Sharp does the unthinkable, intros slotMusic-friendly sound systems

Whoa, Sharp -- wait just a minute. Did you really just introduce a pair of music systems that get down with slotMusic players? Though it's practically impossible for us to believe that such an occurrence has just, um, occurred, the 160-watt XL-DH258NH and 64-watt XL-DH228NH micro-audio systems actually do include a USB port for syncing up with SanDisk slotMusic players (along with any other USB-enabled PMP, we presume). Of course, Sharp did hedge its bets by including an iPod dock along with a universal auxiliary input, so we suppose we can't harsh on 'em too much. Both units arrive in any color you like so long as it's glossy black, and there's even an AM / FM radio, six-band equalizer and alarm clock tossed in for good measure. Catch the XL-DH258NH this June for $199.99 or the XL-DH228NH in July for $179.99.

[Via iTechNews]

[deano @ Jan 12th 2009 12:42PM]

I wonder how much SanDisk and/or the RIAA paid them to include that?

Or should I say, "cross-license", maybe that's more politically-correct...

No other way a wise product manager would go out on that precarious limb of a new media format quite so soon.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 13th 2009 10:01AM]

I still think "slot" music sounds so . . . dirty.

[htd @ Jan 12th 2009 12:44PM]

shouldn't those players just have an usb port plus an ipod adapter for almost all players out there?

[Saffy @ Jan 12th 2009 12:45PM]

So...they have USB ports? That's not exactly anything new.

Sounds like marketing babble to me.

My car stereo has a USB port, but I wouldn't call it slotMusic-friendly. Because if I did, I'd have to chuck it out the window on principle...

[CraigJ @ Jan 12th 2009 12:47PM]

A clearer-thinking person would have avoided purchase in the first place...

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 13th 2009 3:57AM]

My toilet literally has a USB... in fact it has two USB ports too. and I too won't call it slotMusic-friendly.

[dennis @ Jan 12th 2009 12:51PM]

The only way I can envision this taking off is if I can also envision lots and lots of cheap, pirated SD music cards available on from street vendors in Asia. It's like re-introducing 8 track, except without the nostalgia.

[jay @ Jan 12th 2009 12:52PM]

This is the kind of crap that someones Grandma would buy them, thinking it is the cool new Record.

[homer.lopez @ Jan 12th 2009 1:08PM]

Someone's girlfriend is likely to be beaten for getting them this as a gift.

[CraigJ @ Jan 12th 2009 1:03PM]

I think we have reached the point where physical media for music is drawing its last breath. We do not need another physical, DRM laden media format for music. What we need is an artist's revolt against the music labels and a fair distribution model where the price is fair, and the musicians make most of the money. There is no need for any of this crap anymore. If there is some artist I really want, I buy used CDs and rip it. No record label is getting any money from me, ever again other than independent labels that don't fuck the musicians.

[Fernando G. @ Jan 12th 2009 1:36PM]

i don't think it has drm, and you get a microsd card out of it so i'd buy it... once... if i needed the card

[Leo @ Jan 12th 2009 3:25PM]

It doesn't have DRM. Also, microSD is almost on any mobile phone now, and it's a perfect deal for me, since I use my Nokia 5310 as an MP3 player. Besides, you can carry hundreds of those on you, or have them in your car, something you can't do even with CDs. Well, I doubt it will take off, but if it does, it's not bad at all, IMHO.

[SSilver2k2 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:24PM]

I like SlotMusic...you know why? They are 320Kbps MP3s. Yes, MP3s. The slot music cards ive bought from best buy have zero drm. I get a 1gig sd card, a usb reader, and an album for 14.99

[Galley @ Jan 12th 2009 1:44PM]

And I can get the same album on CD for as little as $6.99. It's DRM-free, has lossless audio and even comes with its own backup disc.

[SSilver2k2 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:52PM]

@Galley

I have OCD, so I really hate buying used items. So buying a used cd at a cheap price doesnt work for me. I get your point though. I dont have a lot of space either, so a cd that I cant reuse its practical for my situation. SlotMusic allows me get the files, at a resonable price, support the artists, AND includes micro sd cards that a bunch of my devices use.

[Galley @ Jan 12th 2009 5:11PM]

@SSilver2k2 Who said anything about used?
http://www.yourmusic.com/

[FILA @ Jan 12th 2009 1:41PM]

slot music or we can call it slut music because all the middle school whores will have one, lol, this is another stupid idea, along with the Sony MD player. and slot music sound systems, get real, this is ridiculous. nothin liek having a bunch of little micro SD cards lyign around ready to break or loose

[Trevor @ Jan 12th 2009 1:47PM]

If I had a microSD compatible device, I'd buy one because it's kinda like getting a free SD card with it. That is as long as you can format it...

That said, none of the devices I really care about have microSD slots.

[Dave @ Jan 12th 2009 2:34PM]

SlotMusic sales have been better than the critics expected, according to the latest sales figures, though you wouldn't have known this from the article. I didn't expect this popularity- the format reminded me of pre-recorded MDs. This isn't the first time that more technology-literate people (Engadget readers/writers, for example) have got it wrong, since we don't always consider how a product will be seen by our mothers/uncles/sisters etc.
Fair play to SlotMusic, but it won't affect us geeks one way or the other - so why be so down on it?

[JoeSixpack1969 @ Jan 12th 2009 2:49PM]

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/01/09/ces_slotmusic_success_signs/

I second Dave's comments. We're sometimes to centered around our own frame of reference to appreciate the simplicity some of these solutions offer people with less technical skill or available time...

[Leo @ Jan 12th 2009 3:30PM]

+ 1

[Xoyuji @ Jan 12th 2009 5:22PM]

How about a system with a Ipod dock, a zune dock, cd player, memory stick reader, SD card reader and a microsd card reader

That will cover almost everything is that so hard to make.


Dear SanDisk and Labels how about dropping the price to $9.99 and not 14.99 I'd buy if you put it at 9.99


All i gotta say is good job SanDisk for convincing the labels with this BS

[peestandingup @ Jan 12th 2009 8:01PM]

This is seriously one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard. Wow.

[Simon Mackay @ Jan 12th 2009 10:55PM]

Just because it plays material from those SlotMusic cards doesn't mean it's uncool. Any unit with a USB port or an SD card slot that can play MP3s can play from SlotMusic. Equipment with a miniSD or standard SD card slot can take these cards by you using the appropriate card adaptor. You can also add the music held on these cards to your computer's music library just by dragging and dropping the files in to the music directory or using the "Add to library" or "Import" commonds on your PC jukebox application like iTunes.
Is it becoming so that if it is not an _Apple iPod_ with those white earbuds, it is not cool to own? Why criticise those Sharp music systems just because they have can play SlotMusic?

[tekdroid @ Jan 14th 2009 7:37AM]

I'm all for removable storage (especially in an SD or SD-derivative format). I'm not for pre-recorded 1GB microSD cards with MP3s, though.

CDs please.

Still, if it encourages more manufacturers to include microSD slots, I'm all for it. I just won't be buying lossy audio when CDs are around.