As the sustained popularity of vinyl attests, people still like music in a format they can hold in their hands. California-based SanDisk introduced a new option this fall: slotMusic.
SanDisk hypes plug-and-play convenience: an album’s worth of high-quality mp3 files already loaded onto a microSD memory card. No PC or Internet connection required, and no passwords or digital rights management systems. You simply insert a card into a microSD-equipped media player, mobile phone, car stereo, or computer and press play—just like you did with your old CD player (and your cassette deck before that). SanDisk sells dedicated Sansa slotMusic players for as little as $20; album titles run about $15 apiece.
slotMusic players can play back mp3 files from any microSD card, and SanDisk sells a broad range of these, including blank slotMusic cards—but then you’re back to the hassles of downloading, of course. Meanwhile, the company is growing its library of prerecorded cards. Initial releases covered everything from ABBA and Lynyrd Skynyrd to MIA, Nelly, and Usher. Four big labels—EMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group—have committed to releasing albums in the new format. Many include bonus content: liner notes, album art, videos, extra tracks, and space to add your own favorites.
Best Buy and Wal-Mart are carrying slotMusic, or buy at slotmusic.org.
