Another day, another so-called challenge to iTunes emerges. This time Amazon launched the Amazon MP3 service which is supposedly going to give iTunes a run for its money. I don't think so. Despite Amazon's big brand recognition and topnotch technology Amazon is serving up a warmed over version of yet another "me to" digital download service that can't hold a candle to Apple's polished and mature iTunes.
Every week this summer it seemed yet another "iTunes challenger" came forward and let me down. Just recently it was the free music via ad-supported music and video service SpiralFrog. It followed a long precession of proclaimed iTunes challengers Nokia Music Store, Fox and NBC's Hulu (set for launch in October), and Verizon Online Music Store. Shall I go on?
I've been keeping tabs, and so far iTunes is still way ahead of the pack.
For Amazon's part it announced it digital download store, Amazon MP3, on Tuesday and began offering access to a beta version of the service. Amazon MP3 offers over 2 million DRM-free songs to start with priced between 89 and 99 cents. Amazon is angling for a piece of the digital download market. It needs to as CD sales shrink and more people download tracks a' la carte from iTunes and alike.
However, what Amazon and other iTunes wannabes seem to fail to appreciate is what iTunes does beyond music. Sure iTunes has its flaws and some of its prices for music are more expensive with compared to "iTunes challengers." Wal-Mart, for example, just started selling DRM-free music charging 94 cents per track compared to iTunes which charges roughly $1.29 for a comparable DRM-free track.
But the iTune's platform is as nearly as intuitive to navigate and easy to use as its smartly designed iPod. The iTunes storefront lays it all out for to see, discover, and find. Search results deliver most popular music tracks, show you the albums available for download, link to artist-related podcasts, videos, and ringtones.
By contrast, I took a look at the beta Amazon MP3 and am not impressed. I would of expected more from Amazon given its considerable high profile, cool technology, and deep pockets. Amazon just doesn't appear to be trying.
I ran a search using Amazon MP3 for Ben Harper and received a laundry list of available tracks for download accompanied by ads alongside the search results to buy a Ben Harper CD. At the top of the search results is a way to sort Ben Harper-related content. The sorting option did not allow me to sort by album, song title, or artist. Rather Amazon let me search by "low to high" price and "high to low."
Those types of search results are fine when you're looking for stereo speakers and prices vary widely, Amazon MP3 digital track are priced at either at 89 or 99 cents. Search options and sorting capabilities in Amazon MP3 were disappointing.
iTunes, on the other hand, allows you to filter search results by album, song, artist, genre, and popularity.
I'm also left scratching my head wondering why Amazon decided not to integrate its digital music download service with its video download service called Amazon Unbox. Why not bring music, videos, and audio books under one roof? And while Amazon is at it, why not combine the Amazon CD Store and DVD Store?
There is not a lot of cross pollination within Amazon and its stores-inside-a-store offerings. Amazon would be well suited to offer related digital tracks of artists when searching for a CD, video, or even a book and vice versa. That is not happening now.
Apple on the other hand has built the Amazon.com of download-able digital content. It offers music, movies, TV shows, music videos, podcasts, ringtones, and audio books. Amazon would be well served by not treating CDs, DVDs, downloadable videos and music as four different things and instead treat them as one.
Amazon has the knowhow and resources to be Apple iTune?s biggest competitor. Maybe someday it will be. But for now Amazon offers a kludge solution for those interested in shopping for available CDs, videos, or downloadable music track of their favorite recording artists.
Last night I gave Amazon's new mp3 download service a try. I bought 3 albums paying $6.99 for 2 of them and $7.99 for another. I found it very easy to use. The music downloaded quickly and was encoded using a nice high VBR 256 bitrate.
As expected, I was able to easily transfer the music to my iPod and it played back with no problems at all.
I'm quite pleased and definately plan to purchase more soon!
While I appreciate that iTunes is currently slightly easier to use, I prefer the lower price and higher quality that I get by puchasing from Amazon.
I ordered my 1st album through AmazonMP3 and found the service very easy to use, the downloads were at max speed (for my fast cable connection), and all tracks were properly encoded with song, track, album art, and other info. I prefer higher encoding, NO DRM, and cheaper songs over iTunes "ease of use". iTunes will now HAVE to go all DRM & lower its prices. Competition is GOOD.
Oops...I meant to say 'iTunes will HAVE to go all DRM-free..."
i can't stand iTunes. I only started using download software a few months ago (yes i tend to be 2 years behind technology in some ways) but I find iTunes not at all easy to use (I can never figure out how to create the playlists i want, etc - not intuitive) and it really irritates me that I basically have to copy tracks onto a CD then back to my computer to use them. In addition anybody complaining how wonderful Apple is and how monopolistic Microsoft is should consider the fact that iTunes still won't sync to anything but an iPod - which i don't have. Unfortunately for everyone, iTunes has a far better selection of music than any of the other services (I use Yahoo Jukebox and Napster) and so until that changes i'm stuck. Dammit.