SanDisk slotMusic: Do We Need These Little Things?

The need to be attached to your computer to download music into your player is a pain (unless of course you do it over the air.) CD's are bulky (unless you rip them). But are these really problems in need of a solution - particularly a solution that is an entirely new format requiring an entirely new player?

SanDisk apparently thinks so and with its Sansa slotMusic microSD format and player they attempt to deliver an alternative. Let me admit that I have not spent any time with a player (if Sansa wants to send me one I promise a followup review), but I do know microSD cards. They are about the size of a nickle and just as easy to loose. The player looks tiny as well and at $20 is a real bargain when compared almost any mp3 player. But here's the catch - there's no internal memory.

It's often been said that the music industry was saved by the CD. Everyone who had a warn out album bought it again on CD. slotMusic might be be cool for some, but it doesn't feel like a savior.

slotMusic debut artist line-up: