TekTidbits

The Sandisk Sansa Connect

My husband wanted to be "different" from the kids, who all have iPods, so I recently bought him a Sandisc Sansa Connect and am REALLY happy with the purchase.  It appears to be the first inexpensive MP3 player to offer both WiFi access for Internet Radio listening, and video capability.  The 2.2" TFT screen is crystal clear, and the colors seem to pop out at you.

The only bummer is that the Sandisk people appeared to have partnered with Yahoo - a dangerous move in this times.  Yahoo Unlimited Music to Go appears to be no more, and the Yahoo Music site directs you to Rhapsody instead.  Luckily, I was able to move MP3s from my iTunes to Rhapsody/Real Player, and then over to the Connect.  Perhaps this is the reason the Connect is now listed as discontinued?

Photos and videos can be added through the Sansa Media converter which can be downloaded from the Sansa site. The player shows videos lengthwise, so they are easy to view.  We especially like the sound quality and the lighted click wheel, making it easier to view in the dark. The combination wall charger with USB plug was a nice feature too, and one you won't find on an iPod. 

You can pick up one of these players now for a song on eBay since they were discontinued.  I sincerely hope that Sandisk partners with a different music company and launches a new model, as this one was great.

Will They Multiply Like (Gulp) Rabbits?

Just when you thought you'd heard it all, in comes Nabaztag - which is Armenian for bunny. What is Nabaztag?  Why, a WiFi enabled bunny, of course! 

Nabaztag is the 2006 answer to the Pet Rock of the 70s - only much more intelligent.  You can name your bunny on registration, and the colors of its belly will tell you whether you have mail, what the weather is like outside, or even if there are new posts to your favorite blog.

Created by Violet, the same company that brought us a USB fragrance diffuser, Nabaztag can move his ears, play music, read you the latest ESPN column from your computer, tell you when you have an SMS message on your phone, wake you up to your favorite MP3s, and download RSS feeds. And yes, he can communicate with other bunnies - he can even send them music clips.

Podcasts are now passe - as now we have Nabcasts through your bunny. 

But beware, these bunnies are programmed to have a personality.  They will tell you at the end of the week how much they have enjoyed (or not enjoyed) their week with you.  Chill out from the stress by taking a Tai Chi lesson with your bunny.

Nabaztag is a bargain at $149 from ThinkGeek. 

Oh, and watch the fashion scene. Nabaztag has just made a debut at this years London Design Festival. After all, they ARE French!

technorati tags: Nabaztag, WiFi bunny, WiFi, WiFi gadgets, robots, robot, WiFi rabbit

del.ico.us tags: Nabaztag, WiFi bunny, WiFi, WiFi gadgets, robots, robot, WiFi rabbit