Are average MP3 players too hard to use? MTP, DRM, "syncing", playlists... hell yeah.

Yes, some people do find PMP/MP3 players too difficult to use; so much so that they have given up. There will always be people that are intimdated by technological advances. I am in my mid-40s, and while I have no problems with the technology, some of my friends do. They are much more comfortable with CDs. Their eyes glaze over when you start talking about ripping, syncing and making playlists. I have to admit to a certain about of aggravation at times. Deciding which 8GB of my 65GB+ collection I'm going to put on a player is a PITA. And I realize 65GB is small compared to some people's collections.

Some people prefer the "physical" nature of CDs as well, and like to hold something in their hand in return for their hard-earned cash. Add to that the sometimes hassles with dealing with subscription music services, and CD's start looking real good.

SlotMusic is aimed at these people. It gives them the files already ripped, a single album so there's no need for a playlist, on a card they can hold in their hand. Now whether or not they go for it is still to be seen.

Andreas, your point about the SanDisk SlotMusic format basically being an option for those who want something simple.. is well taken.
It's not an age issue, it's more an "interest" issue. I am constantly being asked to help the kids at work (18-25) how to do something with either their PC's or their media players, it's not just the "older" generation.. it's a matter of interest in how things work. I grew up with amateur radio, Heathkit, building electronics, building antennas.. etc etc. So my interest was always there and it comes easy to me. Kids now, mainly just want things to work and have no idea how to fix something that doesn't.. same could be said for those older, just a lack of interest in educating themselves. We live in a tech bubble here at ABi.. the general population.. does not.
I for one, am not surprised to see "old" tech that is simpler for so many, returning to the limelight.

I agree with utew. It's not only the older generation. I myself am in high school, and all i hear in computer science is "How do i put text on a picture?" "How do i change Font?" "How do i record sound?" That being said, it's not only based around computers. Most young people now only have 50 songs. All of which they pirated off Limewire. they don't know how it works, but that's what they do.

They don't know the difference between Audio/video formats, bitrates, and Mp3 players in general. To them, Mp3 = iPod.

But i know society knows nothing about technology when people wear Apple ear buds as a fashion accessory. Not kidding.

I hope the slot music doesn't take over because then the mp3 players we see today could get restrictions so you can't put downloaded or ripped music from cds on to your mp3 player.

The only situation which could explain a person buying a CD player instead of a Sansa Clip or that $10 mp3 player at toys'R'us is if that person doesnt own or doesnt know how to use a computer

Sony still makes CD Walkman-last new models came out in 2006 and are still current.

Should have never sold my iRiver IMP-550; that was an awesome portable CD player.

I still have a Sony D-T4, D-121, and an NS-707F. The NS-707F plays regular audio CDs and MP3 CDs, as well as AM, FM, WB and TV. Oh, and that ATRAC stuff that nobody cares about.

If only it had a uSD slot...

I think you are onto something with simplicity, for some people, and Utew is onto something with the interest angle. My father, who is 60, has figured out how to burn CD's but would never think of ripping or even a portable player. For that matter, he prefers a single disc setup, and doesn't like random play. It's not a case of he can't figure out an MP3...he could care less about them. But I know people younger than him that can't program a VCR.
These portable CD players remind me of 13-14 years ago, having one Velcro'd to the dash of my car with the cassette adapter...lol

Believe it or not, not everyone has a computer in their household. If you don't, an MP3 player is pretty inconvenient, if not completely pointless.

cd players are uncomplicated and all about the music.

my 83-year old grandma's rig is a sony D-232 and the x-mini speaker capsule. :P she loves it!

I work at currys. U wanna know why sales will be up because last year we didnt have any (apart from a few old clearance stock). Now we have some (current) matsui stock in. So tbh its not really news. Just that currys now has them. People are still after them though. If we statrted stocking vhs players again we would get a similar headline.
Soo many people dont kow the first thing about computers let alone mp3 players. And even the people that think they know all buy ipods. (though i do sometimes try to persuade them otherwise)
Great site btw