Comments on: Amazon launches beta version of DRM-free music store

The online retail giant finally unveils its long-awaited music store. In a double punch to Apple, it's DRM-free--and cheaper.

[the Otter]

One thing nobody?s mentioning?.

?is that Amazon is selling MP3 files; iTunes sells AAC (MP4) files. I
know most people don?t know or even care about the difference,
but it will be interesting to see if Apple starts pushing
iTunes? (admittedly slightly) better sound quality.

[sprice]

On the other hand...

...there are some (albeit a small percentage) of us that have media players that don't support AAC files such as Creative's players and would be interested in purchasing mp3's.

Amazon will still have to overcome the ease of the iTunes-iPod connection that most average users are used to using.

[rcrusoe]

A rough start?

I tried Unbox some time ago. If the software hasn't improved 1000% I wouldn't install it again if the music was free.

[Aeirlys]

eMusic

I have an eMusic membership, and I have to say, the Amazon store won't really affect that. Amazon's offerings are very similar to eMusic, but I get eMusic tracks through my subscription at about 25 cents a piece. Amazon's are running 89-99 cents. So I probably won't head over to the Amazon store unless I'm looking for something eMusic doesn't have.

[john55440]

Amazon.com - My Favorite Music Source

My favorite music source is CDs, and my favorite music CD retailer is Amazon.com.

With the addition of DRM-free MP3s, Amazon.com will now have it all.

[oldgreycat]

Easy to Use

While my wife has an iPod Nano, I don't have an MP3 player - no need, really. I only listen to music here, at my computer, and during my commute to and from work. That's not to say I'm a snob about the MP3 format. Far from it. Earlier this year I bought a 500-gig external hard drive and, over a five-month span, encoded our entire 3,600 (or so) CD collection (at 256 or 320kpbs), then boxed up all but 100 discs ...

Anyway, all's that a prelude to this: Amazon's on the right track with its download store. I can't compare it to iTunes, which I've never used, but in the past two days, I bought four albums - no hitches or complaints. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to find all but 5 songs of Pink Floyd's The Wall ($8.99 for the equivalent of a 2-CD set) encoded at 320kbps.