Amazon Can't Dent iTunes (Albums @ Amazon for $3.99)

WSJ ^ | 12/16/10 | ETHAN SMITH and GEOFFREY A. FOWLER

[SoFloFreeper]

On the day Apple Inc. rolled out the Beatles' catalog on its iTunes Store, Amazon.com Inc. fired back with a digital exclusive of its own: The latest album from rap-rocker Kid Rock—whose music still isn't available on iTunes—for just $3.99.

[SoFloFreeper]

I recently downloaded a double album from Amazon for $14 or $15...

[RayChuang88]

I think a big problem for Amazon--despite its success with the Amazon MP3 Download service--is that you need to have an external downloader program to make the download process work, something you don't need with iTunes and its in-program access and purchasing from the iTunes Store. Mind you, the Amazon downloader program automatically puts the music into the general Playlist of iTunes itself so you can easily sync it with an iPod, iPhone or even the iPad.

[Cincinatus]

I started using amazon.com MP3 downloads several years ago and am a very satisfied customer. I started using them because they did not have the incredibly annoying DRM restrictions on their tracks that Apple insisted upon (and still insists that I pay them extra to “upgrade” previously purchased tracks to DRM-free). I continue to use them because the offer a great many albums (especially classical back catalogues) that are not available on iTunes.

[Izzy Dunne]

Kid Rock - the Beatles killer?

45 years on, not even close.

[TruthSetsUFree]

How is Amazon using an external downloader program any different than iTunes requiring the use of the program iTunes to download?

I find it very easy to download music from Amazon, and if you use iTunes, the album or song shows up automatically in iTunes as soon as you open it.

Amazon also has tons of free music in the form of samples from various albums. Plus, I love how you can listen to parts of each song before committing to buy.

[RayChuang88]

Here's the thing: people who have studied using computers note that if a feature you want requires you to install a third-party program, the less likely you want to use it. And that's the rub against the Amazon MP3 Download service--you have to install Amazon's own downloader program in addition to running iTunes to make it work.

Meanwhile, because iTunes is a "soup to nuts" solution, you can buy and download the music without leaving iTunes itself. That's why most of the legal digital music downloads are done through iTunes.

[ez]

Rock's new song "Born Free" may be one of the most repetitive and banal songs I have heard. In a handful of clips, I have only ever heard the words "I was born free" repeated over and over. First he steals the music for "All Summer Long" from the classics "Werewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama" and then borrows the hook of his next release from the song and movie of the same title, sung by Andy Williams back in the 1970's. Not a lot of artistry to speak of...

[VanDeKoik]

The article makes no sense, as most Apple cheerleader articles seem to.

They are comparing the Beatles to Kid Rock, to prove what exactly?

[library user]

Well, he can’t complain of anybody “stealing” his music on Limewire and via Bit Torrent then. Because he’s doing the exact same thing, except worse. How ironic!!!

[ThomasSawyer]

The only reason I use I-Tunes software is to put music on a Shuffle someone gave me. Otherwise, I download my music from either Amazon or Napster and use Windows Media Player or Windows Explorer to put it on my Fuze. I can play those same MP3s on my home wireless players. I don’t have to worry about the music being in some sort of goofy proprietary format. I also don’t have to feel like I paid twice as much as I should have for an MP3 player because of it’s name. The aggravating thing is that Apple has been so successful at cornering the market that there is a very limited selection of accessories for anything not Apple.

[dangerdoc]

iTunes is the third party program I don’t want to run on my computer. I’ve downloaded music from Amazon without problem. When I run iTunes, it makes my entire system slow down and become unstable.

I don’t care who sells more music, I just hope Amazon sells enough to stay in business. I appreciate being able to buy good-quality, legal MP3 files without any DRM.

[Nick Danger]

When I run iTunes, it makes my entire system slow down and become unstable.

When I ran it, the roof blew off my house, the toilet backed up, and the dog fell over dead. That iTunes, it's bad.

[sand lake bar]

I don’t care for the song, but it’s cool in the video to see all those Michigan scenes, Pictured Rocks, etc.

[Red in Blue PA]

Agree.

Amazon rocks in every way.

I quit using itunes a long time ago and now am wholly on Amazon (for practically everything).

[metesky]

WalMart also has its own downloader. Works pretty well; $9 albums, less for older ones.

[SunTzuWu]

I think a big problem for Amazon--despite its success with the Amazon MP3 Download service--is that you need to have an external downloader program to make the download process work

iTunes IS the external downloader program. I prefer Amazon because the MP3 you download is free to be used on any MP3 player or computer. iTunes tries to take over all the music management on our computer and the tunes can only be heard through an apple product. (iTunes on your computer or an iPod, etc...)

[ConservativeByChoice]

I appreciate being able to buy good-quality, legal MP3 files without any DRM.

I refuse to purchase music if it has digital rights management. When Music Match shut down I could no longer listen to the files i had paid for. That wont happen again.

[RayChuang88]

I'd almost agree, but since I have:

3G iPod nano (8 GB teal blue case)
4G iPod nano (16 GB blue case)
4G iPod touch (32 GB)

My music management is done mainly through iTunes. As such, it's a bit of a minor hassle downloading music from the Amazon MP3 Download store unless iTunes is already running.

[PUGACHEV]

I honestly don't know what you are talking about. I download often from Amazon: once I select a song or album, I make a few mouse clicks, and the MP3 shows up on my hard drive in less than ten seconds. I then do whatever I want with it: put it on a stick and play it on my car radio, click and drop it to an MP3 player, burn it to a disc, or just leave it on my computer to play with Windows Media Player. I can make an infinite number of copies of the MP3 to suit whatever purpose I choose; I paid for it it's mine. I guess there is an installer in there somewhere but it has never gotten in my way.

[KarlInOhio]

What happens on iTunes if you lose your purchases through accidental deletion or a crashed disk? Amazon allows you one download and you have to rebuy if you lose your files (be sure to back-up).