Monday, September 22, 2008

It Doesn't Really Matter What Clothes I Wear

Gack!

The record industry - or what's left of it - has introduced a new format that seems to me to be egregiously out of touch. slotMusic (yikes, I hope they didn't pay too much for a branding firm to come up with that) is a 1gb microSD meant to go straight into your computer (via "small USB dongle") or mobile device so you can access an album's worth of music along with artwork and liner notes.

Sure, as we increasingly move toward a wireless and digital world, let's invest in a new format that remains grounded in an old approach - and one that could be quite easily eaten by your dog. At least its DRM-free, but it seems so passé. I've seen the new Ringo Starr album already in stores in a similar format, but that's hardly a way to launch something new. Well hey, at least some money and waste will be saved with smaller packaging, right? No. "The cards and dongles will come in boxes similar to current CD packaging..." That longbox mentality creeps back in.

I see no purpose to it beyond appeasing consumers who need something to hold in their hands. If this replaces CDs, well, I'll eat a slotMusic of your choosing.

Sigh.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"slotMusic" - wow, that's bad. That's really bad. I'm sure that cost somebody a pretty penny. Has the recording industry not learned anything? Wow, the dumbassery astounds me.

Anonymous said...

Seems Engadget is just as enthusiastic:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/sandisk-major-labels-announce-slotmusic-microsd-cards-preloaded/

Anonymous said...

Y'know, if the price was right I think this is a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, knowing the record companies outdated models they will likely attempt to get full CD prices for this.

Nice site BTW.