Amazon to launch DRM-free iTunes competitor

Posted by Xeni Jardin, August 31, 2007 12:32 PM | permalink

Site is slated to launch in September. Link to NY Post article, where news broke, Link to somewhat more sober account over on Gizmodo.

posted in:

Favorite this!

Send this to a Friend

Older LA Weekly on the Source Family Sunset Strip love cult

Newer Premature Man Burning: not the first Black Rock City prankage

Discussion

Take a look at this

#1 posted by Anonymous , August 31, 2007 1:53 PM

How does Amazon get access to DRM free music when the labels won't give it to iTunes, and indeed, are trying to add DRM to some or all of what they offer?

I don't get it, but I hope it's true.

Take a look at this

#2 posted by Matt Eric , August 31, 2007 2:13 PM

It may be that they're discovering they dislike Apple, but are coming around on the drm-free thing. Remember, the iPod is the device that knocked Sony off the mobile music hill, and they may just be sick of dealing with Jobs.

Take a look at this

#3 posted by Anonymous , August 31, 2007 2:50 PM

I'm a huge music listener but I haven't yet jumped on the downloads bandwagon.

When, oh when, will someone launch a mainstream service with DRM free lossless tracks?

The first part is being taken care of, but the latter one still seems like a pipe dream.

Take a look at this

#4 posted by slawkenbergius , August 31, 2007 3:19 PM

I'd like to see iTunes take a kicking. Apple consistently annoy me with their products. Why make it a requirement that I install their software if I want to buy music from them?

Hopefully Amazon can manage things better.

That said, they'll probably want me to install some piece of software called Amazune.

Take a look at this

#5 posted by Anonymous , August 31, 2007 6:24 PM

I wonder if this means I could by mp3s in Korea from my Amazon account. Apple iTunes specifically does not work in Korea due to legal concerns, though I certainly have their computer.

Take a look at this

#6 posted by Parq , August 31, 2007 7:55 PM

It's a funny thing about mainstream; when everyone else likes what you like, it's kind of hard to find someone who has it and willingly gives it away. For those ready to delve into the non-mainstream, there are literally hundreds of DRM free files out there to download every week. Heck, even mainstreamers should check it out. Our good friends at Boogie Woogie Flu (shout-out to Boing Boing for introducing me to BWF) have put up Elvis, Dylan, even Springsteen.