SanDisk Sansa

Do you remember the MusicGremlin, the rather cool MP3 player that enabled users to download tracks over the air? If it escapes your memory, it’s no fault of your own. The company hasn’t made much noise since the player launched a while back. But the name has resurfaced thanks to this morning’s announcement that SanDisk has bought them.

So what does this mean? SanDisk is tight-lipped on the exact details, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to speculate that MusicGremlin’s technology (and possibly its store) may find its way into a second-generation Sansa Connect or other SanDisk music player. Wireless music downloads are handy when you want new tunes when you’re away from the PC, and we’re sure that SanDisk is looking to give its base a piece of that sweet, sweet action.

And now the exciting conclusion…

Day #5:

I resume my lazy shuffling routine both to and from work, happily taking in the cornucopia of my music collection (or at least a lot of it; I can’t fit all of the music on my computer on just 4GB). Again I take the Fuze to the gym, and again my experience is good but uneventful.

When I get home I reluctantly decide to check out the Fuze’s photo and video capabilities. I say reluctantly because, save for long trips on buses or airplanes, it is very rare that I have a use for photos or videos on my 5G iPod’s 2.5-inch LCD display.

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My audio saga continues…

Day #3:

While I tote my MP3 player around New York City during my commutes to both work and play, my audio experience with the Fuze wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t incorporate it into my workout routine.

Studies have shown that listening to your favorite tunes while working out actually boosts your energy and productivity, so I can’t settle for the blaring techno and hip hop my local gym provides its patrons. I mean, I like a good beat as much as the next guy, but the third chorus in the techno version of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” isn’t going to coax those extra reps from my aching trapezoid muscles. Sorry.

Before I head to the gym I create a kick-ass gym mix (titled “Kick-Ass Gym Mix”), featuring the likes of Three Days Grace, Sugarcult, Digitalism, Bowling for Soup, Fort Minor, and other favorites of mine. I don’t have an armband or anything for my borrowed Fuze, but it’s so small it fits snugly in my fist as I jog to the gym.

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This morning, SanDisk unveiled the Sansa Fuze, the company’s latest flash-based digital audio player. Available in three capacities (2GB, 4GB, 8GB), and an array of colors (pink, red, blue, black, and silver), these mini music boxes pack enough storage to house your favorite tunes, while looking rather spiffy in the process.

SanDisk also tosses in a voice recorder, microSD Card slot for loading additional content, FM radio reception, compatibility with DRM subscription music services (such as Napster and Rhapsody), and MP3, WMA, and WAV playback. You can use the 1.9-inch display to check out your favorite JPEG photos and MPEG-4 video files, and the Sansa Fuze fully jives with Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. These players will be available for purchase in April for $79.99 (2GB), $99.99 (4GB), and $129 (8GB).