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Our Blogs The BeerFiles DRM-free Amazon MP3 to take on iTunes globally in 2008
Our Blogs The BeerFiles DRM-free Amazon MP3 to take on iTunes globally in 2008 | DRM-free Amazon MP3 to take on iTunes globally in 2008 |
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| by Stan Beer | |
| Monday, 28 January 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 Amazon is also going all out to make download purchases more for all-comers by not requiring buyers to install Amazon MP3 Downloader, its equivalent to the iTunes software. To purchase music from iTunes, users must first install iTunes software on a Windows PC, Mac or another Apple device capable of connecting to the Internet. Amazon MP3 only requires that a device can connect to the Internet and accept downloads using Amazon's shopping system, regardless of the operating system. Featured Whitepaper
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For Apple the Amazon push also comes at an awkward time for its music player business. Apple's latest earnings report showed that iPod sales growth is flattening as the market for portable music players matures. Some market watchers believe that the music companies could be in danger of simply replacing Apple's dominance in music downloads with Amazon - in essence swapping one 800 pound gorilla with another. However, it is more likely that the labels will try to fragment the downloads market using retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy, as well as helping to support the rumoured entry of Yahoo into music downloads. With Amazon MP3 and Yahoo said to be holding talks with the major labels to launch its own DRM-free music store, the pressure is on Apple to cut a deal with the big three music companies as soon as possible for DRM-free downloads on iTunes. However, that may be problematical given that the big three seem to believe that it is in their interests to try to break Apple's vice like grip on the retail music downloads business. Meanwhile, consumers around the world are waiting on further announcements to see how quickly Amazon is able to roll out its international music download service. |
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