Amazon #2 Online Retailer Behind iTunes

[MacRumors]

USAToday reports that Amazon has managed to take the #2 spot amongst digital music retailers behind iTunes with their MP3 Store. No sales numbers have been released, so it's difficult to gauge exactly how close a competitor Amazon is becoming.

This information comes from the four major labels who played their part in making it so. Amazon has been provided access to a larger number of unprotected music from the major labels to stock their MP3 Store.

Apple now has 2 million songs from EMI and independent labels available without DRM, out of its 6 million-song catalog. Amazon offers 4.5 million DRM-free songs.

For its part, Amazon has done well providing seamless integration with Apple's iTunes software on the Mac.

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[iPoodOverZune]

competition is good

[Eidorian]

Sexy iTunes integration and MP3s. What's not to like?

[diehardmacfan]

booooo go iTunes. Amazon cannot get into first!!!

[Frisco]

I love Amazon, but still get my downloads from iTunes, at least for now.

[Brianstorm91]

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Sexy iTunes integration and MP3s. What's not to like?

Er, being able to get them here in the UK'd be a start.

[xUKHCx]

Originally Posted by Eidorian

What's not to like?

This

Please note that Amazon MP3 is currently only available to US customers.

Although iTunes doesn't have that larger world reach but is certainly a lot better than Amazon.

[TXCraig]

Do all of the media companies just hate Apple? Amazon has more music ALL DRM free and they have only have been doing this a year or so. Amazon also has 4 times the number of moves for rent as Apple. Amazon also has TV show rentals unlike iTunes.

How can Amazon wheel and deal with the media companies but Apple always seems to have trouble with this....

[LeviG]

But how many of these sales would have been through itunes if the record companies had been fair (yeah I know not likely) and given the same amount of drm free tracks to Apple. The only reason apple isn't getting these sales is purely out of spite from the record companies, having realised that the consumer doesn't want drm after trying to enforce it for so long.

[Fuzzy14]

Originally Posted by TXCraig

How can Amazon wheel and deal with the media companies but Apple always seems to have trouble with this....

Despite Steve Jobs being the founder of Pixar and on the board of Disney?

[Surely]

Is Amazon's pricing the same as iTunes' pricing? Do they typically offer their albums for the same or less than iTunes?

I did a few quick searches:

Juno soundtrack: iTunes $9.99, Amazon $8.99
Ashtray Rock: iTunes $9.99, Amazon $8.99
Mothership: iTunes $13.99, Amazon $12.99

Does Amazon tack on taxes, or if it says $8.99, it's $8.99?
Are they typically cheaper than iTunes, or was I just lucky in my choices?

Hmmmm..........

[yg17]

I've found Amazon to be the same, if not cheaper, than iTunes. Plus, it's DRM free, MP3, and higher sound quality. Screw iTunes, I'll keep using Amazon for all of my music purchasing needs.

[MacVault]

Amazon MP3 Store is Awsome!... MP3 format, lots for $0.89, and best of all it's DRM-free!!!

[Drumjim85]

Originally Posted by Surely

Is Amazon's pricing the same as iTunes' pricing? Do they typically offer their albums for the same or less than iTunes?

I did a few quick searches:

Juno soundtrack: iTunes $9.99, Amazon $8.99
Ashtray Rock: iTunes $9.99, Amazon $8.99
Mothership: iTunes $13.99, Amazon $12.99

Does Amazon tack on taxes, or if it says $8.99, it's $8.99?
Are they typically cheaper than iTunes, or was I just lucky in my choices?

Hmmmm..........

-it's cheaper (compare to itunes +, not just normal itunes)
-it's drm free
-it's a higher bit rate

[twoodcc]

yeah, competition is good in this case. hopefully Apple will respond well

[greendragon]

this is bad! anybody who buys music from amazon, who is an user, should feel GUILTY!!



i am FAITHFUL!!

[joeconvert]

Originally Posted by LeviG

But how many of these sales would have been through itunes if the record companies had been fair (yeah I know not likely) and given the same amount of drm free tracks to Apple. The only reason apple isn't getting these sales is purely out of spite from the record companies, having realised that the consumer doesn't want drm after trying to enforce it for so long.

no kidding. Not bad enough these guys got the DMCA. This practice should be illegal. Clearly not driven by "piracy concerns" if they will give Amazon unencumbered formats.

[Surely]

Originally Posted by greendragon

this is bad! anybody who buys music from amazon, who is an user, should feel GUILTY!!



i am FAITHFUL!!

I really really hope that the above quote was meant to be sarcastic. I really really hope.

[Drumjim85]

Originally Posted by Surely

I really really hope that the above quote was meant to be sarcastic. I really really hope.

i wouldn't be so sure ...

[aaarrrgggh]

Originally Posted by greendragon

this is bad! anybody who buys music from amazon, who is an user, should feel GUILTY!!



i am FAITHFUL!!

Apple doesn't need iT(M)S to be successful, as long as the alternatives are iPod compatible. This is almost assured if the tracks are DRM free. It might ultimately be in the music consumer's best interest to give more business to Amazon-- if the labels take DRM-Free music away, just stop buying.

[Toe]

Originally Posted by Surely

I really really hope that the above quote was meant to be sarcastic. I really really hope.

Mac mania is a Spectrum disorder.

[elppa]

Hopefully the record labels will all give Apple DRM free music like they do Amazon. It's a bit petty and not really fair in my eyes.

[nagromme]

My preferences: fast, easy searching/buying, and best price. iTunes has the former by far (Amazon chokes without warning when buying multiple singles at once, and search speed/elegance is no contest), while Amazon has the latter: I get my singles for less. That comes to a tie for me. I'm glad to have both options, and Amazon integrates pretty well with iTunes.

So format and quality is what determines my choice. In order from best to worst:

1. 256k DRM-free MP4/AAC (iTunes Plus)
2. 256k DRM-free MP3 (Amazon)
3. 128k DRM-locked MP4/AAC (iTunes non-Plus)
4. 128-192k DRM-free MP3 (various)
5. Any non-Apple DRM (Apple's terms are quite good)
6. A poke in the eye with a fondue fork
7. Microsoft DRM-locked WMA (Plays For Sure In Certain Circumstances)

I'm willing to pay the 10 cents to get #1 over #2, but I gladly shop at Amazon when iTunes Plus doesn't have what I want. And then my last resort is to buy from regular iTunes if Amazon doesn't have it.

[lowbatteries]

I absolutely love my Xbox Media Center for playing tunes from multiple windows and mac computers in the house, so I buy DRM-free any chance I can. Apple needs to hit #1 retailer, and then throw their weight around to make DRM-free THE STANDARD.

[pyramid6]

Originally Posted by nagromme

My preferences: fast, easy searching/buying, and best price. iTunes has the former by far (Amazon chokes without warning when buying multiple singles at once, and search speed/elegance is no contest), while Amazon has the latter: I get my singles for less. That comes to a tie for me. I'm glad to have both options, and Amazon integrates pretty well with iTunes.

So format and quality is what determines my choice. In order from best to worst:

1. 256k DRM-free MP4/AAC (iTunes Plus)
2. 256k DRM-free MP3 (Amazon)
3. 128k DRM-locked MP4/AAC (iTunes non-Plus)
4. 128-192k DRM-free MP3 (various)
5. Any non-Apple DRM (Apple's terms are quite good)
6. A poke in the eye with a fondue fork
7. Microsoft DRM-locked WMA (Plays For Sure In Certain Circumstances)

I'm willing to pay the 10 cents to get #1 over #2, but I gladly shop at Amazon when iTunes Plus doesn't have what I want. And then my last resort is to buy from regular iTunes if Amazon doesn't have it.

This sums it up nicely. ACC>MP3 but 256>128. No DRM greatest of all. I only have $100 of DRM's songs left.

P6