SanDisk wants microSD cards to displace CDs, launches “Shuffle-like” player

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 20:59

Opinion and Analysis

The player plays any MP3 files and any DRM-free WMA (Windows Media) files, and as the musicSlot cards are 1GB in size, there’s plenty of extra space to add more music.

In addition to songs, slotMusic cards may hold liner notes, album art, videos and other creative content that an artist may choose as an added bonus.

As an example, “Grammy-winning recording artist Robin Thicke, is utilizing the additional space on his card to add exclusive videos, behind the scenes footage and photos, personally chosen by Thicke to share with his fans”, according to SanDisk.  

The cards also come in those plastic SD card cases, which look like tiny CD covers except about an inch square in size, complete with artist branding – and yes, a material SD “wallet” card case holder is available to store your musicSlot cards in.

SanDisk also make mention of the fact they sell 16GB microSD cards which suggests its player is perfectly capable of accepting these cards, with 16GB able to hold approximately 4000 MP3s.

The player weighs a little over two ounces and dimensions of 2.75” W x 1.4375” H x 1.4375” D.

Aside from the card wallet, there’s also an armband for sale, as well as other “shells” for the player to replace SanDisk’s standard shell, or those of artists, so you can “customise a player to your own tastes”.

Available now in the US, Europe and other regions of the world will get them in 2009.

So, what artists are now available on the slotMusic bandwagon?

SanDisk says that “dozens of popular artists from EMI Music, SONY BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group are making their debut on slotMusic cards in time for the holidays”, including:

    * ABBA
    * Chris Brown
    * Coldplay
    * Connie Talbot
    * Daughtry
    * Don’t Quit Fitness Bundle
    * Elvis Presley
    * Five Finger Death Punch
    * Jimi Hendrix
    * Jimmy Buffet
    * Katy Perry
    * Keane
    * Kelly Clarkson
    * Kiss
    * Leona Lewis
    * Lynyrd Skynyrd
    * Metro Station
    * MIA
    * Nelly
    * New Kids On the Block
    * Ne-Yo
    * Nickelback
    * Pussycat Dolls
    * Rihanna
    * Rise Against
    * Robin Thicke
    * Saving Abel
    * Shwayze
    * Solange
    * Sugarland
    * Tim McGraw
    * Toby Keith
    * Usher
    * Weezer
    * Young Jeezy

Which other artists are coming, and is it a good idea or not? Click on over to page 3...