Amazon Optimizes MP3 Store for Mobile Safari to Attract iOS Device Users

[MacRumors]

Amazon today announced that it has optimized its MP3 music store for Safari on iOS devices, marking yet another step in the company's effort to eat into the iTunes Store's dominant position in the digital music market.

"Since the launch of the Amazon Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a top request from customers has been the ability to buy music from Amazon right from their devices. For the first time ever, iOS users have a way do that - now they can access Amazon's huge catalog of music, features like personalized recommendations, deals like albums for $5, songs for $0.69, and they can buy their music once and use it everywhere," said Steve Boom, Vice President of Amazon Music.

Features of the Amazon MP3 store on the mobile web browser include:

- The Amazon MP3 mobile website for iPhone and iPod touches is built on HTML5, which means customers can make purchases directly from the Amazon MP3 mobile website at www.amazon.com/mp3 on their iPhones and iPod touches
- Selection of over 22 million songs and over two million albums at everyday low prices
- Access to everyday deals like $5 albums, $0.69 songs, and free songs from artists on the rise
- Individualized recommendations based on purchase history
- Immediate availability and seamless playback of purchases in the Amazon Cloud Player app
- Free storage of all Amazon MP3 purchases in Amazon Cloud Player

Amazon's move to optimize its MP3 store for iOS devices comes over five years after the store debuted, but seems to be part of a renewed effort by Amazon to challenge the iTunes Store. The company has invested significantly in its Cloud Player services as a competitor to iTunes Match, and Amazon has just launched its new AutoRip feature to provide free digital versions of tracks purchased on CD, including for many orders dating as far back as 1998.

Article Link: Amazon Optimizes MP3 Store for Mobile Safari to Attract iOS Device Users

[STiNG Operation]

It takes a lot to get people to switch from what they like/know. People that have been using itunes since the beginning are used to the way it's done. Take att's exclusive contract with the iPhone, most people just stayed with att even though another carrier might be better.

[KdParker]

Originally Posted by STiNG Operation

It takes a lot to get people to switch from what they like/know. People that have been using itunes since the beginning are used to the way it's done. Take att's exclusive contract with the iPhone, most people just stayed with att even though another carrier might be better.

Easier access to purchases weather you are using an IOS device or windows would be a reason. Especially for people that only have a iPhone or iPad, but still use Windows OS for their home computing.

[FSMBP]

I wish Apple would allow downloading MP3s from websites/apps to integrate into iOS's Music app.

I buy music from Amazon all the time and I can't put it into my Music app without using my Mac. How can I use an iPad as a computer replacement if it can't even do that!

[notjustjay]

US only No help to the rest of us in other parts of the world.

[adamryan1983]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

US only No help to the rest of us in other parts of the world.

This.

[bdavis89]

Amazon often has better prices and deal compared to iTunes (in my experience). It works seamlessly as well. You just buy, download, and there is an option to automatically add the music to iTunes. If you buy on your phone, you can just use the Amazon mp3 app to play your purchased music. Saves money and isn't a huge hassle. Its a win in my book.

[Tankmaze]

US only? Hmm, itunes just launch to other 50 countries last december. Try to expand the market amazon!

[RenoG]

Originally Posted by bdavis89

Amazon often has better prices and deal compared to iTunes (in my experience). It works seamlessly as well. You just buy, download, and there is an option to automatically add the music to iTunes. If you buy on your phone, you can just use the Amazon mp3 app to play your purchased music. Saves money and isn't a huge hassle. Its a win in my book.

Agreed, Amazon has always been my my main goto source for music, especially since they was the first to offer the higher bit rate. Now that itunes has matched it its now a toss up. Is songs in itunes still protected, and limited to certain devices?

[fatboyslick]

Originally Posted by adamryan1983

This.

Indeed, there's loads of non-US readers of this site so please be more specific next time

[Mr. Retrofire]

Originally Posted by notjustjay

US only No help to the rest of us in other parts of the world.

Only U.S. iDevice users buy MP3. All others buy AAC- or ALAC/FLAC-files. ;-)

[gadgetguy03]

Originally Posted by FSMBP

I wish Apple would allow downloading MP3s from websites/apps to integrate into iOS's Music app.

I buy music from Amazon all the time and I can't put it into my Music app without using my Mac. How can I use an iPad as a computer replacement if it can't even do that!

I know what you mean. If I could integrate them with the songs already on my phone then this would actually be useful to me. I only use iTunes because of the consistency across all of my devices.

[LagunaSol]

Switch to AAC, Amazon, and we'll talk.

MP3 is so 1999.

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Switch to AAC, Amazon, and we'll talk.

MP3 is so 1999.

Given that MP3 is usable in far more devices, I'm not sure they would switch. Perhaps offer a choice.

[Yvan256]

Originally Posted by samcraig

Given that MP3 is usable in far more devices, I'm not sure they would switch. Perhaps offer a choice.

That was true until a few years ago, but most of today's devices are also compatible with AAC. Heck, a Nintendo DSi can play AAC but cannot play MP3.

[fiddlestyx]

Originally Posted by samcraig

Given that MP3 is usable in far more devices, I'm not sure they would switch. Perhaps offer a choice.

What devices are a large number of people using that don't support AAC?

Agreed though, having a choice of MP3 or AAC would be nice.

[pmz]

Originally Posted by samcraig

Given that MP3 is usable in far more devices, I'm not sure they would switch. Perhaps offer a choice.

Based on what selection of devices? Actually look into it and you'll find out you're utterly wrong.

It's been 10 years of AAC. Its everywhere.

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Switch to AAC, Amazon, and we'll talk.

MP3 is so 1999.

I don't really care. I download music from Amazon (if it is cheaper than the same music on iTunes), it downloads, goes into iTunes automatically, goes into iTunes Match automatically, and then I download again from iTunes Match on my Mac if I want to. It's available automatically on the iPad as well through iTunes Match (as 256 KBit AAC).

Originally Posted by samcraig

I stand corrected. After doing some searching it does seem that AAC is pretty ubiquitous. More so than I originally thought.

My wife's £30 Nokia phone plays AAC no problem. I think loading it with music was as simple as taking a memory card, plugging it into the Mac, dragging folders with music over, and putting the card in the phone.

Originally Posted by Karma*Police

It does work well, but it's still a bit of a hassle compared to browsing and buying directly from iTunes. The biggest problem I have with Amazon though is their use of MP3 instead of AAC which is noticeably inferior.

Usually it is about 240 KBit VBR. Which to my ears using Grado headphones is not noticeably inferior. It's not even noticeably different. And iTunes Match fixes this anyway.

Originally Posted by Tiger8

I am there with you. Over the holidays Amazon had the $2.99 per hot album deal. And throughout the years you get insane deals. Just this past year I got Frank Sinatra's greatest hits for 99 cents, the whole 18 track album. Now I am not a huge fan of Old Blue Eyes but for 99 cents I bought it, and discovered actually that I know most if not all of his songs.

That's nothing compared to the best iTunes deals I ever got: 100 songs by some 50's musician for £2.99. Turned out that six of the songs were actually defective, so I got six song credits, worth more than I paid!

[samcraig]

I think a lot of people still by from iTunes because of convenience (it's an app right on the device)

Also - No doubt iTunes Gift Cards are easy purchases for people with iDevices.

Not that Amazon Gift Cards aren't great (and I know Google Play has gift cards now too)

But -

When/if I get Amazon gift cards - I don't use them for consumables. I use them for merchandise

[tekstud]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Switch to AAC, Amazon, and we'll talk.

MP3 is so 1999.

For classical, country, folk. opera, and show tunes maybe.
Not so for rap, hip hop, acid rock, techno. etc.

[KiwiAdventure]

Once I've played a song a few times I never want hear again for ages. I like new music at 24 bit rate not the rubbish most listen too. The great thing about iTunes I can load 24bit music and listen to it at 24bit rate on my stero. If I need any of the 24bit music on my iPhone I upload it to iTunes Match and then down load it to my iPhone at 256.

I don't need thousands of songs I just wish Apple would sell music at 24bit rate if available.

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by FSMBP

I wish Apple would allow downloading MP3s from websites/apps to integrate into iOS's Music app.

I buy music from Amazon all the time and I can't put it into my Music app without using my Mac. How can I use an iPad as a computer replacement if it can't even do that!

Only a matter of time since Amazon just opened up that possibility iTunes will have to do the same to match that user convenience.

[gotluck]

Originally Posted by FSMBP

I wish Apple would allow downloading MP3s from websites/apps to integrate into iOS's Music app.

I buy music from Amazon all the time and I can't put it into my Music app without using my Mac. How can I use an iPad as a computer replacement if it can't even do that!

Another reason to jailbreak

...if one was available for iOS 6

Bridge allows importing into the music app.

[Tiger8]

Originally Posted by FSMBP

I wish Apple would allow downloading MP3s from websites/apps to integrate into iOS's Music app.

I buy music from Amazon all the time and I can't put it into my Music app without using my Mac. How can I use an iPad as a computer replacement if it can't even do that!

Use Amazon's cloud player, allows you to download or stream all your Amazon library. Your call

[Nickerbocker]

I love how I can shop around for digital music these days and am not locked into buying music from whoever I bought my "mp3 player" from. Great days for digital music these are.

Now, if only the movie industry would take notice and follow. I think they need to realize that pirates are going to be pirates, so you might as well make the best possible experience for the paying customers.