Is the end of the road coming for audio CDs?

With digital music downloads and portable MP3 players the norm these days, we had to wonder just how much longer music CDs were going to be around for.  With yet another physical format for music coming out, it would seem another nail has just been hammered into the coffin for audio CDs.  While I understand it is inevitable that technology must move forward, sometimes it's hard saying goodbye to those things we have gotten so used to over the years.  Well to be honest I didn't really care when VHS tapes finally dissappeared from store shelves as I was an avid supporter of the DVD format since it came out, the reality that the end is near for music CDs has gotten my attention.  It's true that my own music CD purchases are few and far in between these days, but I always took comfort in the idea that if I wanted my music in an uncompressed format (for better audio quality), that I could just go to the store or online and buy the CD.

The new slotMusic format appears to have been developed to continue sales of a physical format for music while bringing the tech up a notch.  Last month, some of the largest music publishers in the world announced that they are backing a new physical music format that they hope music lovers in the digital age will embrace. The format is called slotMusic and is nothing more than MP3 tracks stored on a microSD card. Many mobile audio devices from MP3 players to mobile phones can use the microSD format.

The format will allow users to purchase digital tracks without needing to have access to a PC or internet connection. To hear the music on the slotMusic cards would require no software or passwords, the tracks are DRM-free as well. Tracks would reportedly be encoded at up to 320 kbps in MP3 format.

Sandisk will be offering $20 players designed to be used with the slotMusic format as well as being compatible with any microSD card that you put your own MP3 files on.  I guess it's the sign of the times and a far cry from the days of my childhood where Sony Walkman-type  portable cassette and CD players were common place.

I guess I understand it's part of change, but the old school in me will always prefer a physical media format over just something digitally downloaded onto your computer.  That's why I'm still rooting for standard definition DVDs to stay around for a while as well as the new high definition Blu-ray format to continue growing.  While I can appreciate the progress of technology, some things I will always prefer the old school way.

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