September 23rd, 2008
Amazon MP3 Readies for the T-Mobile G1 Launch
By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews
Let’s not let the fact that the device hasn’t even been officially introduced yet slow us down, shall we? On Tuesday, prior to the introduction of the T-Mobile G1 (AKA the HTC Dream or Google’s first Android phone), Amazon confirmed rumors of a built-in app on the device which allows access to and purchase from the Amazon MP3 store directly on the phone.
Amazon’s music is all MP3, and thus all DRM-free, from all four major labels as well as independents. The rumored application had been nicknamed “AndroidTunes” by some.
While browsing, searching, sampling and buying can all be done over a cellular connection, according to the press release, downloading requires a wi-fi connection:
The T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with an Amazon MP3 application, giving customers a phone-optimized version of the Amazon MP3 store and the immediate gratification of buying and playing their favorite music. Amazon MP3 has worked to make its DRM-free music available through numerous products and services, such as Pandora MySpace Music, and now Android and T-Mobile G1.
Downloading music from Amazon MP3 using the T-Mobile G1 requires a Wi-Fi connection but searching, browsing, listening to samples and buying MP3s can be done wherever customers are connected to the T-Mobile network. Downloaded MP3s can be played anytime on the T-Mobile G1, PCs, Macs or any other MP3 music player.
The best thing about Amazon MP3’s music, as I keep emphasizing to anyone who will listen, is the DRM-free MP3 format. Even if you buy DRM-free music from iTunes it’s still AAC format. Thus, I generally steer people toward Amazon MP3.
However, iTunes’ dominance lies not just in the iPod / iPhone devices but in the ease of buying. You already have iTunes installed on your PC, making it easy to buy.
So, if the G1 and descendents take off, will this app make a real impact, because it makes it easier to buy? This could be the “vehicle” that drives Amazon MP3 to iTunes level, because now Amazon MP3 will have a similar method to drive people to the store. And once people figure out the benefits of DRM-less music, this might actually become a battle.
The real war won’t start until more devices come out. And the stranglehold that iTunes has on the marketplace is still a big obstacle, even with this new system.
This could be fun.
LZW says:
I don’t own a cell phone so maybe I just don’t “get it” but I don’t understand why anyone would want to listen to music on a phone. Isn’t that like when they put you on hold and elevator music starts playing over the phone? (except now you can pick a song you like)
I get the DRM free MP3 stuff… I’ve been against DRM since it’s inception, whether in music or software!
What I like to do with my MP3’s is plug the soundblaster card output into the home stereo auxillary input. It’s a big stereo with real big speakers so the neighbors get pissed if I turn it up to loud but high bit rate MP3’s sound as good on it as any store bought music CD.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm