Jun 9 2003
SmartDisk Rover
The SmartDisk Rover combines two of the most popular gadgets out there at the moment: a USB flash drive and an mp3 player.
USB flash drives are probably the most convenient method of carrying files. The Rover is no exception. The Rover’s trim body has a pen clip that makes it the perfect pocket companion. It’s small too, slightly larger than a cigarette lighter.
The drive mounts without drivers in OS X, 9 and Windoze XP. It’s not lightning fast, but you can fill the entire 128 megs in about 8 minutes. And with 128 megs, you’ll have room for essential file backups as well as your music.
Which brings me to the highlight of the Rover. It’s as easy to load the little Rover with mp3′s as it is to transfer files to the flash drive. Drag in your mp3′s, eject the drive and plug in the headphones and you are rocking! The Rover sorts through your maze of files, locates your mp3′s and plays them.
Because of its solid-state flash drive, there is no skipping. And the Rover sounds pretty good too. But, here is where my complains begin. The control dial lets you play, pause, skip, reverse and adjust the volume. The problem? The dial is the lone control on the device and does not give you perfect control on the volume.
My other complaint: the body material. The Rover is very light and built of plastic. This gives it a flimsy kind of feel. Again, the Rover fills all its functions perfectly, but it does not have the feel of a piece of electronics that costs almost a hundred bucks.
The verdict? I like it. The functionality is great. You will use it daily. But the feel leaves a bit to be desired.
$74.99 sale price, $99.99 MSRP
