SanDisk attempts second place shuffle with hip Clip

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 00:46

Your IT - Entertainment

SanDisk, a distant second to Apple in the US portable music player stakes, has released its answer to the miniature clip-on iPod Shuffle and at around half the price.

Like the iconic Shuffle, SanDisk's new Sansa Clip is a tiny clip-on rectangular shaped device measuring 3cm by 2cm and comes in a range of colors,  However, the Clip comes in just three colors compared to the Shuffle's five more vivid selection.

Colors aside, the Sansa Clip does offer some advantages and features not available on the iPod Shuffle. For one thing, at US$39.99 for the 1GB model and US$59.99 for the 2GB version, it's cheaper. The Clip also has a screen for music navigation, an FM radio with recorder, a microphone and it can play tracks in both MP3 and WMA format.

Another detail that may tilt buying decisions toward the Clip is that at the moment, like most other players except for the iPod, you can now buy music cheaper. Tracks with Sansa Clip compatible DRM from Wal-Mart's new online store can be had from as low as 88c compared to 99c to iPod compatible DRM tracks from iTunes.

Of course, Apple has never been about having the cheapest or even the most feature rich product on the market. Like the other iPods, the Shuffle is a fashion statement as well as being a high quality product.

The Sansa Clip will certainly not be able to match the Shuffle in the style stakes. However, it remains to be seen whether the new SanDisk product's marked price advantage and greater range of functionality will prove to be a sufficient lure to new buyers to take market share away from the iPod Shuffle.