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I know there has been a thread on this topic, but this was the first opportunity I had to try it. There seems to be a reasonably broad selection of music. The downloads are MP3 with a bitrate of 256k (most people can't distinguish CD quality from MP3 when the bitrate is 192k or above).
They are MP3, so there are no DRM issues. Everything isn't available, but a lot is including the Nano's current Feist anthem. Prices are mostly $0.89/song with albums averaging a bit below iTunes. Longer songs are either not available for download as singles (buy the album), or they are more expensive (I saw one for $1.35). The songs easily import into iTunes.
This is a winner my friends. I do not know if this service will hurt Apple significantly; people still need their iPods. However, I do know that Amazon.com has suddenly become a huge player in music downloads.
I'm buying AMZN on Monday.
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I, for one, do not believe that the lowest of their current prices will last. The record companies will jack them up as soon as they can. Not sure what that will do to Amazon's position.
It just is not credible that the record companies are suddenly embracing this pricing, after all their hissy fits about what Apple is charging.
I will be very surprised if we consumers benefit from this in the long run.
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I hope this is the end of DRM on music. Emusic is great, but with Amazon offering DRM free tracks, including major commercial releases, it is hard to see how the industry can continue to insist on it.
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I have to admit I like it too.
Although I would like to be able to buy multiple songs at a time without buying an album.
The stupid RIAA should have done this a decade ago when the public was clamoring for it, then they wouldn't be bitching about Apple today.
I don't know that I would rush out and buy AMZN stock because of it, though. As a service I like it, but that doesn't exactly mean it will translate to massive revenues for them.
*not investment advice
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They are DRM free, but they still tag your personal information on the metadata and that is upsetting some people (or will).
MP3 forever. ; )
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When they offer something I want, but don't have, I'll buy it from them.
However, I can't see how this will add anything significant to their bottom line. So, how does it affect the stock?
Apple uses ITS to service its iPod business.
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The record companies are going along with it in order to stick it to Apple. They aren't satisfied with the 70% plus per song that Apple is giving them, so they are getting a bigger cut from Amazon.
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FLAC me and marry me young.
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[quote ka jowct]It just is not credible that the record companies are suddenly embracing this pricing
Not to mention the lack of DRM.
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[quote richorlin]The record companies are going along with it in order to stick it to Apple. They aren't satisfied with the 70% plus per song that Apple is giving them, so they are getting a bigger cut from Amazon.
I wouldn't be surprised if you were wrong about this.
A bigger cut from Amazon would not work for Amazon at all given the economies involved.
I'll bet the RIAA are willing to absorb a huge loss from this venture if they think the end result will be a diminished Apple hegemony. Not that I think it's going to happen, mind you; Apple will sell iPods whether there is an ITMS or not. But the RIAA (well Edgar Bronfman mostly) think their content is King, and they are still living the dream where they rule the world are going to wake up and be back in full control of distribution of "their" (not the musicians') product.
