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Introduced in the middle of September 2008, the second generation Slacker (Slacker G2) is a wireless Internet radio client and MP3 player. Improving on all aspects of the original device, the Slacker G2 targets fans of web radio and services such as Pandora, and/or those interested in seeking alternatives to the basic iPod / iTunes model of enjoying music on the go. The design features two models, one with 4GB of storage and 20 Internet radio stations, and another with 8GB and 40 stations. Those that simply purchase the device can enjoy ad-supported Internet radio with the ability to skip up to 6 songs per hour, while those willing to pay a $10 monthly subscription to an ad-free premium service are allowed unlimited skips as well as the ability to download songs to the device. Both devices can be had for $200 and $250 respectively.
MSRP --
Release date September, 2008
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Pros & Cons15
Reviews4
Details
Buy It1
Competitors5
Related1
Gallery4
Pros & Cons
2 positive
1 mixed
0 negative
How is the ProSCORE calculated?
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 23
Con votes = 11
Total votes = 34
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Details
At 40% the size of the original device, the G2 "trims the fat" and refines itself compared to the much bulkier and awkward device. With a 2.5" screen and easier to access buttons, the device allows users to gain access to all types of WiFi connections, including ones which require secure browser based logins. The main attraction of the device is its user customizable radio stations which pull from a category of over 2 million songs, and allow users to request songs. Overall, reactions to the device has been quite positive, but this is not saying reviewers have not faces certain issues with the device, such as the fact that the G2 doesn't play well with choppy or slow connections, and updating radio stations requires the user to wait 10 to 15 minutes for the player to buffer and cache all of the data that is required.
Features
- Display: 2.8" colour display, 320 x 240
- Storage: 4 or 8GB, for caching radio song data and allowing users to load their favourite tracks onto the device
- Supported audio formats: MP3, WMA, and AAC
- Connection: 802.11b/g
- Cost: $200 (4GB), $250 (8GB)
- Dimensions & weight: 87?53x13.5mm, 2.5 ounces
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This report was started
September 24, 2008 at 11:21 pm by
Yale
with the last edit occurring
April 14, 2009 at 3:36 pm by
Yale
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Buy It
Slacker G2
• Slacker G2 8 GB 40-Station Personal Radio Player
• Slacker G2 8 GB 40-Station Personal Radio Player
UPC: 989076576278
EAN: 989076576278
MPN: 90260008
Competitors
Slacker G2 is ranked 4th among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
MP3 Players »
MSRP $299.99
Released September, 2008
Pros
- Volume controls directly on the machine
- WiFi capable
- shares the same touchscreen application system as the iPhone
Cons
- Speaker is very low-fi
- No GPS
- Not much different from previous versions
Slacker G2
0%
vs.
Apple iPod Touch
100%
MSRP $199.00
Released September, 2008
Pros
- Ridiculously thin
- Available in 9 different colors
- Accelerometer means you can watch videos in either portrait or landscape orientation
Cons
- Doesn't charge with older chargers ( you need to buy all new equipment for it)
- Rounded screen can lead to glare
- Limited codec support - No FLAC or WMA
Slacker G2
0%
vs.
Apple iPod Nano 4th Gen
100%
MSRP --
Released January, 2009
Pros
- stunning brushed aluminum enclosure
- small size and very discrete
- affordable pricing
- FLAC and OGG support
- unbelievable battery life
Cons
- capacities only up to 8GB - behind Microsoft and Apple which both carry 16GB models
Slacker G2
vs.
iriver e50
MSRP --
Releases December, 2009
Pros
- support for open source audio formats (OGG/FLAC)
- attractive UI
- touchscreen
Cons
- limited codec support
- touchscreen can be somewhat finicky
- no WiFi
Slacker G2
vs.
iRiver P7
MSRP --
Released January, 2009
Pros
- good capacities - starting from 8GB
- WiFi enabled
- good video format support
Cons
- no touchscreen
- no OGG/FLAC format support
- limited battery life
Slacker G2
vs.
Haier America Rhapsody Ibiza Mini
Reviews
September 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
Pros
- exposes you to good music that you've never heard before
- can use all of the online functionality for free without a subscription
- much sleeker than the original device
- can be used as a traditional mp3 player
- interesting revenue model; i'd be willing to pay a little more for no commercials on TV as well
- you can save and listen to favorite tracks at any time with paid subscription
- heart and ban buttons means your radio station will adapt to your tastes
- good if you're lazy and don't want to maintain your own music library
- Displays album art, track information, and artist bios which helps you discover new music
- online subscription ads a lot of value to the device for not much extra
Cons
- WiFi connection requires the battery be more than 50% charged
- syncing Internet radio stations takes a long time, drains battery quickly
- only available in the United States
- radio cache files don't leave much room on the device for permanent music
- so far Windows only
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
Pros
- exposes you to good music that you've never heard before
- can use all of the online functionality for free without a subscription
- much sleeker than the original device
- can be used as a traditional mp3 player
- interesting revenue model; i'd be willing to pay a little more for no commercials on TV as well
- you can save and listen to favorite tracks at any time with paid subscription
- heart and ban buttons means your radio station will adapt to your tastes
- good if you're lazy and don't want to maintain your own music library
- Displays album art, track information, and artist bios which helps you discover new music
Cons
- WiFi connection requires the battery be more than 50% charged
- syncing Internet radio stations takes a long time, drains battery quickly
- only available in the United States
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 26, 2008
approved
reviewer
Pros
- can use all of the online functionality for free without a subscription
- much sleeker than the original device
- interesting revenue model; i'd be willing to pay a little more for no commercials on TV as well
- you can save and listen to favorite tracks at any time with paid subscription
Cons
- WiFi connection requires the battery be more than 50% charged
- syncing Internet radio stations takes a long time, drains battery quickly
- radio cache files don't leave much room on the device for permanent music
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Pros
- exposes you to good music that you've never heard before
- can be used as a traditional mp3 player
- heart and ban buttons means your radio station will adapt to your tastes
Cons
- WiFi connection requires the battery be more than 50% charged
- only available in the United States
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Price comparison information by:
This product is also known as:
G, 2, G2