You’ll Listen to This and Like It: Preloaded Music on Mp3 Players

[Wayde]

Ever have music shoved down your throat? Not literally, of course. But, we’ve all had a brother or sister tell us, “You absolutely must hear this death metal tribute to ABBA,” or stood there amongst kids half our age at a community hall presentation of our best friend’s brother’s punk rock band. Somewhere along the line, we’ve seen and experienced music someone else assured us we’d like. Well, now the makers of popular Mp3 players – including Sandisk and Microsoft – are loading up their wares with preloaded music. Is this a new trend, and if so, is it worth the venture?
Clearly, the move by both SanDisk and Microsoft is yet another ploy to seduce would-be Apple aficionados. Let’s face it, Apple has the digital music market shoved deep within its back pocket right now, and preloaded music – undoubtedly hocked as “free” by the companies showcasing it – is a viable tactic to reach in there and dig out some market share.

SanDisk isn’t doing anything new. They’ve tried this before, and clearly the strategy didn’t knock Apple on its bottom (it probably wasn’t expected to). However, they’ve ramped up their preloaded music campaign and are being joined by Microsoft, who clearly see some promise in this tactic. SanDisk’s Sansa e200 will have as much as 32 hours of music packed within its casing, although no one is really sure what tunes will be in there.
As for the Microsoft Zune, it won’t have quite the dearth of music material, but will instead employ its multimedia functions with some preloaded effects. Those who pick up Microsoft’s new device can expect to find nine audio tracks, twelve music videos, a few short films and a plethora of rock and roll images.
But, is this stuff any good? Clearly, a media device is only as good as the material it plays, so the strategy really does depend on the goods Microsoft and SanDisk will be delivering. While we can’t tell you what SanDisk has planned – please, no ABBA – we can tell you that Microsoft’s list includes a couple notable selections. And, by a couple, we really do mean two. Of the Zune’s list of music tracks and videos, I recognized just 30 Seconds to Mars’ “The Kill” and electronica master Paul Oakenfold’s “Faster Kill Pussycat,” featuring the multi-talented Brittany Murphy.

Still, it looks like Microsoft is featuring some cutting-edge stuff. Many of the tracks and videos are from upcoming talent, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Does anyone really want to hear “Dani California” again, anyhow? There’s radio for that.
Clearly, Microsoft and SanDisk are serving a few purposes by offering the preloaded content. It gets new music out to listener eardrums, and that will surely make the music labels who are undoubtedly behind this very happy. You might not hear the most recognizable material through the preloaded content, but keep in mind that these might be some big name artists in the coming months and even years.
There was a time when no one had heard of Red Hot Chili Peppers, right?



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