Slacker G2

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.

Where to Buy

Slacker G2
MSRP--
Release date September, 2008
BrandSlacker
love it
want it
have it
tag it
Pros & Cons15
Reviews4
Details
Buy It
Competitors5
Comments
twitter

Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
3 reviews
68
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
1 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
exposes you to good music that you've never heard before
+3agreedisagree

•
can use all of the online functionality for free without a subscription
+3agreedisagree

•
much sleeker than the original device
+3agreedisagree

•
can be used as a traditional mp3 player
+3agreedisagree

•
interesting revenue model; i'd be willing to pay a little more for no commercials on TV as well
+3agreedisagree

•
you can save and listen to favorite tracks at any time with paid subscription
+3agreedisagree

•
heart and ban buttons means your radio station will adapt to your tastes
+3agreedisagree

•
good if you're lazy and don't want to maintain your own music library
+2agreedisagree

•
Displays album art, track information, and artist bios which helps you discover new music
+2agreedisagree

•
online subscription ads a lot of value to the device for not much extra
0agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
WiFi connection requires the battery be more than 50% charged
+4agreedisagree

•
syncing Internet radio stations takes a long time, drains battery quickly
+3agreedisagree

•
only available in the United States
+3agreedisagree

•
radio cache files don't leave much room on the device for permanent music
+2agreedisagree

•
so far Windows only
+1agreedisagree


4 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

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

 

Submit a link

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
This page has been viewed 788 times, with 58 edits by 4 contributors.
See the full report history »

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 »
Apple iPod Touch 2nd-Gen

Apple iPod Touch 2nd-Gen

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
ProSCORE
26 reviews
66
Vote! (6 votes)
vote Slacker G2 0% vs. vote Apple iPod Touch 2nd-Gen 100%
Apple iPod Nano 4th Gen

Apple iPod Nano 4th Gen

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
  • Non-replaceable battery
ProSCORE
15 reviews
68
Vote! (5 votes)
vote Slacker G2 0% vs. vote Apple iPod Nano 4th Gen 100%
iriver e50

iriver e50

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
ProSCORE
1 review
83
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Slacker G2   vs. vote iriver e50  
iRiver P7

iRiver P7

MSRP  --    Released  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
ProSCORE
1 review
55
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Slacker G2   vs. vote iRiver P7  
Haier America Rhapsody Ibiza Mini

Haier America Rhapsody Ibiza Mini

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
ProSCORE
1 review
50
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Slacker G2   vs. vote Haier America Rhapsody Ibiza Mini  

Suggest a new competitor to add to the list of competing products.
If the product hasn't yet been added to ProductWiki, submitting it here will also start the product report.

Comments

Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..

Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Yale

avatar
September 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
5 cons

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

Competitors

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
September 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
3 cons

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

Competitors

Erik prefers Apple iPod Touch 2nd-Gen over Slacker G2
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Omar

avatar
September 26, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
57
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
3 cons

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

DamienT98

avatar
October 5, 2008
ProSCORE
60
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
2 cons

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

Twitter

tweet this product!
- join or start the conversation
Search twitter: search

... Loading for latest tweets from search.twitter.com..

tweetie

sponsored by:
Price comparison information by:

This product is also known as:

G, 2, G2