SanDisk Cruzer micro & MP3 Companion

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=692' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=692</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>With USB memory keys coming down in price on an almost daily basis and capacities increasing equally as fast, one would hope that the old floppy drive will die gracefully soon. The SanDisk Cruzer micro is one of many USB memory keys and although it looks quite stylish, finished in see through plastic and metal, this alone is not a reason to buy it. However, as the name implies, it is very small, in fact it is the smallest USB memory key we have seen to date measuring a mere 51 x 19 x 6mm (L x W x H). Yes, there are smaller devices out there, but they don’t look quite as cool as the Cruzer micro, nor do they, as far as I know, have a built in blue light that illuminates the rear of the Cruzer micro. It looks even cooler if you put the protective cap on the back, as this enhances the blue light further. </i>"<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/cruzer_micro.jpg" /><br /><br />I've read the review two times just to make sure I'm not missing anything. Can someone please explain to me why you'd want something like this over the <a href="http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=4884">Creative Muvo NX</a>? As a USB memory stick, it doesn't have much value, nor as a MP3 player is it slick. I guess I'm just at a loss for its purpose. :?:

[mcsouth]

I just bought a Creative MuVo TX FM 256MB player this weekend - paid $100, and I get 256MB capacity, USB2.0 transfer rate, voice recording and FM radio along with my WMA & MP3 playback. Oh, and it uses a nifty shuttle/jog dial for navigation & control. The teeny size and armband holder were definitely a sellig point as well - I can use this at the gym, jogging/walking, working in the yard or workshop, etc. I did look at the Cruser product, but for the price, they weren't even in the same ballypark, IMO.

[Felix Torres]

Just to be sure we're talking the same thing:
This is not a SONY memory stick player.
Rather, it is a thumbdrive-based player, like the one lexar makes.
The way it works is that you dock the thumbdrive and the player plays any music it finds on it.
Undocked, it is a standard data drive.
The idea is that if you already have the thumbdrive, you only pay for the player part.
Theoretically, one player could handle many thumb-drives.

Think of it as part of a spectrum that goes from data-only thumbdrives, through these two-piece combos, through the two-in-one player/drives to the music players with data storage capability and music-only players.

The Lexar player can be had for $40 and a $512Mb thumbdrive runs under $60 so it is possible to get a 512MB flash player for under $100 this way. That's as much as a 50% savings over integrated players.

From a manufacturing point of view it makes sense because Thumbdrives have higher sales volume and are cheaper to produce, and the companies can leverage their name and lower prices to get into the player business.
Remember, the player tech is completely commoditized by now; anybody can get their hands on a decoder chip for a buck or two that can play back MP3s and WMAs, so if you're already in the flash RAM business and facing plunging prices and margins it makes sense to go after the music player business where the same pieces add up to bigger margins.

The same logic is leading LCD monitor vendors like DELL and VIEWSONIC into the digital TV business.

Think of it as another form of convergence.
The fact is, *everything* is turning into a computer. ;-)

[James Fee]

Thanks Felix...

I still don't understand it though... ;)

[dean_shan]

I like the way the MuVos look better then this SanDisk.