Amazon's DRM-free MP3 store goes international with quiet UK opening

By our calculations, December isn't exactly "near" June, but it seems the rumors from long, long ago were at least somewhat factual. Without any fanfare whatsoever, Amazon has quietly fired up its MP3 store over in the UK, marking the first time the e-tailer has sold jams outside of the United States of America. The page doesn't look all that dissimilar to the one we Americans have grown used to, and of course, every one of the three million 256kbps MP3 files are DRM-free. At first glance, we're already seeing some tasty singles for £0.59 ($0.86) and whole albums for £3 ($4.39). Looks like it's about time to open that digital wallet, UKers.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[Robotochan @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:24AM]

I wonder if we'll be getting an update on our G1s so we can use this?

[Chris Boyle @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:06AM]

T-Mobile have said on their forums that they're planning an update in December/January, but didn't say what would be in it, as far as I know.

[Robotochan @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:19AM]

Thanks for the info! I hope it includes the messenger clients that are missing but referenced in the contacts!

[iEye @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:25AM]

Ha!

the entire iPod family is in that lineup!!!

[OCEAN 'CLAK' 20th @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:11AM]

'i' agree

[David @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:34AM]

The point being, iTunes can sync to iPods and iPods only, Amazon...just works

[Hawkman @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:50AM]

"Amazon...just works"... Well, if you don't mind a bit of hassle. I'm quite open to the idea of another store, especially a cheaper one, but I just won't use it unless it at least approaches the convenience of the iTunes store. I'm a lazy guy...

[roidm12 @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:36PM]

And here we have the core itunes consumer: someone who is willing to pay more for an inferior product solely because of laziness.

[David @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:03PM]

@ Hawkman
Actually, the things that I have purchased through Amazon have gone directly into my iTunes "Purchased" playlist and it's added to a separate folder, but depending on how you have ur iTunes organized, it can be moved automatically to the "correct iTunes location"...hence...just works

[RyanTV @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:45PM]

Amazon mp3s are DRM free so they work just fine with the iPod family of players... why wouldst they be included in the image seeing that they hold such a large market share?

[BuddyBoy @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:30AM]

£3 an album, I approve.

[Dopefish @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:59AM]

I know, thats crazy cheap! for the convenience and the guaranteed quality, it might convert me from using rapidshare for music.

[Brian @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:04AM]

And because of the search facility you can find the same song for different prices so you can always find the ultra cheap version on a compilation album.

[heffeque @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:55PM]

I'm wondering... will I be able to download music from other European countries? In the European Union (UK is in it) there's a free market policy so anything sold in any country in the EU should be allowed to be bought from any EU country. If not... I hope the EU commission puts their hands on it sooner than after.

[heffeque @ Dec 4th 2008 3:16AM]

Hmmm... :-/

"Important Message
We're sorry. We could not process your order because of geographical restrictions on the product which you were attempting to purchase. Please refer to the terms of use for this product to determine the geographical restrictions. We apologize for the inconvenience."

I hope the EU gets their hands on this fast.

[KIFF @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:40AM]

256kbps? No way. Most CDs costs only a couple of quid more with free delivery.

[Jose Mendonca @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:48AM]

So a couple of quid more, times lets say 50 albuns, that is a lot of a 'couple of quid' more.

[Dopefish @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:57AM]

Plus I wouldn't get a CD delivered within a few minutes, would I?

[Alpinerover @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:10AM]

It's better than most iTunes songs though, which is a start.

[KIFF @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:57AM]

Well I do agree that it offers much better value than iTunes. Still, if they offer lossless for even a higher price I may consider but right now I'll hold onto CDs just for the ability to rip at any format/bitrate I want. Remember, NIN is selling Ghosts I-IV as a digital release for only US$5 and you can get them in either 320kbps MP3, FLAC and ALAC.

[Denver_80203 @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:52PM]

I'm been seeing 320kps from them.
Last CD I bought was the new Beck. Probably the last one I ever buy. While I was waiting 3 days for delivery I could have downloaded it in 30 seconds. When I got it I ripped it. Then it goes in a pile someplace never to be seen again. Why do I want the CD again??

Amazon MP3 is wonderful... if anything it's too easy. in minutes I could spend 50$ without thinking much of it (and I do)

[KIFF @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:30PM]

"Why do I want the CD again??"

If MP3 is ever surpassed? When you decide you want to go lossless? There are plenty of reasons why CDs may proof useful.

[Paul @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:44AM]

So when is it coming to Canada? There are no drm free stores here, and I can't find any music taht works on my Zune.

[David Lomax @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:59AM]

Puretracks.ca has a lot of DRM-free stuff that works on my Zune. It doesn't have everything, but it's heading that way...

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:19PM]

I've been keeping an eye out for "iTunes Plus" DRM-Free songs. They're completely Zune compatible, and when placed in the appropriate Zune-monitored folder, are automatically added. Too bad most of iTunes music ISN'T DRM-Free..

Simple solution.

Zune Marketplace needs to come to Canada. Now.

[RyanTV @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:45AM]

Amazon MP3 Store > iTunes

256 is really good quality (though 320 would be nice) and if you only want a song or 2 from an album it's perfect. :)

[breaklaw @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:47AM]

7digital>Amazon MP3>iTunes

7 digital has 320kbps default. They also tend to have better album prices and have worked in the US, UK and other countries for months now.

[Titchard @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:46AM]

£3 an album - publicity stunt or are they going to all be this price?

I doubt they will but I do like the flexible pricing - just wish I could get over the materialistic why I prefer to have the physical album!

Rich

[Oli D @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:32PM]

what does it cost them...
everyones used to the Itunes standard 79p because apple said
how much can we get away with paying artists?
how much will it cost us in servers and power?
how much profit do we want?

And thats called standardization.

[grantalias @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:49AM]

That's great! When are they opening the store in Canada?

[chipotlehero @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:51AM]

As soon as you can figure out how to connect via a proxy that's in the U.S. IP range.

[BuddyBoy @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:11AM]

I suspect you need a UK credit card too

[David @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:50AM]

All I can say is to post this up
http://xkcd.com/488/

[Oli D @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:34PM]

hehe, someone should save xkcd fans a lot of time and effort and write some code to automatically select an appropriate comic for the article.

[David @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:50PM]

It's actually pretty easy, I just searched DRM xkcd

[engadget @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:52AM]

That's spooky - I was just thinking they announced it was going to be this year and nothing had materialised, and here it is.

Better late than never!

[gear @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:55AM]

Here is a link to a script that lets you shop on itunes and buy on Amazon.
http://www.advantageousmp3.com/

[Dopefish @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:01AM]

Haha thats so good!

Use iTunes to find it, but get it off Amazon, genius!

[a ham sandwich @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:14AM]

the killers rule! i bought that album from amazon mp3 for 4 fricken dollars!

so lets see

iTunes:
-128kbps AAC
-$11.99
-DRM

Amazon
-256kbps MP3
$3.99
-No DRM

did i make the right choice?

[Aaron @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:27AM]

Good work, Amazon!

[Erv @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:00AM]

Amazon is a role model the music industry should take notice of....HELLO RIAA are you listening

[iEye. @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:59AM]

I LIKESORZ!!!!!!!!

[TOM S @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:08PM]

YES Finally!

I am officially off iTunes for music now.
If only amazon could open an appstore...and intergrate into my iPod Touch.

Ah pipe dreams

[Brad @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:18PM]

I'll give you three guesses who's stopping them from doing it...

[Luke D @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:09PM]

I see a lot of criticism being directed at iTunes but I hope most of you realise that you're playing right into the RIAA's plans.

Saying iTunes sucks because of DRM is true but not exactly fair as it is the labels that aren't allowing Apple to go DRM-free so as to push more consumers towards alternative music stores (like Amazon) and reduce Apple's market share and bargaining power. Apple has used their bargaining strength to force a flat rate of US$0.99 per song with no tiered pricing and to prohibit complete album only sales - so I'd say they've used their leverage for the good of consumers.

[Denver_80203 @ Dec 3rd 2008 1:58PM]

I just went through 5 albums I bought from Amazon in the last couple days. Some released last week some released in the 80's.

ALL of them are 320kps.

and I can play them on anything I choose, thank you very much.

[Steven Bates @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:03PM]

7 Digital is much better the music comes in up to 320kbps and also flac for some titles and it's truly and international store unlike both Amazon stores that have geographical restrictions,i find not being able to buy downloads from them strange when i can still buy the cds and get them shipped out.

[Mark @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:09PM]

Yet..Canada is STILL fucking screwed when it comes to buying digital music.

Opening it up to Canada would be a WHOLE LOT EASIER, considering we are on the SAME FUCKING CONTINENT.

Seriously, what is Amazon's hang up with selling DRM-Free music to people in Canada? Are we not a "big enough" market with 30 million people here?

[Michel @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:27PM]

I'm in Canada and I was told (second hand mind you) that we don't have these things or little of them (Zune Marketplace, Amazon mp3, PSN Movies, and so on) because apparently, distribution contracts for music and movies are negotiated on a title by title basis up in here in Canada.

Apple apparently has enough clout to get things going with iTunes but it took some time, but the rest takes forever. I guess Amazon and Microsoft prefer not to open up their stores until they have negotiated enough contracts to make it worthwhile.

Yet, everyday I search the interwebs hoping to see "Amazon mp3 available in Canada" or "Zune Marketplace in Canada". And everyday I'm disapointed and bitter to find nothing.

[Tubes @ Dec 3rd 2008 2:53PM]

AmazonMP3.com is an awesome music site and has pretty much weened me off of the iTunes Store completely. Not only because of the DRM, but because of the variable pricing. Yes, that's right. The variable pricing is awesome because I'm able to get a song for 89 cents up to $1.90 (for songs that are longer in time - i.e. 15 minutes). The songs that are more expensive aren't available on iTunes at all unless you purchase the entire album. On top of that, yesterday I just purchased the entire new album by The Killers for $4 on Amazon MP3 - whereas iTunes only sells the version with a music video and forces you to pay $12.

Another site that's been treating me well is Lala.com, since it lest you listen to the entire song once - instead of just 30 second samples. Plus their variable pricing is sometime better than AmazonMP3. Heck, I can get songs from Lala for as low as 79 cents! Who says variable pricing doesn't work for the consumer?!

My point being, I left iTunes not because I hate it, but because they've stopped innovating on the side of the consumer - at least when it comes to music. Even taking a comparison with Zune's diverse music store options makes iTunes pale. iTunes has great exclusives, but they're no longer has the ability to hold the title as "Best Music Store" just because they're the biggest.