SanDisk announced the Sansa Connect, a Wi-Fi enabled MP3 player that lets consumers enjoy and recommend music from almost anywhere. The Sansa Connect allows consumers to connect to music and online photos through any open wireless “hot spot” Internet connection.

The new Sansa Connect will boast Internet capabilities designed to keep music aficionados connected to a wide range of new music via subscription services and streaming Internet radio with no PC required. Designed to work with premium Internet services, the flash-based MP3 player will also contain community features for recommending music and photos with a click of a button and a “live” Wi-Fi connection.

“The Sansa Connect is a new music experience focused on convenience, instant gratification and social connections,” said Eric Bone, product marketing director for SanDisk’s audio and video line. “It’s about accessing music of your choice wherever you are. If you’re listening to new songs from a music service and find ones you want to keep, you can bring them into your library and don’t have to wait until you get back to your PC. If you want to tell your friends about your discoveries, the Sansa Connect will also allow you to share music suggestions over the Web – anytime, anywhere – over an open wireless Internet network.”

The Sansa Connect is designed with large, 2.2” TFT color screen, internal speaker, and a microSD card slot. It is 2.05 in. x 3.58 in. x 0.63 in. (W x L x H).

The 4-gigabyte Sansa Connect will be distributed in the United States in late March with a suggested retail price of $249.99 .The device will be available in Canada in the latter part of 2007.

The player utilizes an open (non-proprietary) digital rights management system that will allow users to purchase songs or access subscription download services from specific premium internet sites. It will support Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription music and is designed to work with Microsoft Vista when it ships.