Comment: Amazon MP3 Store

The launch of the UK version of Amazon's MP3 Store seems to have caught everyone on the hop - though ever since the US version was launched back in 2007 it had been on the cards, we'd long since stopped going to Amazon every day to look to see if it was there.

Amazon launches UK MP3 Store

But lo and behold, an early Christmas present arrived today, very quietly slipping under the radar for an hour before an eagle-eyed Web User staff member happened upon it.

Initial impressions are good. The four major record labels have signed up - though, admittedly, not that many independents - the tracks are free of pesky DRM technology so we can store them on however many devices we want, and the price structure is good too - tracks start at 59p and albums at £3.

And it isn't just the old, forgotten-about albums that cost £3 - you'll find the latest Kings of Leon and Seasick Steve albums down in the lower price bracket. For 59p, you can get the latest Take That and Beyonce singles.

Reaction: Amazon MP3 Store

Of course, a DRM-free catalogue isn't a first, and neither is having all four majors on board. However, given the size of Amazon and the familiarity of many UK consumers with it then Amazon looks to be in good shape to challenge iTunes, which now looks almost archaic with its proprietary formats and anti-piracy measures.

But given the fact that the iTunes Store has been around for so long - relatively speaking anyway - we'll soon see if brand loyalty will play a part in the music download market. Other services such as 7digital have been around for a while and not yet managed to significantly bother Apple on this front, so it will be interesting to see if Amazon can do it.

In the US - the only other country where Amazon currently sells MP3s - current statistics are hard to come by, though it is reckoned that Amazon has around five per cent of the digital music market. Given the amount of digital music sold in the US, this isn't insignificant - though it is hardly likely to be giving Apple nightmares. Just yet, anyway.

What do you think of the new Amazon MP3 Store for the UK? Have your say in the Web User forums.

http://mp3.amazon.co.uk

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