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Hands on with SanDisk's USBTV
SanDisk wasn't exactly forthcoming with pictures and personal time of USBTV this thing, but justice won out in the end and we got to spend a few quality minutes with the new widget. We suppose we "unboxed" this thing in a physical sense, but while most of the specs are pretty well ironed out, the design is officially a concept, so we'll have to keep an eye out for a final version in the coming months. The word on capacities right now is a reasonable 2GB, 4GB and 8GB of flash storage, but that's about as much detail as we've got at the moment. Peep it all after the break, as always.
Hands on with SanDisk's new Zune-bestin' Sansa Connect
SanDisk was quite a bit more accepting of our touching urges when it came to the Sansa Connect, so we got to spend a little bit of quality time with the unit. The screen was plenty bright, sharp and sizeable considering the form factor, and while the design imparts a bit of a pudgy look to the player, there's really not a lot of bulk here. We're fans of the simplistic interface, but since not a lot of the functionality was in "live" mode, it's hard to tell how effective the unit will actually be at managing all of its wireless sharing and syncing functionality. Pr0n galore after the break.
Hands on with the Sansa View
You've already got the lowdown on specs, but here's the new Sansa View up close and personal. Shiny, thin and well-screened? Check, check and check. They wouldn't let us touch 'em, though, which was lame. Whatever, SanDisk, you're not invited to our birthday party -- so there! Keep reading for some more shots.UPDATE: Alright, birthday plans are back on. We finally got a hold of the View for some actual "hands on" pics, and it really is a looker -- though with all the slim going on here, we're still not sure we could squeeze this thing into a jeans pocket. Also, the software is way early on this thing, so don't figure these funky screen shots will have much to do with how the final interface will look like. With that said, check out our new pics after the break.
SanDisk intros USBTV
Uh, usually when people talk about moving media around the home though don't mean it quite so literally, but SanDisk is announcing a new standard called USBTV that's based on just that practice. We're still trying to get our heads around the announcement, but it sounds like USBTV is for anyone who doesn't want to deal with connecting up and streaming over a wireless network. Basically you connect up a flash-based, USBTV-enabled media player to your PC via USB, automatically copy over your content, and then physically shuttle the device to a cradle connected to your TV. Honestly doesn't sound much different than using an iPod with a video dock connected to your TV, but no matter, SanDisk says they've already talking to LG, Mitsubishi, and Pioneer about incorporating USBTV ports directly into their TVs and are showing off a prototype device that they're confusingly describing as a Digital Flash DVD Player.
Live from SanDisk press conference
We just squeezed into SanDisk's packed press conference and positioned ourselves expertly behind a flippin' hot projector vent. Don't worry, we'll sweat this one out for you guys.12:09 (PST) - Eli Harari, Chairman & CEO, is chatting up the company, and is bragging about how they're about the launch into five new markets here at CES: Notebook (SSD), Desktop (Windows Vista/ReadBoost), Personal Video (Sansa View), WiFi/Community (Sansa Connect), Home (USBTV).12:13 - These new products have SanDisk "movin' on up" the value chain."It's just not enough to be a flash memory supplier. We want to move beyond a commodity supplier and reach the end user."12:16 - Eli is showing off a SSD-based laptop versus a boring old notebook, startup times on SSD bests conventional by 50%.12:20 - After breezing by Contour, Eli is talkin' vertical integration and fabrication plants -- so exciting... all the way to the shelf, baby.
SanDisk Sansa Connect WiFi portable audio player
Finally, another entrant in the WiFi portable audio player space! These are still very early on in implementation, but ever since the MusicGremlin debuted, we've been hungry for more -- and no, the Zune didn't sate that. The new Sansa Connect features streaming internet radio (freaking FINALLY), microSD slot, and a 2.2-inch color display -- but the centerpiece feature here is, of course, the WiFi content acquisition. SanDisk claims the Connect supports "WMA in both unprotected and protected files" and specifically names PlaysForSure (and Vista) support, but also "utilizes an open (non-proprietary) digital rights management system that will allow users to purchase songs or access subscription download services from specific premium internet sites." (Which sites / services those are, we don't yet know, but apparently it's based on ZING.) No word about transferring subscription media to your pals with Connects, but they do make mention of a "community connection" to other players, which sounds a lot like it, and at very least download and purchase content on the player. The 4GB 2.05 x 3.58 x 0.63-inch player will go for $250 when it hits the streets in late March.
SanDisk Sansa View
SanDisk is announcing their new Sansa View at this year's CES, their first official entrant into the portable media player space, and a doozy at that. No surprise, it's a flash-based device with 8GB of storage for watching movies on its capacious 4-inch screen. In addition to that 8GB, though, it's also got a full SDHC slot for popping in another 8, 16, 32GB and beyond in a drive-free (read: battery efficient) form factor. In addition to an integrated speaker, Li-polymer battery, PlaysForSure support, pre-loaded content, and AV-out up to 1080i, users can expect 10 hours of music and 4 hours of video in its 3 x 4.8 x 0.66-inch (78.5 x 123 x 16.9mm) body. We don't yet know what other codecs this device will support (we expect it'll do all the regulars), and it'll run you $300 in Q1 of this year.
Hands-on with SanDisk's 32GB SSD
You love 'em, can't live without 'em... and sadly, can't afford them either. Yes, we're talking about that lovable slab of flash dubbed the Solid State Disk, or SSD. SanDisk is showing their 32GB madman right here at CES. Better yet, they're happy to let us know that within a year from launch, they should drop in price by some 60%. So we're talking 32GB SSDs for what, $250 by Q2 of 2008? Golly. Hands on with SanDisk's 32GB SSD
New Sandisk products tomorrow?
SanDisk just launched their "World Tour" site for CES, and it looks like we can expect some new devices. They didn't leave any more details other than the above images, but we're betting Sunday or Monday we can expect some new Sansa media device announcements (as well as loads of other products from just about every company around).
SanDisk announces 32GB SSD: prices begin to fall
If yesterday's announcement by Samsung was a tiny step in the direction of solid state disk (SSD) ubiquity, then today's announcement by SanDisk is a freakin' leap. That's right, the big bad daddy of consumer flash -- SanDisk -- joins Samsung and TDK today with a 32GB SSD drive all their own. The 1.8-inch SSD delivers a sustained read-rate of 62MBps and a random read rate of 7,000 inputs/outputs per second (IOPS) for a 512-byte transfer – more than 100 times faster than most hard disk drives. Fine, but the most notable detail in the press release is the price. According to SanDisk, their 32GB SSD could increase the end-user price by "around $600" when released in laptops computers in the first half of 2007. That's down -- way down -- from the $900 to $1,400 premium we were paying for SSD equipped gear. Come 'ere, group hug all.
Memory Stick PRO-HG to provide users up to 32GB of space
Sony and SanDisk just revealed a new extension of Sony's popular proprietary flash media. The PRO-HG series is "theoretically capable" of sizes up to 32GB, with write speeds of up to 60MB/sec. PSP owners can celebrate that HG line is backwards compatible with the regular PRO series of cards, meaning you'll be able to buy an HG card and use it in your PSP. You won't get the same speed advantage, but you will be able to use the card's ridiculous amount of storage.Even thinking up ways to fill a 32GB card is mind-boggling for me. Hopefully, we'll see more when CES comes around next month.[Thanks, Michael Chomiczewski! Via Engadget]
Memory Stick PRO-HG announced: 3x faster than Pro DUO, compatible
Oh joy, Sony and SanDisk just announced a new PRO-HG Memory Stick format. The latest format is theoretically capable of delivering 32GB cards touting a continuous write speed of up to 60MB/sec; the same max capacity as the PRO Duo format but three times faster -- ideal for rapid shot modes on DSLRs or for capturing the action in real-time on direct to flash HD video recorders. Unlike the competing SDHC format's inability to work in legacy SD devices, PRO-HG is just an extension of the Memory Stick Pro format so the cards can be used interchangeably. However, PRO-HG media will function as PRO cards in PRO-only devices. In other words, you'll lose the speed advantage brought by that swank new 8-bit parallel interface. Expect to see cards and devices launched at CES in January. [Via Impress]
Sandisk selling "special edition" SD cards for Wii at a premium
Everyone's heard about PS3s getting resold on eBay for ridiculous amounts, but there's more than just black market markups these days. Sandisk is openly executing some "smart business" with its Wii-branded SD cards, too. The flash memory company is selling "special edition" cards in capacities ranging from half a gig all the way up to 2GB, with prices that go from $35 to $90, respectively. By comparison, PriceGrabber.com says that the lowest you can get an ordinary 512MB SD card is $10, while the cheapo 2GB SD cards come in at $27. From what we can tell, the only difference between these SD cards and any plain-vanilla SD card is that this one says "For Wii" on it and comes in the exact same shade of white as your new console. If that's not worth triple the price, we're not sure what is.[Via TG Daily]
Deal of the Day: Free 256MB Memory Stick Pro Duo at Circuit City
While a 256MB Memory Stick may not hold a lot of data, especially if you're trying to play full-resolution movies on your PSP, it's hard to argue about something's worth when it's free. And right now Circuit City is offering a 256MB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo for $30 with a $30 mail-in rebate.All you have to do is buy the Memory Stick, fill out the form and mail it in. Not too hard, eh?There's a one-rebate limit here so don't get any funny ideas of buying tons of these and unloading them on ebay.[Via Joystiq]
Zune stacks up in size: iPods, Zen, Sansa
And here we have the brown Zune stacked agains the Zen Vision:M, iPods 5G and nano, and the Sansa E200 series. Just because it's taller than the rest doesn't mean it's larger than the rest though; we actually found the Zune to be deceptively small, and still quite pocketable. But hey, that's just us, we're the peeps prepped and ready to rock a Universal in tight jeans.P.S. -In case you're wondering, the screens only "lit" on the Zune because it's a non-functional retail display unit.[Thanks, Steven]
Integrated Mobile Electronics launches universal iMe Dock for your car
If you're genuinely frustrated with fuzzy (and "dangerous") FM transmitter results, and aren't exactly keen on wiring up a separate connection for each DAP you own, Integrated Mobile Electronics has your solution. In a presumed attempt to alleviate the frustration of priopritary DAP-to-automobile liaisons (and grab the entire market's attention), the startup has unveiled the iMe in-car docking station. The device, like most other hardwired options, will require a good bit of DIY handiwork (and Excedrin Migraine pills), but will apparently channel audio to your sound system and even video to your LCD-equipped whip. The package will reportedly support the Apple iPod / nano, Microsoft Zune (including the unannounced "80GB" version), Creative Zen Vision:M, SanDisk Sansa, and iRiver Clix right out-of-the-box, and even touts the ability to charge your device while docked. While it's being marketed as an end-all solution to your in-car docking station needs, these all-in-one contraptions should certainly be approached with caution -- and while there's no info on pricing or availability, you can see its potential for yourself at the SEMA expo this month.
Deal of the Day: 1GB Memory Stick for $10 at Buy.com
Okay, this deal may take a little bit more work than previous Deals of the Day. However, I'm sure you've heard the old adage - good things come to those who work ... err or is to those who wait? Bah, it doesn't matter.Anyway, here's a step-by-step process to get your hands on a SanDisk 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo for only $10 at Buy.com. Create a Google Checkout account; Add the Memory Stick to your Buy.com shopping cart ($35); Make sure to use Google Checkout as your payment method to use the $10 off a $30 order ($25); Fill out the mail-in rebate for $15 off ($10); and You're done! Be sure to hurry up because the rebate expires Oct. 15.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
Best Buy, SanDisk and Real team-up for music service
Now that Microsoft has semi-abandoned PlaysForSure for their new closed Zune system in a bid to dethrone the iPod, all those puny device manufacturers, music store operators, and retail chains are starting to look rather silly for their commitment to "open standards" and "interoperability." So now SanDisk and Real are teaming up to integrate a special Sansa e200R Rhapsody-edition lineup of the #2 DAP manufacturer's popular Sansa line with the new version 4.0 of the Rhapsody music store, one of the more popular subscription-based services. The respective market shares of both companies pales in comparison to the complete dominance of Apple's iPod/iTunes combo, but the team-up might be necessary to survive in the current market climate. Having Best Buy's weight behind the partnership shouldn't hurt either. They'll be offering their own "Best Buy Digital Music Store," which will be powered by Rhapsody, and will be offering a free two-month unlimited subscription to purchasers of a SanDisk Sansa player, after which users can continue with the service for the same $14.99 Rhapsody To Go price currently charged. The service and players are available now (Best Buy's official launch date is October 15th), and the new Sansa versions will be priced as they are now: $180 for 6GB, $250 for 8GB.Read - BestBuy to launch music serviceRead - Sansa Rhapsody
Deal of the day: 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo $90
Do you remember all those incredibly great Memory Stick deals a while back? Well, it looks like a new round may be upon us as Outpost is offering a 4GB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo for a measly $90 after rebate. And to make the deal even better, there's even an offer for free shipping. Can't beat that.It's amazing how quickly the Memory Sticks are dropping in price since it was only January when the 4GB and 8GB sticks were unveiled. With this rate, the 32MB sticks Sony bundled with the PSP will be virtually worthless, if they aren't already.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
SanDisk's 4GB Ultra II SDHC for performance photogs
So you've put down an order for a new still or video camera with SDHC slot, eh, now what? Do you pick up a regular ol' 4GB SDHC card from Toshiba, Panasonic, or SanDisk or maybe splurge on a fat Pretec for 8GB or 16GB of storage? Well SanDisk is here to tell ya (and we'll agree) that their new Ultra II SDHC Card is the ideal choice to record smooth video or capture multiple still photographs in rapid succession from that new cam with write speeds of 9 megabytes (MB) per second and read speeds of 10MB/sec. Yeah, it'll cost you $220 for those speeds, but hey, you get a "free" MicroMate SDHC/SD card reader in the kit when these drop next month. So what's it gonna be boy -- performance, capacity or the el-cheapo? Decisions, decisions.
