The new SlotMusic format will be released this week, offering close to 40 full music albums without any digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. The format will be available for $14.99 as a 1 Giga Byte MicroSD memory card filled with MP3 files.

The new offer will be available for now in stores such as Walmart and Best Buy, offering customers a chance to also acquire SanDisk’s Sansa-branded SlotMusic players, which retail for $19.99 and accept MicroSD cards with capacities up to 16 GB. The SlotMusic player measures 2.75 inches by 1.44 inches by 1.44 inches and weighs a bit over 2 ounces. There will also be available some artist-branded versions, featuring names and images of popular artists such as ABBA and Robin Thicke, which will retail for a suggested price of $34.99. The player is powered by a single AAA battery, offering about 15 hours of play time. There will also be available a selection of accessories such as an armband for the player. They will be able to play music in the unprotected MP3 and WMA formats.

“With no need for computers or cords, the Sansa SlotMusic player gives consumers more time to play, and less time to worry about managing or downloading their music,” explained Daniel Schreiber, SanDisk’s senior VP/GM.

Artists appearing on the inaugural Slot Music Cards include ABBA, Young Jeezy, Chris Brown, Nelly, Connie Talbot, Daughtry, Solange, Don’t Quit Fitness Bundle, Kiss, Elvis Presley, Five Finger Death Punch, Jimi Hendrix, Pussycat Dolls, Jimmy Buffet, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Usher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Keane, Metro Station, MIA, Coldplay, New Kids On the Block, Ne-Yo, Nickelback, Rihanna, Rise Against, Robin Thicke, Saving Abel, Shwayze, Sugarland, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Weezer.

In order to gain access to all these artists’ tracks, a partnership was made with the popular music groups EMI Music, SONY BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group. The companies will also include in the offer liner notes, album art, and other content.

In order to make the transfers even faster, each purchase will also include a small USB adaptor that will allow users to transfer music to their computers as they please.

The attractiveness of the new offer and one of the main focuses of the advertising campaign is that it is by far the simplest way of buying music, without the need for consumers to download songs through their PCs, rip CDs or deal with time-consuming music libraries. Another plus is that the market is filled with compatible devices that can be used to play the tunes, from portable devices to home and car players. The songs are also compatible with desktop and laptop PCs based on the Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.

There is no doubt that the music companies are searching for new ways of dealing with the music piracy and their efforts are focused on all sorts of partnerships that will bring the music closer to consumers at a price that they will feel comfortable paying.