This was eluded to on the iLok post, but it got me thinking.

I understand that Serato doesn't want their software being used by people who don't buy the hardware (and thus pay the 'license' for the software), and that is probably why it is crippled so you can't use it without the SL1 connected.

However, if you disabled most of the features except one then no one would want to use it anyway- except to organize crates for playing out later.

If, without the SL1 connected, you could only do the following:
*Play one deck only
*No pitch control
*Delayed button response (maybe a lag of 1 sec or 2)
*Can't play more than one song in a row (no autoplay/playlist)...
*Whitelabel.net files would be restricted to their horrendous sound quality mode.
So with all this, you essentially would have the most lame mp3 player on the planet (no pun intended). What would be the harm in this? No one but SSL owners would use it!

I even question the need to be able to set cue points- how would you do that without a player connected? The trackpad on my laptop would suck for that. I also see cue points as a possible feature that would ... be exploited by those who wouldn't otherwise buy SSL anyway.

AND/OR

Have the software look to see if you had already installed the hardware. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I installed the hardware I actually had to plug it in. That way it would be limited to those that had a hardware interface. I suppose it may be circumvented, and someone could share their SL1, but is Serato really that against someone jumping through all those hoops just to use a crappy player, vs. all of your loyal screaming fans (us!) having a really useful tool?