News

Flash Memory Music Cards On the Way

All four major record labels (Universal Music, Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music) have signed a deal with SanDisk Corp., in hopes of selling flash memory cards that'll work in some mobile phones, digital music players and car stereos. (All you need is a micro-SD slot or a computer/car stereo with a USB port. iPods won't work, though.) Meant as an alternative to CDs and the singles-driven download market, the cards are expected to hit Best Buy and Wal-Mart by the holiday season. Specifics on prices, artists, and more are unclear at this point, although slotMusic cards will include such bonus content as liner notes, album artwork and the occasional video clip.

"There is a segment of the market that can use a solution that can combine the benefits of both digital and physical medium," Rio Caraeff, executive vice president of Universal's digital division, told the LA Times.

Mike McGuire, an analyst at the research firm Gartner Inc., isn't so sure about the idea, however. As he sees it, "For a lot of people who have been online for a while, it's going to be a hard sell."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
09.25.08