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JOE CASABONA
Computer Geek
Articles Posted: 21; Links Seeded: 4
Member Since: 11/2005Last Seen: 11/02/2008
Member Since: 11/2005Last Seen: 11/02/2008
28 Comments
PrintWhy Amazon Mp3 Will Get People to Pay For Music Again
News Type: Opinion — Fri Aug 8, 2008 7:42 AM EDT
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I'm a little bit surprised I haven't written about Amazon Mp3 before as I use it quite frequently. My main grip about services like iTunes, the Zune Marketplace, Napster, Ruckus, and nearly every other digital music outlet is that their songs are protected by some form of Digital Rights Management (DRM). You can only transfer them x number of times. You need a username and password to listen to them, or in the case of Ruckus, download for free (as a college student), but only listen to them on your computer. Yes, there was EMusic, but last time I checked their collect was not as diverse as I would have liked. But Amazon Mp3 changes all of that.
Amazon Mp3 offers a full line of music, underground and mainstream, completely DRM-free. It doesn't expire, there isn't a set number of transfers, play it on any Mp3 player as much as you'd like. This is the way digital music should be. If I have a CD, I can rip that onto my computer and do with it what I want. Why shouldn't digital music be the same. But beyond that, their deals are amazing.
Amazon Mp3 offers two types of deals I use regularly (and use twitter to follow): Daily deals, where for a day they will sell a digital CD significantly cheaper (like $2 or 3) and Friday 5, where from Friday until Monday, they pick 5 albums to sell for $5 a pop. Plus, setup couldn't be easier. Install their downloader, which links to your favorite music player, and when you download mp3s, they automatically get added to your music collection.
I really feel Amazon got digital music right. Freedom, easy of use, and low cost is everything I was looking for. If any online service will get me to stop buying CDs, it's this one.
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{"commentId":2398783,"authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
My main grip about services like iTunes, the Zune Marketplace, Napster, Ruckus, and nearly every other digital music outlet is that their songs are protected by some form of Digital Rights Management (DRM).
iTunes now sells some DRM-free music (iTunes Plus.) There are still DRM protected songs, but the list of DRM-free ones is growning.
Plus, setup couldn't be easier. Install their downloader, which links to your favorite music player, and when you download mp3s, they automatically get added to your music collection.
Is this mac compatible?
{"commentId":2398783,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
- 6 votes
#1 - Fri Aug 8, 2008 8:24 AM EDT{"commentId":2398814,"authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
{"commentId":2398938,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
I really like Amazon's MP3 service, I've been using it as well. I know of iTunes Plus songs, but the problem is that you've got to actively look for the tracks. There is nothing to say search for only iTunes Plus tracks. As well as the fact that the music is still in the AAC format, which, while it does show up on more and more devices, is not as ubiquitous as MP3. I believe Amazon got it right, but I do think there needs to be more advertising what they have.
{"commentId":2398938,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2399461,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
I believe Amazon got it right, but I do think there needs to be more advertising what they have.
I believe that Amazon is a great service. I think it rivals iTunes, which I happen to use, for a variety of reasons. With that said, I also firmly believe that the things that make Amazon *better* than iTunes are merely in place so that the record industry can break Apple's dominance in the digital music industry, and not with the consumer in mind.
I don't for a second believe that the better deal that you can get on Amazon *for the exact same music from the same bands* is because the labels suddenly had a change of heart. Else, why wouldn't they allow Apple to sell the same music, with the same lack of restrictions, at the same prices, which would *increase* their profits.
With that said, to give credit to anyone other than Apple for "getting people to buy digital music" is a major stretch. Apple has already done that, and to state otherwise is to ignore their current status and sales numbers. I also believe that Apple should get credit for the various label's decisions to sell unprotected tracks from major labels. It wasn't until Steve's open letter about DRM that we saw a loosening of restrictions from major labels on major bands and releases, and Amazon only exists to create competition for Apple, as I've said.
{"commentId":2399461,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2399473,"authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
{"commentId":2399832,"authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
As well as the fact that the music is still in the AAC format, which, while it does show up on more and more devices, is not as ubiquitous as MP3.
Actually its quite easy to convert from AAC to MP3 in iTunes.
First go to the Preferences pane, then under Advanced there will be a dropdown called import using change that to MP3 encoder.
Now when you right-click on a track you will have the option to Convert selection to MP3
This, however does not work on DRM-protected songs. but iTunes Plus ones should...
{"commentId":2399832,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2402221,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
Sure it is easy to convert, that I know. But when you do any encode-decode operations, you introduce a little bit more generational quality loss.
{"commentId":2402221,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2402612,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
Is this mac compatible?
Heck, it's even Linux compatible.
Anyway, the AAC format is a minor quibble for me. The main problem for me is the fact that I can't play protected songs that I legally own on my Linux box without burning them. That's why all of my future purchases are going to be from Amazon.
{"commentId":2402612,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2401111,"authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
Brian, yes iTunes lead the charge in digital music, but if you think Apple is willing to give up some of the control that they have over downloads with DRM, you're mistaken. It's just like how they impose restrictions in the iPhone SDK and apps store. Maybe they are offering some music DRM-free with iTunes-plus, but I doubt we'll ever see a fully DRM-free mp3 store from iTunes.
And Amazon might be eating up some profit to keep the music DRM-free, but that's also a significantly better user experience for its customers.
{"commentId":2401111,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
- 2 votes
#2 - Fri Aug 8, 2008 12:37 PM EDT{"commentId":2401132,"authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
if you think Apple is willing to give up some of the control that they have over downloads with DRM, you're mistaken.
That depends on what we are talking about. DRM for music, or their apps? Because from what I have seen, Apple is more than willing to go all DRM free on the music front. I think Movies and TV shows have their own shindig when it comes to protection, but yes Apple has a tight grip on the Apps DRM
{"commentId":2401132,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jdmiller82"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2401353,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
Brian, yes iTunes lead the charge in digital music, but if you think Apple is willing to give up some of the control that they have over downloads with DRM, you're mistaken.
No, I'm not. I'm not sure why you think this, or what you're basing it on. Apple has already agreed and expressed interest in getting rid of *all* DRM on the iTunes Store for Music, and as soon as some labels took them up on the offer, they did just that -- got rid of DRM, and even raised the quality of the music to boot. Other labels have refused to agree to that deal.
Apple has absolutely no reason to fear opening up their music, and hasn't had for at least 2-3 years. The iPod is going to sell one way or the other, and no one is close to even touching its popularity, and that would be the ONLY reason for Applet to have (at one point) feared opening up their music library. It simply is not an issue for Apple to be concerned with, at this point.
Still, I'm willing to hear your argument as to why Apple would be unwilling to "give up control" of its music. What do you see as the possible negative ramifications of Apple dropping DRM that would have them clinging to it? What numbers do you have to support your view?
And Amazon might be eating up some profit to keep the music DRM-free, but that's also a significantly better user experience for its customers.
You're ignoring my argument. I think Amazon was offered a *better* deal by the labels in order to create a competitor to the iTunes store. Amazon's quality is manufactured, and -- I would argue -- temporary. The labels are simply using Amazon for the time being. The labels didn't suddenly "see the light" about DRM free music. They now know that offering sweetheart deals to competing companies is their only hope for getting back in the game, years after they (stupidly) handed the ball to Steve Jobs and he schooled them.
Ultimately, Amazon doesn't offer *me* a better user experience, even when Apple's DRM is factored in.
I'm not in love with the DRM that exits on Apple's store, but I can state unequivocally that I've never been hindered by it. Your mileage may vary, of course. iTunes Plus tracks are far *more* convenient for me than Amazon's comparable DRM-free offerings.
{"commentId":2401353,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2402293,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
I have more than a few MP3 players that I use. And I love the fact that I don't have to use iTunes to deal with the movement of those files.
Just a question, but how can one DRM free file be more convenient than another?
Also, I didn't like that Apple charges more for DRM free files. Why should it cost more to have less overhead? If it's capacity or bandwidth, it's a moot point because with DRM'd files, you have to constantly phone home everytime you have a different computer or such.
{"commentId":2402293,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2402589,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
Aren't the iTunes Plus songs the same price now? I believe that the iTunes Store says that you get the DRM-free (and higher bit rate) automatically if the song is available in that form.
{"commentId":2402589,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2402694,"authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
{"commentId":2402829,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
AACs, which can only be played in iTunes
Misconception.
DRM-free AAC's can be played on the Zune, the Creative Zen, SanDisk Sansa, BlackBerry, PlayStation 3, Windows Mobile devices, etc. On the software side, Windows Media Player supports the format among others.
{"commentId":2402829,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2402975,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
While they did reduce the price from 1.29 to .99, they still require more money to basically remove the DRM from some of your songs once they are available as iTunes Plus.
{"commentId":2402975,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2403455,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
Just a question, but how can one DRM free file be more convenient than another?
Because, I find the design and implementation of iTunes to be easier to browse and purchase from, and music downloads directly to my playlists and works properly across my computers and various iPod's and my iPhone.
I think, and this is my opinion, that Amazon is offering them better alternatives by offering a more portable file- namely DRM free mp3s as opposed to DRM (and even DRM-free) AACs, which can only be played in iTunes.
Why do you think the record industry *likes* that? What has any industry executive stated in either words or in deeds over the last 10 years that makes you t
{"commentId":2403455,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2403815,"authorDomain":"jcasabona"}
{"commentId":2403935,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
Look, I *agree* that any reasonable organization would avoid doing things that hurt business, but suing your own customers in massive swaths based on blind IP addresses *also* hurts business, but you don't see them dropping that lead balloon, do you?
This isn't an industry which seems to care about doing what they SHOULD do to protect profits but what they THINK they need to do to protect a business model that they clearly don't know is dying.
In a general sense, I agree with you that Amazon's service is really great, for a lot of people. I simply disagree with some of your analysis, and I certainly think you're shifting Apple's success over to Amazon based on your headline.
{"commentId":2403935,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2406873,"authorDomain":"kirklennon"}
While they did reduce the price from 1.29 to .99, they still require more money to basically remove the DRM from some of your songs once they are available as iTunes Plus.
The additional costs associated with iTunes Plus tracks are ostensibly for the higher bit-rate.
For what its worth, a traditional iTunes track, with FairPlay, actually represents the most convenient option for me, of all mentioned, even better than iTunes Plus tracks. FairPlay has never once prevented me from doing what I wanted to with my music. I suppose it's preferable for it to not be there, but it's certainly not a real hinderance to me. I still like it when I see an iTunes Plus track (because DRM in music really does need to die), but I'm not actually a fan of the higher bit-rate. Thankfully, I'm not an audio-snob-"phile" and I can't tell any difference in quality. The songs sound the same, but take up twice the storage.
Just a question, but how can one DRM free file be more convenient than another?
AAC is a more "advanced" codec and offers better compression than MP3. In short, you can store more music of the same quality on a given player if you use AAC. It's like 25% more space, for free!
{"commentId":2406873,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"kirklennon"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2402150,"authorDomain":"msv"}
Not only are Amazon songs DRM-free, but often they are 89 cents. I rarely buy from iTunes anymore.
I do think they need to work on their store though. Its very integrated with, and similar to the rest of the (huge) Amazon site. It just doesn't have the same vibe as a dedicated music store. They seem to be treating MP3 downloads as just another product. If they were to make a slick, dedicated music store and advertise it as such, I think they would have more success.
{"commentId":2402150,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"msv"}
- 5 votes
#3 - Fri Aug 8, 2008 1:59 PM EDT{"commentId":2402397,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
I just find it easier to deal with Amazon than to deal with iTunes. There is more information on the screen so it makes it easier to go through.
Even if Amazon is only out there for competition, who isn't? Should iTunes be congratulated on its successful sales model? Sure. But it doesn't mean that things can't be improved upon. I've noticed also that some tracks on Amazon don't have an iTunes Plus equivalent. Why could this honestly be that the record company would require DRM on one, but not on the other.
I for one would like the downloadable music market to be more competitive. Everyone likes to price shop, and it sucks when you it can only be found in one place. But, and I accept that I'm going to hear some criticism on this, Apple tends to like this model and does not seem to want it to be wrested from it soon.
{"commentId":2402397,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 2 votes
#4 - Fri Aug 8, 2008 2:19 PM EDT{"commentId":2402619,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
Why could this honestly be that the record company would require DRM on one, but not on the other.
Because it benefits the record labels to get Apple out of the position of power. By building up competitors like Amazon at the expense of iTunes, it puts iTunes at a disadvantage (with an inferior product) and puts a little bit of power back on the label's side.
{"commentId":2402619,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2407518,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
But why would that not be news we've already heard about? Surely somebody most know about the machinations the record industry is trying to produce and could speak to some degree about it.
Also, and I know I'm going to get a little crap for this too, but I think the labels should have some of the power back. iTunes has long been the one stop shop and for someone to start producing a product on par with them is great. If you leave power with one group for too long, they will find a way to misuse it. Now we definitely know that the labels are less honorable than Apple, at least at this time, but it is nice to have a solid choice. I used eMusic for a while, but I got frustrated fighting against the catalog looking for music.
{"commentId":2407518,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
{"commentId":2407746,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
But why would that not be news we've already heard about? Surely somebody most know about the machinations the record industry is trying to produce and could speak to some degree about it.
I'm not sure there is any official doubt that this is the case, though. Record labels clearly have a love mostly hate relationship with Apple, and there's no questioning that they resent the power that Apple now commands in the digital music space. Sweetheart deals to other companies are clearly a part of that.
{"commentId":2407746,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2404255,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
I can't play iTunes songs on my Linux box. Well, I can. I can either boot into Windows, find a blank CD, burn it, and then spend half an hour trying to find the ID3 tag data, or I can use the free and most probably illegal El Tunes. And if I use El Tunes, I'll need to wait until Amarok2 comes out, because El Tunes is only compatible with GStreamer (which Amarok1.4 doesn't support).
Or, I could buy from Amazon.com.
I love their amazonmp3 Daily Deals too (I follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/amazonmp3)
{"commentId":2404255,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 4 votes
#5 - Fri Aug 8, 2008 4:41 PM EDT{"commentId":2404559,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
Oh, I certainly agree that iTunes isn't for *everyone* and that there are legitimate reasons to seek out alternatives for some people.
{"commentId":2404559,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":2404838,"authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
And I also agree that iTunes is definitely one of the easiest ways to buy music. I still recommend it for non-tech savvy friends.
{"commentId":2404838,"threadId":"328102","contentId":"1731210","authorDomain":"onlineapps"}
- 4 votes
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