SanDisk, major labels announce slotMusic preloaded microSD cards
By Nilay Patel 
posted September 22nd 2008 12:46AM
posted September 22nd 2008 12:46AM
We're not sure why the music industry thinks consumers want to buy even more physical media, but it can't seem to stop pumping out plastic in a futile attempt to stay relevant -- this time it's an initiative called slotMusic, announced today in partnership with SanDisk and several major retailers. The 1GB slotMusic microSD cards are preloaded with DRM-free 320kbps MP3s, and are aimed primarily at mobile phones -- the idea is that you'll be able to buy music and listen to it without having to sideload it onto your device using your computer at home. Sure, we can see the appeal of that, but when we half-facetiously asked SanDisk's reps if they expected us to carry around a stack of individual microSD albums, they didn't laugh when they said yes, and even told us that slotMusic media binders would be available at launch -- no, they weren't kidding. We're not sure anyone's going to be sold on going back to lugging around physical media with the iTunes and Zune WiFi stores out there, but it sounds like we'll be seeing quite a push for this from retailers and the labels -- and artists are apparently enthusiastic about using the full 1GB of space to include content beyond basic liner notes and cover art. We'll see when these launch around the holidays -- if we had to guess, we'd say this is just Ringles and CDVU+ part III.
Oh, and would you look at that... Just like every post you make, these have been ranked low as well... Too bad no one (and I mean no one) agrees with you... : (
If I was going to buy music on a physical medium, it would be CD, period.
I agree that the only way I could see using these is to immediately transfer the individual albums to a larger capacity MicroSD card for my phone.....but if this is the expected usage model why not just stick to the CD or download format and transfer these files to the larger capacity MicroSD??? Doesn't make sense to introduce a new media format with this usage model
I just found this forum while pricing micro sd cards in bulk. I'm not too fond of the idea of using them as albums like these executives are planning to market them. But I plan to, and would like the opinion of this forum on, my company selling these pre-loaded with music from the independent musicians of New Orleans. This would include all genres, and be offered at the same price one would find these cards anywhere else. Whether you rip it or delete it, you're still buying storage ultimately. But you get music as a bonus, not to mention music from independent artists that is hard to find elsewhere. I'M LOOKING FOR INPUT! YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!!