...will it work with iTunes? The answer to this question will tell you how well it's going to compete against the Nano.

Another one that just doesn't get it. Can't wait for the Sansuck m2000, m20000, m200000 and m2000000 - presuming they're still in the MP3 player business that long.

It's missing the Apple logo :-)

A h*** of a lot better than the Nano in respect that my 6,000 ripped from CD MP3 library will work on it, and MPEG-encoded video will play on it that I make from Toast (which converts those proporetary QuickTime files) AND it also can go 4x the distance with the removable batteries, and it's generally designed to last longer. For someone who has to count every single penny, longevity is something I seek. Apple = disposable income yuppophiles. Sandisk = We make the reliable alternative. My 3G iPod still works, coutnless 4Gs failed. I'm not enticed by the uber thin Nano, I'd rather have a player that for the price will outlive it's warranty 3-fold like my previous PowerPC-pre-64-bit still in the guady Garamond font Apple hardware has been. I hope Nano fails to this device just t service as a wakeup call to an overly idealogical realm of technology.

It will never displace any iPod, but I have a feeling they will be second place for a long time (more so than Creative or Sony). It keeps Apple sharp to have a competitor like SanDisk.

ibugv4, what does this mean...?

"A h*** of a lot better than the Nano in respect that my 6,000 ripped from CD MP3 library will work on it."

If you are saying that iPods do not play MP3 files, it's obvious you don't currently own an iPod of any type.

I have a continued running cost over the lifetime of the player, I won't be able to play any of the purchased music I already own, and I won't have access to music that I might want to buy through the media application I already am used to using?

It's actually nice looking. I still dig my iPod(s) though...

I have my two iPods but I'm actually tired of waiting for Apple to include FM and voice recording. Sure the sandisk doesn't work with iTunes but that hardly their fault. It's more inconvenient to not have FM while at the gym or hiking than it is to convert my iTunes songs to mp3.

I would love to see an Apple logo on something similar. Why don't iPod's have these features? It would simply end any debate.

Either this new player or a cool phone like the Sony Ericsson W800 which plays music and has FM too.

Actually, some current iPods (such as the "2nd generation" mini and the nano) do have problems playing MP3 files with aggressive VBR. These newer iPods throttle the CPU clock as the bitrate changes within an MP3 file to increase battery life. VBR MP3 files where the bitrate climbs too quickly will cause these iPods to stutter during playback of such files. You can find a thread discussing this on the Hydrogen Audio forums. I own both a 6GB (2nd gen) mini and a 4GB nano and have personally experienced this stuttering on some MP3 files. (The same files play fine on a computer or other MP3 hardware.)

As to the new Sandisk player, I do like the fact that they have a 6GB model. I am fairly critical of sound quality and use fairly high bitrate VBR (~224k) to make things listenable. I do like the nano but I could use a little extra storage. (It is always full.) And if the Sandisk can play aggressive VBR files properly I'm sold. If they were to support the pre/post gap tags to allow proper segues on album oriented music I would preorder today!

I think Sansa players were improved a lot lately. I just go one at http://go.shopsansa.com . I like the players for the option to boost the capacity. I have so many songs that it’s just great to keep them at one place.