SanDisk has decided to crank up the pressure on other digital audio players including the Apple iPod with the introduction of the new 8GB Sansa e280. This is the world’s largest capacity flash memory MP3 player and it will only cost you $249.99. On top of this, the player supports microSD cards which means you can pop in an additional 2GB microSD card and find yourself with a player that supports 10GB of storage space.

The e280 comes with the following features:

  • Photo and Video capabilities
  • Digital FM tuner with on the fly FM recording
  • Voice recording with a built in microphone
  • 1.8 inch TFT color screen
  • 20 hour lithium ion battery which also happens to be user replaceable
  • Scratch resistant alloy metal back casing
  • Multi-pin universal connector for future accessory upgrades
  • Simple to use backlit controls for fast device interface navigation

Oh one other thing – not only did SanDisk announce this new player at a mere $249.99 – it’s decided to drop the price on all the other storage versions of the e series.

  • Sansa e250 2GB now sells for $139.99
  • Sansa e260 4GB now sells for $179.99
  • Sansa e270 6GB now sells for $219.99

[Check it out]

SanDisk Introduces World’s Largest Capacity Flash Memory MP3 Player — The 8GB Sansa e280 for $249.99 MSRP

MILPITAS, Calif. –(Business Wire)– Aug. 21, 2006 New Model Now Holds up to 10GB of Music With Optional 2GB microSD Card; SanDisk Also Announces Price Reductions on Current 2, 4 and 6GB Sansa MP3 Models as Retailers Get Ready for the Holiday Season

SanDisk(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today unveiled the world’s largest capacity flash-based MP3 player, the 8-gigabyte (GB)(1) Sansa e280 that boasts award-winning audio, photo viewing and video clip playback capabilities. Priced at $249.99 (MSRP), the e280 is the latest evolution of SanDisk’s flagship e200 series. The 8GB device sports a microSD expansion slot allowing expansion to 10GB of music — or 2,500 songs — with an optional SanDisk 2GB microSD card, making it the largest capacity flash-based MP3 player on the market.

In conjunction with the rollout of the e280 and in preparation for the holiday season, SanDisk has lowered its prices on the entire Sansa e200 line of products, including the existing 2, 4 and 6GB models.

Current pricing on the Sansa e200 product line includes a 2GB flash-based player for under $140 MSRP. -0-

Model                Suggested        # of songs      Playback time(2)
Retail Price     (MP3)(2)
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Sansa e250 (2GB)(1)      $139.99         500           32 hours, MP3
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Sansa e260 (4GB)(1)      $179.99        1,000          64 hours, MP3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sansa e270 (6GB)(1)      $219.99        1,500          96 hours, MP3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sansa e280 (8GB)(1)      $249.99        2,000         128 hours, MP3
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The dimensions of the Sansa e200 are 1.7 in. wide x 3.5 in. long x 0.5 in. high (4.4 cm wide x 8.9 cm long x 1.3 cm high). Screen size is 1.8-inch (4.572 cm) TFT color screen (QCIF+).

“SanDisk is once again making it incredibly affordable for consumers to purchase the most feature-rich, high-capacity players on the market at the best possible price,” said Eric Bone, director of audio/video product marketing at SanDisk. “The most costly ingredient in a flash-based MP3 player is the flash memory. Since we make the flash memory, we essentially remove the middleman and pass that savings directly to the consumer.”

In addition to holding thousands of songs, the Sansa e200 includes a plethora of features to enhance the listening and viewing experience. These include:

– An open (non-proprietary) digital rights management system that allows users to purchase songs or access subscription download services from numerous sources

– A microSD(TM) expansion slot for additional memory capacity and support for SanDisk TrustedFlash(TM) content cards that can be played not only on Sansa players but also on mobile phones equipped with microSD card slots. SanDisk microSD cards today come with capacities of up to 2GB, with higher capacities planned in the future

– Photo and video capability facilitated through the Sansa Media Converter, which enables a superior customer viewing experience

– Digital FM tuner, on-the-fly FM recording(3)

– Voice recording with a built-in microphone

– Sleek, thin design with large 1.8″ TFT color screen for easy viewing and advanced navigational features within an easy to use interface

– User replaceable and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery for up to 20 hours of battery life(4)

– Scratch resistant alloy metal back casing provides excellent durability

– Multi-pin universal connector for future accessory upgrades, battery charging and USB 2.0 connectivity

– Simple to use, backlit controls for fast device interface navigation

For instant access to millions of digital songs, the Sansa e200 series players support Microsoft(R) PlaysForSure(TM) so consumers can download and pay for songs individually or download an unlimited amount of music for a flat monthly subscription fee from music stores such as Rhapsody To Go(R) and others.

The player is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of popular music formats such as MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) in both unprotected and protected files (such as those WMA files purchased from music stores).

SanDisk is the original inventor of flash storage cards and is the world’s largest supplier of flash data storage card products, using its patented, high-density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is headquartered in Milpitas, CA and has operations worldwide, with more than half its sales outside the U.S.

(1) 1 megabyte (MB) equals 1 million bytes; 1 gigabyte (GB) equals 1 billion bytes.

(2) Approximation based on 4 minute songs at 128 kbps MP3 (3,932,160 bytes/songs)

(3) FM tuner and FM recording not available in Europe

(4) Based on continuous playback at 128 kbps MP3; rechargeable batteries may eventually need to be replaced as they have limited charge cycles (which vary with use and settings). SanDisk sells an end user battery pack replacement (SKU product) for a MSRP of $19.99.

SanDisk’s product and executive images can be downloaded from http://www.sandisk.com/corporate/media.asp

SanDisk’s web site/home page address: http://www.sandisk.com

SanDisk and the SanDisk logo are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Sansa and TrustedFlash are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation. SD and microSD are trademarks. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).

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