News

AMMS?

or would it be AMDS? or how about AM3? Those acronyms could be for AMazon Music Store, Amazon Music Download Shop or simply Amazon Mp3. If rumours are right, we will have to get used to one of those names, or something pretty similar, and it will happen already right here in May.
Apparently Amazon, major bookseller on the internet, is setting off to open a music download store, getting ready to compete heavily with Apple's iTunes Music Store. Given the market dominance of itms, it would take a major player on the current www to be able to actually shake Apples golden egg. Since Google seems intent on trying to take as big a bite out of Microsoft as it can, Amazon could very well be the only one left big enough to actually take over some of Apples market share when it comes to music downloads.

So, what will Amazon be offering that sets it apart from it's competition? Well, it's all rumours and speculation (though pretty heavy rumours by now), but it appears that Amazon is ready to offer the customers DRM-free mp3 files, and the record labels variable pricing. Both of these features have been wanted from itms as well, but so far, Apple have appeared unwilling to grant variable pricing to the labels, and only recently have itms announced DRM-free mp3s for sale.
If the rumours are right, and Amazon will indeed open up shop before the end of the month, only time will tell of they can get enough ahead of Apple on these issues to be able to take a market share for themselves.