech after winning the Henry M. Jackson Award on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Executive Dave Somers: ‘It’s working together’

Somers is the recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Mel Sheldon makes a speech after winning the Elson S. Floyd Award on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mel Sheldon: Coming up big for the Tulalip Tribes

Mel Sheldon is the winner of the Elson S. Floyd Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Craig Skotdal makes a speech after winning on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Craig Skotdal: Helping to breathe life into downtown Everett

Skotdal is the recipient of the John M. Fluke Sr. award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

The Coastal Community Bank branch in Woodinville. (Contributed photo)
Top banks serving Snohomish County with excellence

A closer look at three financial institutions known for trust, service, and stability.

Image from Erickson Furniture website
From couch to coffee table — Local favorites await

Style your space with the county’s top picks for furniture and flair.

2025 Emerging Leader winner Samantha Love becomes emotional after receiving her award on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Samantha Love named 2025 Emerging Leader for Snohomish County

It was the 10th year that The Herald Business Journal highlights the best and brightest of Snohomish County.

2025 Emerging Leader Tracy Nguyen (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tracy Nguyen: Giving back in her professional and personal life

The marketing director for Mountain Pacific Bank is the chair for “Girls on the Run.”

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.