Sandisk slotMusic = music on memory cards

Packing music onto a microSD card is the latest brainwave from SanDisk. The idea for this physical music format - dubbed 'SlotMusic' - stems from the premise that consumers need to re-engage with buying music (and to make up for flagging CD sales). Sandisk thinks the best way to achieve this is to provide MicroSD cards packed with high quality (320kbps), DRM-free MP3 music. As a lot of devices aren't equipped with MicroSD slots, it would appear Sandisk is targeting people who like listening to music on their mobiles.

Sandisk has also got four of the major record labels on board - Sony BMG, Universal, EMI and Warner - all of which have agreed to release albums in the slotMusic format.

Rather than store all your music in one centralised place, the SlotMusic cards will be available in a variety of pre-loaded albums. Each SlotMusic card will hold album art, videos, and other creative content. The cards will also come with a USB sleeve, to enable you to plug them into any PC, and to ensure you're not just restricted to mobile phone use.

Having to look after a collection of eensy weensy, not to mention fragile MicroSD cards might not go down well with consumers, especially if they're all about the album art, or are prone to losing tiny objects. But, they do offer a great solution for people wanting to break away from digital downloads. And if they're priced reasonably (as in cheaper than CDs), the SlotMusic cards could prove to be a well thought out idea. SlotCards are designed for MicroSD enabled handsets, car stereos, MP3 players, Macs and Linux and Windows enabled PCs. A complete list of slotMusic albums, artist line-up, their availability and prices will be announced in the US in time for Christmas, with Europe to follow.

[via Tech Digest]

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