I have been expecting something like this would happen. If you check your local media box stores, you will find other releases like this, plus entire catalogs of oldies tracks on specially packaged SD memory cards – the kind that fit into digital cameras and some cellphones. The FLAC format is a great idea for digital archiving, but this whole concept would be much more marketable if the format was much better than the standard 16-bit 44.1-kHz CD format. They should be offering the files in raw PCM format in 24-bit at 96-kHz or even 192-kHz.
According to The Beatles website, “The exquisitely crafted, apple-shaped USB drive contain the critically acclaimed re-mastered audio for The Beatles’ 14 stereo titles, as well as all of the re-mastered CDs’ visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. A specially designed Flash interface has been installed, and the 16GB USB’s audio contents will be provided in FLAC 44.1 kHz 24-bit and MP3 320-kbps formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac.”
I am the creator and site administrator at The Basement Rug. I have been collecting LP's and CD's for more than 30 years. I