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Amazon to open DRM-free online music store
Amazon.com announced today that it'll be opening an online music store later this year that will sell only unprotected MP3 files. With EMI and 12,000 other smaller labels on board, this will set them up to take on the iTunes Music Store behemoth in the online music world.
While prices haven't been announced yet, if Amazon keeps their prices competitive with Apple they'll be a force to be reckoned with. Since the files will come as MP3s rather than unprotected AACs, they'll be completely compatible with basically every device and program out there. It's a great move by Amazon, and we hope some of the other major labels get with the program and sign on with the DRM-free movement sooner rather than later.
Amazon.com, via Gizmodo
By Galilee at 8:13 AM ON 05/24/07
THANK YOU AMAZON! I don't know about the rest of you but I'm pretty sick and tired of buying music and then not being able to listen to it when and where I want because of incompatibilities. I mean I paid for it. I should be able to listen to it on whatever device whenever and wherever I want. Thanks again Amazon.
By jebz at 8:42 AM ON 05/24/07
I'm really pretty sick of hearing people complain about the iTunes music store. I mean really...I've never needed to put my music on ten different music players. If you don't like iTunes and Apple so much, go somewhere else to buy your music. Maybe just go back to buying CDs and keeping hundreds of them in your car, home and work.
In regards to Amazon and their store - I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Smaller labels are cool, but don't mean squat when people want something else.
By gypsie516 at 10:18 AM ON 05/24/07
My complaint with iTunes is that it requires an Apple-built device to play the music. Amazon.com has the right idea. Now, if only they can do that with their "Unbox Video" - wmv files are all right (except you Have to Have their player), but mpeg4/avi files are just as good, a trifle more compact and can be played on multiple devices.
By hellspark at 1:00 PM ON 05/24/07
Hi all,
I have a car CD player that will play AAC, a Pioneer, so you don't HAVE to have Apple hardware to play an AAC recorded track.
Also, in addition to iTunes, I use YourMusic (for Real CDs) and eMusic (independent labels, delivered as 192 vbr MP3s) for alternatives to iTunes. Your music delivers CDs starting at $6.99, and an eMusic subscription is $10 a month, allowing 40 downloads.
Hellspark
By Xerxes0002 at 9:43 PM ON 05/25/07
Amazon didn't start this, Apple did. Apple has announced that with EMI and the independents and hopefully more of the larger studios to follow it will have DRM free tracks (old news now). You can Thank Apple for pushing that through as they have wanted DRM free from the start. There are LOTS and LOTS of AAC players out there, look for mp4 audio.
By Xerxes0002 at 9:44 PM ON 05/25/07
Amazon didn't start this, Apple did. Apple has announced that with EMI and the independents and hopefully more of the larger studios to follow it will have DRM free tracks (old news now). You can Thank Apple for pushing that through as they have wanted DRM free from the start. There are LOTS and LOTS of AAC players out there, look for mp4 audio.
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Xerxes0002:
Amazon didn't start this, Apple did. Apple has announced that with EMI and the independents and hopefully more of ...More »