Ever since it debuted in 2007 with the idea that it was an “iTunes killer,” Amazon’s MP3 store has been a point of contention among audiophiles and digital consumers alike. Now that it’s been around a while, Amazon MP3 is finally coming into its own, and it’s finally emerging as a strong competitor to iTunes’ dominance of the digital download market.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to ditch iTunes and hop on the Amazon bandwagon, look no further, because we’ve got the only six reasons you need to switch.
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Better pricingiTunes recently increased its pricing model (you can thank the record labels for that), which has a lot of people upset. Amazon did, as well, but for some reason Amazon actually has fewer songs at the new $1.29 price, instead keeping most songs at $.99. Out of the top 25 downloaded singles on Amazon MP3, only a handful of tracks are priced higher than $.99. iTunes, on the other hand, has only a handful of $.99 pricetags in a sea of more expensive tracks. The math is simple: Cheaper songs equals less money spent over time. Not all iTunes tracks are $1.29, but many of the new, most popular songs are. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to check Amazon’s pricing before you buy a song on iTunes, check out this handy iTunes script called Advantageous. Available for Windows and Macs, Advantageous performs an Amazon MP3 search for you (from iTunes) so you can quickly check prices before shelling out your hard-earned dollars.
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Hotter dealsAmazon has always been known for hot deals and low prices, so of course Amazon MP3 is no different. Amazon’s Daily Deal is one of its best features. Every day, you can get a different album for a ridiculously low price. The Black Eyed Peas’ latest album, “The E.N.D.,” for example, came out on Amazon at a price of $4.99. If that’s not enough, Amazon also has a constantly changing selection of 50 MP3 albums for only $5. Seriously. If you want to stretch your buck, Amazon MP3 is the place to be. And if you’re too lazy to check the site everyday for its latest deal, just follow Amazon on Twitter (amazonmp3) for updates on daily deals and more smokin’-hot low prices.
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More compatibilitySo you’re addicted to Windows Media Player. Or you’re afraid that you can’t use iTunes with Amazon MP3. Rest assured, it’s not a problem. The site works seamlessly with iTunes AND Windows Media Player, so once you’re done downloading your music, it’ll automatically import it to the media player of your choice. Also, since Amazon tracks are MP3 format, you can use them with any other media player as well. So if you’re feeling retro and like to use Winamp or you’re feeling indie and would rather use Songbird, it doesn’t matter. You can still use the music just as easily.
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More freedomAmazon gives you your music in MP3 format, which means you can listen to it on any device that plays MP3s—not just iPods. Whether you’ve got a Zune or a music-enabled cell phone, your options are much wider when your music comes in a more widely compatible format. You also have the freedom to use them for other purposes, as well. If you have a personal website or blog, you can embed your Amazon MP3s into the site instead of having to download illegal copies through filesharing or torrents. And since your embedded files are in MP3 format, they’ll be more easily played by whoever is browsing your site, because MP3 is a more widely accepted format than Apple’s AAC and can be played on just about any computer, Mac or Windows.
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More accessibleHave you ever tried linking to a song or album in the iTunes store? It’s a huge pain. Amazon makes it easier by working completely within your web browser. There’s no need to use a special application (like iTunes) just to browse through music, so if you want to link to a song, simply copy and paste the URL from the address bar of your browser. Simple as that. And the in-browser experience is easier on your computer because it doesn’t require you to run another program and use up valuable computing power. Another plus: Chances are you already have an Amazon account, so you don’t have to create a new billing account or come up with a new password to get access to all the MP3s. Just log in with your existing information. Even Mom and Dad could do it.
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More optionsReal audiophiles will appreciate this one: Since the Amazon MP3 store is a part of the larger Amazon.com store, you have instant access to all of its products. This means that in addition to the ultra-modern digital downloads, you also have instant access to all of Amazon’s physical CDs and vinyl as well (both new and used). Can’t find something as an MP3? Want something with a better sound quality? Get physical and ditch the digital. iTunes doesn’t give you that option.
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