| drives are often viewed as useful portable devices | | | | flash drives to make them really stand out. Nobody will |
| that can store and transfer high volumes of files to | | | | resist a uniquely styled flash drive that even has the |
| other devices. Due to their low costs and high | | | | logo. Some interesting concepts allow people to wear |
| capacities, flash drives are widely used by all classes | | | | their flash drive albums around their neck or wrist. |
| of computer users. These compact devices became | | | | Easier Distribution |
| so popular that people are less aligned to buy CDs and | | | | Mp3 players have quickly replaced walkmans and |
| DVDs unless they are purely for backup purposes. | | | | discmans since they were first introduced rendering |
| The music industry has realised this as well and | | | | the audio CD virtually useless. These players have a |
| several bands are ditching the CDs as well by | | | | high enough capacity to store hundreds of albums and |
| creatively releasing their latest albums on flash drives. | | | | transferring these CD tracks to mp3 players requires |
| This can simply be achieved by copying the tracks at | | | | a little bit of conversion work. Most albums distribute |
| their highest quality into the drive, complete with track | | | | their flash drive albums in mp3 format so they are |
| information and the drive is ready to go. This is | | | | ready for play in any portable media device. |
| beneficial to both the fans and the artists themselves. | | | | All the Benefits of a Flash Drive |
| Here are some reasons why the use of flash drives in | | | | Standard audio CDs are read-only, but flash drives can |
| the music industry should be welcomed: | | | | be formatted to make way for other files. Flash drive |
| Reduced Piracy | | | | album owners can optionally move their tracks to |
| Music artists and record labels have been fighting | | | | another location and put other things in making it work |
| piracy long and hard, yet they still suffer from their | | | | just like a regular flash drive that was newly |
| songs being pirated even before they are released. | | | | purchased. |
| This is because most people cannot see any benefits | | | | Purchased CDs often get scratched even when they |
| of purchasing the audio CD unless they are collectors. | | | | are handled well and are dust magnets as they age. |
| With the album released on a flash drive, fans can | | | | Albums on flash drives get all the protection benefits |
| view the specialized flash drive as a 'freebie' that is | | | | of flash drives which makes them last longer. They |
| unlike any standard USB flash drive. | | | | are easier to store as well due to their compact size. |
| Better Marketing | | | | Album-branded flash drives aren’t that popular |
| A music store is filled with tons of albums that | | | | as of yet since a single USB drive is nowhere near the |
| compete for selection by using their album art as the | | | | cost of a blank CD. But flash drives are becoming |
| front end. Now artists can go beyond their creative | | | | cheaper to produce and it is expected for more |
| album arts and add style and funky designs to their | | | | albums to be released on flash drives. |