Amazon has officially launched its MP3 music download store in the UK through Amazon.co.uk. Like its US MP3 service, its entire library consists of DRM-free singles and albums covering all 4 major record labels and the leading independent labels. This means that its music will play on any MP3 player, such as the iPod, Sony Walkman, iRiver, etc. unlike several other online stores where the music can only be played on certain compatible players. For example, most music available on iTunes can only be played on an iPod and the DRM restricts playback to 5 PCs.
Amazon provides its "Amazon Downloader" software to automatically download and transfer songs to the user's iTunes or Windows Media libraries. For example, iTunes users can purchase music from Amazon and still have the downloaded music automatically transfer to their iTunes library to sync with their iPod.
Like its US service, the music prices vary from one song or album to another, with some of the major albums starting from £3 and songs starting from 59p. For example, the current top MP3 single "The Boy Does Nothing" by Alesha Dixon is priced at 59p. There are other singles that are priced higher than iTunes 79p flat price; however, the pricing flexibility is the main reason the major labels agreed to go DRM-free with certain online stores including Amazon.
It will be interesting to see how well Amazon MP3 catches on in the UK, especially with iTunes known for selling its songs higher priced than its European stores (although this is no longer the case with the weak Sterling). While Irish customers are able to buy non-electronic goods from Amazon such as CDs, DVDs and so on, I have been able to confirm that this MP3 service is not available to Irish consumers at this time.
