News
Microsoft, SanDisk overstating accessory support
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Friday, September 15, 2006
News Category: iPod Accessories
Following recent, separate announcements by SanDisk and Microsoft that certain prominent iPod accessory makers would be producing accessories for their iPod competitors Sansa and Zune, iLounge has confirmed that two of the iPod’s top supporters were listed as SanDisk or Microsoft development partners without having actually agreed to develop any accessories.
Belkin Corporation, developer of numerous well-known FM transmitters, audio recorders, cases, and car accessories for iPod models, was inaccurately announced by SanDisk as a member of its Made for Sansa accessory program. According to a Belkin spokesperson, “Belkin is not currently participating in the Made For Sansa licensing program. We continue to evaluate our strategy with regard to MP3 player accessories including the Sansa player.”
Griffin Technology, maker of popular iTrips, iTalks, power chargers and cases, similarly denied that it was part of Microsoft’s Zune accessory development program. “As the leading accessory maker for portable media players, Griffin is always interested in evaluating new opportunities,” a Griffin spokesperson told iLounge, “However we continue to focus our efforts on the market leading iPod due to our close relationship with Apple.”
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1
Seems funny that these two companies would be so adamant about not building for Sansa or Zune.
What do I care, I think both of these companies make mediocre accessories.
But, SanDisk and Microsoft better hope that some of the smaller accessory makers who make truly intriguing products get on board with their players.
Forget about the stuffy Belkin and Griffin products.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on September 15, 2006 at 4:40 PM (PDT)
2
Are you guys sure SanDisk listed Belkin as one of the companies in the ‘Made for Sansa’ program? We posted their press release the day it was announced and Belkin wasn’t on the list.
http://www.dapreview.net/comment.php?comment.news.3594
Posted by Lone on September 15, 2006 at 5:42 PM (PDT)
3
Sorry for the double post, but Griffin has a page on their site with Sansa accessories.
http://www.griffintechnology.com/sansashowcase/
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1203)-Griffin_Technology.aspx
Posted by Lone on September 15, 2006 at 5:44 PM (PDT)
4
As noted in the article, Griffin was listed inaccurately as a _Zune_ developer. Belkin’s name appeared on the SanDisk page as a Made for Sansa participant (sans accessories) before being pulled.
Posted by Jeremy Horwitz in East Amherst, NY, USA on September 15, 2006 at 6:09 PM (PDT)
5
Don’t blame iLounge ‘cause you can’t read. By the way, Griffin’s products are awesome!
Posted by Gordy. in Atlanta, GA on September 18, 2006 at 8:00 AM (PDT)
6
sorry sorry sorry !!!
search
http://www.amazon.com
and search for griffin zune
sorry
thanks
Posted by chs on September 26, 2006 at 10:51 AM (PDT)
7
“Belkin Corporation, developer of numerous well-known FM transmitters”
Dont need a radio for the Zune
Posted by homer on September 27, 2006 at 1:08 PM (PDT)
8
these accessories usually are for the bigger players out in the market. i don’t know why people insist on “upgrading” their gadgets - a gadget should be something that could stand by itself and do what it does for you >> without the assistance of accessories. for the small-factor mp3 players out these days, i think the sansa fuze (see sandisk) is a perfect example of just this: mp3, wma, mpeg4, fm radio, voice recorder, and probably the only upgrade i would need on a gadget - upgradeable memory up to 32GB. belkin and griffin has fm transmitters that can transmit the player’s signal for you - but i wouldn’t even use that a lot as it sacrifices some sound quality.
Posted by davidb on June 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM (PDT)