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Sansa e200 gets Linux

sansa-linux.jpg

The Sansa e200 is one of the best selling budget players ever and that shows on the number of loyal users it has. The original firmware is buggy and somewhat limited, so when Rockbox was released on the player many people praised it. Now a new player has joined the game, SansaLinux.

SansaLinux is a port of iPodLinux, and only works with the V1 e200 players. It's still being developed, and so far LCD, audio and keys are working, while other features are planned or in development. It's always nice to see custom firmware for players, so hopefully this project will make it all the way through.

[SansaLinux]

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Comments

sassafrass on April 7, 2008 6:16 PM

If only they had this when the e200 was popular....there are much better players than this nowadays. People arn't interested in this player anymore...the new line of sansa players is what the rockbox people need to work on.

dragnandy on April 7, 2008 6:51 PM

i did know that there were a lot of people still working on the sansa e200 series. what does having linux really do?

wu-tangsnow on April 8, 2008 1:46 AM

What can this do that Rockbox can't?

Jeton on April 8, 2008 6:22 AM

@wu-tangsnow It's just in the early stage...
Remember when Rockbox didn't have sound on Sansa? ;)
Give it some time. There's nothing wrong in having alternatives.

wu-tangsnow on April 8, 2008 8:07 AM

I'm sure if you give it some time, someone could create a wifi add-on that would allow anyone who has it to use their Sansa as a free phone!

zunespace on April 8, 2008 9:19 AM

Check out the screenshots. Looks like it'll let you can turn your e200 into an iPod... hey, wait a minute!

Don't get me wrong, this is great. More choice is always better. But did they really have to mimic the iPod interface? You're building custom firmware. Do something original.

@wu-tangsnow: there won't be wifi on the e200. The hardware is not there.

Plop on April 8, 2008 9:30 AM

SansaLinux is port of iPodLinux, so it isn't strange that it looks like an iPod

wu-tangsnow on April 8, 2008 11:27 PM

@zunespace: "someone could create a wifi add-on that would allow..."

Harry on December 20, 2008 1:40 PM

Guys, if you don't like it, code your own software for this, compile and put it on the player. That's linux power. Rockbox is great too btw and still using this player, with rockbox that is, although linux is installed too, but more as a proof of concept that is

Rowin on June 1, 2009 12:38 PM

Cool, looking forward to playing with this. The v1 Sansa e200s sell for around $30. With Rockbox, you essentially have a decent 2GB mp3 recorder for a fraction of the price of other units. It's not bad having the radio too, and several docking stations (e.g. in cars) are available for it. So just because the hardware is old doesn't mean it isn't still extremely competitive at that price point :>

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