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Amazon.com Builds DRM-Free MP3 Download Store

By: Grahm Skee on May 16, 2007 10:41 PM

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Amazon.com announced today that it is gearing up to launch an online music download store filled exclusively with DRM-free MP3s later this year. Reported to offer millions of songs from 12,000 record labels, EMI included, the as-yet-unnamed store will allow customers to play purchased songs (individual tracks and full albums) on absolutely any DAP or other MP3-supporting device as well as burn the songs to CDs.

The bitrate and prices of the music Amazon will be serving up have not been disclosed, but if the company is looking to slice into the Apple pie, both had better be good. What do you think: at least 192kbps at a max price of 99 cents apiece?

[News Release | Yahoo! News]

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Comments

e260 on May 17, 2007 1:31 AM

Good on Amazon for fighting DRM like this. It's big!

Matt on May 17, 2007 7:25 PM

Yeah, Amazon is on to something massive here. They have one of the largest online 'active' databases of users. I believe they will combine this download store with hard format (CD) purchases somehow. Buy the download, get the CD for $5 or buy the CD, get the download for $5? That's where they have a HUGE advantage over apple. itunes had it's peak and the competitors are ready!!!

Don on May 30, 2007 7:40 PM

iTunes offers 99 cent songs at 128kbps, I think 192kbps is a bit too much to ask for when most DRM free music stores offer their songs for $1.25 at 128kbps..

Barry Ward on June 11, 2007 3:32 AM

Whilst I welcome any drm-free music options, I am put off by it being in mp3 format. It is old and inferior to Aac. I am new to iTunes ever since iTunes Plus started (which is the name of the drm-free EMI tracks available). The Plus tracks are Aac format at 256Kbps, and are exceptional quality. Mp3 is old hat now I'm afraid.
However, I do commend Amazon for going down the drm-free route.

scru on September 25, 2007 8:03 PM

Well it's out now. 256k, but not available outside the U.S. Living in a third world country sucks. But then again, I can still buy the CDs. Which really is the ideal thing for me anyway (just sucks that I can't grab the singles)

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